I had waited for many years to see what the new Blackburn Market would look like.

Okay, I am a little bit of a saddo when it comes to these things.

When something new is built, I am the first to inspect it and pass judgement.

Not that my opinion really matters but I, like many others, feel if it isn’t up to standard I must let as many people know as possible.

In the end, despite the odd glitch, I was pretty impressed.

The food area needs a few more shops, and a couple of the stallholders could do with a haircut but, all in all, very well done. I especially like the stall that sells the jigsaws, the Tripe Stall, Ruby’s Cheeses and, of course, the Curry Stall.

On the whole it certainly looks impressive, and if I ever want to go into the retail business I might well set up shop there one day.

And boy did this town need that market. The old one, for all its memories, was falling to bits.

As a kid I remember going to the market to the stall at the very end of the hall to buy things like shampoos and soaps.

We managed to find everything in one shop and then had to walk home in the rain.

The rule was if you could walk, you could carry Tesco bags.

Yes, I have already heard a few people moaning about how it could have been better, but I have tended to find that sometimes we try to be critical of everything.

Compared to what that town centre was a few years back, I would say it has been a complete transformation for the better. While there were some decent shops in the old Lord Square ... just thinking about that gives me the shivers.

To top it all off, we have the return of one of my favourite haunts of yesteryear – ‘El-Greco’s’.

Hey, I know sometimes he could give you one hell of a stare if you dropped a spoon on the floor by mistake ...but you make an awesome cheese and onion pie Mr Moustacas...I take my hat off to you sir.