Spotlight on Haslingden as part of Rossendale town regeneration scheme

The Rossendale town’s market is in the process of a £500,000 revamp. Other regeneration schemes are linked to enhancing its historic shop fronts, streets and traffic.

Many residents look a few minutes down the road, to the likes of Rawtenstall and Bacup, for hope. Both have seen similar upgrades in a bid to breathe life into their town centres.

Like Haslingden, Rawtenstall and Bacup are in the borough of Rossendale. However, Haslingden is in a different Westminster seat, which levelling-up deals are typically based on. Recent building renovation work in Haslingden was linked to a scheme called the Big Lamp Project and National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Now, Haslingden Market is getting a half a million pound revamp with new stalls, a covered area and flexible space for events. Funding of £300,000 has come from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Scheme and £200,000 from Rossendale Council. Work is starting and is expected to last around eight weeks at the market.

Nearby, there are town centre roadworks around Deardengate, which have sparked a headache for some locals. The removal of chunks of cobbles on some town centre streets sparked backlash last week. But the council has reassured residents they will be returned.

And when the Local Democracy Reporting Service visited the town on Wednesday (February 28), many said traffic and ugly scenes are a cross they are willing to bear when they see what may be coming down the line.

‘BETTER RANGE OF SHOPS’

In Haslingden, shopper Gaynor Riley said: “I would like to see a better variety of shops in Haslingden. I’m tired of seeing the same types of shops. I think any investment is good. It’s all needed. A lot of money seems to have gone to Rawtenstall and some other areas have been neglected, I feel.

“They need to encourage people to shop locally, with butchers and fruit-and-veg shops. I come to Haslingden for the butchers but I mainly shop in supermarkets. I don’t think there’s a good veg shop in Haslingden.”

Regarding the market, Gaynor said: “Years ago, Haslingden Market was based on Bury Road. It was then moved to where it is now. But a lot of people didn’t want that. The market has died a death since it was moved. I’m not sure how they will get more traders there because I don’t think the location is the best.

“But the market does need an under-cover area and any improvements will be good. As long as they can encourage more visitors and a better variety of shops.”

Shelley Harris is based at Hazelwood Homecare. The business moved into its Deardengate office in June 2023. The property is one of a number of Haslingden town centre buildings that have been renovated in recent times. Shop fronts, wooden features, windows and stonework have been renovated.

Shelley said: “We’ve had offices in Bacup, Rawtenstall and Crawshawbooth. We came to Haslingden last summer because we wanted a busy, main street location. Previously, this premises was a music shop, Arietta, and originally a butcher. You can see the original door, which has top and lower parts.”

Commenting on the current roadworks, she said: “Roadworks are what they are. They can affect our work in travelling from client to client, and make us late. However, the street works on this part of Deardengate haven’t really effected business. I think there’s a plan to make the street one-way too.”

Asked about consultation regarding town centre changes, she said: “We have been aware of things and we were part of the Big Lamp Project. The council did work on our shop front and there have been a few meetings. The council wanted to bring the old shop fronts back to their original designs.

“Overall, I think this work will be good for Haslingden. Town centre works can cause a bit of chaos but I think it needs to be done. People don’t like change but sometimes it can be for the better.

“Rawtenstall Market has been upgraded and Rawtenstall has new housing, which is all important. I think some of the land around the new Rawtenstall bus station is a bit wasted but I also know Rawtenstall has become more popular. I think all three main Rossendale towns, Haslingden, Bacup and Rawtenstall, need significant spending.”

PLACES TO EAT OUT

Working at the nearby Fuel ‘N’ Vape shop was Jalal Khan, 22, from Blackburn. He said: “The shop has been here for about 16 months. Haslingden is not very busy at the moment so it’ll be good if all this work brings more people here and stops them travelling elsewhere. Weekends are the busy times for this shop. Car parking is an issue in Haslingden. There is some free parking but it can get full-up.”

Regarding food and restaurants, Jalal said: “I think a lot of people I know tend to go to Manchester for a day out. I’m Muslim so my options for eating-out are a bit narrower. I don’t think Haslingden is the best for food. There are a lot of takeaways but not many places you’d go for a meal with friends. There are opportunities for healthier food, not too greasy. Ideally, you want places that do both, catering for different tastes.

“A lot of my friends go to Manchester or Bradford for meals with friends. I go to burger places but have things like grills. Manchester is known for fried chicken burgers. People go there from all the country, from London, for fried chicken burgers. I know Blackburn Market has a new food hall and I think that’s been a success. But generally I’d say most younger Muslim people I know in Blackburn go to Bradford and Manchester for meals out.”

