Preparations for the multi-million pound Darwen Market Hall and Civic Quarter development project will begin this month with the main work starting in the autumn.
The focus of the scheme is the re-development of the Market Hall, and replacement of the market car park, linked to major upgrades of Darwen Library and Theatre.
Work will also improve the connected public realm and key gateways.
The timetable was outlined by Blackburn with Darwen Council’s leader Cllr Phil Riley as the authority’s executive board met on Thursday night to confirm Barnfield Construction Ltd as the project’s lead contractor as part of a £20million upgrade of the Victorian centre of the historic town.
The scheme is part of the authority’s £100m Town Deal financed by the government, the authority’s own capital spending and linked private investment.
Cllr Riley said: “This is the bit everyone has been waiting for.”
He told his senior colleagues in a report: “There has been a strong focus on developing the design, procurement and delivery strategy of the Darwen Market and Civic Quarter Development.
“This project is the largest and most complex Town Deal project, with its key focus on the redevelopment of the Market Hall, and replacement of the Market car park, linked to major upgrades of Darwen Library and Theatre.
“Detailed designs and planning have been led by a strong design team, procured by the council, with their work informed by site investigations, intrusive surveys, market analysis and feasibility work to provide additional assurance, as far as practicably possible, on the buildings and underground conditions as well as the development of a future operating model.
“This work has continued to inform development proposals to help to identify and reduce risks and bring forward an affordable and deliverable scheme within agreed public funding allocations.
“One tender was returned on November 26 from Barnfield Construction.
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“A social value delivery plan for this project will be developed and finalised with the successful contractor during the stage 1 pre-construction period (PCSA) and reported to executive board prior to commencement.
“Barnfield Construction will begin the PCSA period in January 2026 for six to eight months with mobilisation and works planned expected to begin in Autumn 2026.
“However, in advance of any construction works, a further report to executive board will be submitted to seek approval for the final development strategy and deployment of agreed capital funding contributions.”
Cllr Riley reassured 4BwD opposition group leader Cllr Mustafa Desai that despite Barnfield Construction’s tended being the only one finally submitted for the project he had full confidence in the firm’s ability to do the work based on previous experience with it.
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