Blackburn Market will open for trading on Sunday 14th September when customers are invited to join in with line-up of free history themed activities and event as part of the town’s heritage festival. As well as the market being open all weekend there will be a selection of sampler stalls next to a pop up bandstand on the Cathedral green. This will create a ‘mini-Blackburn Market’ for visitors who may not have been to the market to get a taste of the specialist food and drink offers and the friendly customer service available.
Over 100 events and activities will take place at 50 different venues with lots happening around the market. Alex Fisher, Lancashire clog dancing expert will be hosting a line-up of cloggers and live musicians outside the bottom of Church Street entrance where there will be a display of steam engines presented by Blackburn based specialists, Heritage Painting.
On Saturday 13th September, resident celebrity chef, Philippa James will be using the market’s home-grown fare to cook some traditional Lancashire recipes in the market’s demonstration kitchen near to Butler’s Cafe, whilst there will be heritage themed arts and crafts workshops for children in the activity area next to the Visitor Centre.
A traditional Punch and Judy show takes place in the activity area near to Butlers Café on Sunday 14th September.
Throughout the weekend there will be a recreation of a Victorian photography studio near to the entrance at the bottom of Church Street for visitors to dress up in costume and take-away an old fashioned portrait.
Exchange Coffee’s Mark Smith will meet visitors at 2pm on Saturday to explain the history of his coffee business which started at Blackburn Market and now has coffee shops and tea houses across Lancashire and Yorkshire and a thriving wholesale business. The guided walk and talk will move across to the shop on Fleming Square where Mark will explain more about the history of this interesting street and its redevelopment.
Blackburn Market’s Commercial Manager, David Smith said, ‘With over 100 activities and events happening across the town centre for the heritage festival, this is an ideal opportunity for us to showcase Blackburn Market’s traditional reputation for being a community hub and a great place for families to shop, eat, drink and have fun.’