BARBER SHOP CONCERNS

Adam Shaw, who runs a barber’s shop. said: “My main concerns about Haslingden are the types of shops here and car parking. I’ve been here for eight years or so. I’m busy but it’s a struggle to get staff because there are now so many barbers’ shops here. The type of shops which open here need to be more tightly regulated. There are lots of Turkish barbers and vape shops. I don’t understand why so many of these types of businesses can open in one area? I’ve spoken to a town centre regeneration officer about it.”

On street works and traffic, he said: “I’m not exactly sure what the plans are for the future. I’ve heard talk of pedestrianisation, which could affect the business, Car parking in Haslingden is tricky because new £2 park-and-ride bus services have been launched to Manchester. They’re trying to incentivise public transport but the impact on car parking is not good.”

Comparing Haslingden with other Rossendale towns, Adam added: “Rawtenstall has become a success and the council seems to think they can emulate it at Bacup and Haslingden. There are a lot of well-to-do people in Rawtenstall. But I don’t think the clientele in Haslingden or Bacup is the same as Rawtenstall. Haslingden is a bit rough at night.

“I don’t think people really understand the differences between towns. Some think opening a boutique food market will sort things out? A few years ago, there were some good businesses in Haslingden but I feel differently now. It’s a bit s**t at the moment. They did the Christmas lights switch-on with pop-up stalls but there weren’t so many people there. I think things need proper promotions.

“Also there has been a lot kicking-off with plans to turn Haslingden’s old Commercial Hotel into a homeless people’s hostel. I have never seen a rough sleeper in Haslingden. I’ve never seen homeless people on the streets in Rossendale. I wonder if we are going to get an ‘overspill’ from Manchester?”

CAFE CULTURE

Another of Haslingden’s newer businesses is the Ninja café on Deardengate. Working there was Bailey Routh. The 24-year-old, from Crawshawbooth, has previously worked as a fabricator but is now a full-time coffee barista.

Commenting on the street works, said: “The shop-floor has been shaking and there’s a lot of noise. But hopefully it will bring good things when it’s done. We’ve been visited by Rossendale Council regeneration officers and feel we’ve been well-briefed on things.

“Some people complain about changes on social media, online forums or Facebook. We’re all quick to give our opinions in the UK. But did people turn-up to the local consultation meetings? Do they know what’s going on? People are often quick to say what they don’t like. But maybe they should say what they do want – raise alternatives?

“There’s been a focus on Rawtenstall, including the market there, but now the focus is coming to Haslingden. I think it’s quite hard to deal with town centres because things constantly change. But hopefully these changes will bring more people to Haslingden.”

Bailey said Ninja has another café at Rossendale’s ski slope and three vans which are mobile cafes. The firm is headed by Matthew Devlin, apparently nicknamed the Ginja Ninja.

Bailey added: “This new café in Haslingden has been accepted really well. People are buzzing because there’s a nice café like this. They can meet friends or there’s space to work on computers. We’ve got really good relationships with customers and neighbouring businesses, such as the opticians, a sun bed business, Age UK and people at Haslingden Library. We’re going to trial late opening on Thursdays to 8pm. A few businesses do late Thursdays,

“There’s been a move back to proper food shops and markets – good butchers and greengrocers. People want good food rather than just fast food. Haslingden has a brilliant butcher shop. People come from all over to go there. So there are good businesses here already, which can be built upon with more.”

One customer welcomed the various Haslingden changes too. She said: “I was at the Christmas market place event and I’ve never seen it so busy. The library does events with community groups too. We need more of that community involvement. Haslingden can deal with a few headaches regarding the roadworks or whatever. We've got to make some changes to get to where places like Rawtenstall are at. One day, Haslingden can have that feel.

BUTCHER’S SHOP

Haslingden butchers’ shop DT Law is well-known locally and highly-rated. Greg Law took over the business from his dad, Darren, who has retired. The Blackburn Road shop employs numerous staff and had a constant stream of customers when the Local Democracy Reporting Service visited. It is located opposite the market area and near Deardengate.

Greg said: “It’s good to see these changes in Haslingden. We are busy. When the new market opens, it should bring more people here, meaning more customers in the town centre.

“I’d like to see more of a focus on the types of retail in Haslingden. The old market has died but there are shops on the streets up the side. Blackburn Road is good for passing trade and, to be fair, the road works haven’t affected business. But in addition to the market and Deardengate work, it’d be nice to see a bit of change to some shops on Blackburn Road too. One nearby is empty and another only opens at night. But the new market should be good and street works have to be done.”

A Rossendale Council spokesperson said: “The site works are current investigations into cabling and pipework on Higher Deardengate in preparation for a refurbishment of the area.

“Some of the cobbles have been taken away and put in storage and in places temporary tar has been laid until we are ready to start fully on the site.

“The cobbles will all eventually be lifted. They will then be taken for safe storage, refashioned and used as features throughout the public realm in the town centre.

“The cobbled area will be replaced with a natural-looking material which is much-more attractive and safer underfoot for pedestrians.”