Blackburn’s new market is now open and, for the people from the old one who are now in there selling their wares, I wish every success.

And for Blackburn, I do wish it well.

But let’s not kid ourselves, it’s not really a ‘market’ is it, but a very nice shopping area in The Mall.

Having a stall on a market is not quite the same thing as leasing a permanent space in a huge shopping precinct.

You can’t turn up with stock early morning in the hope of getting a space and it’s not a place where a young entrepreneur can have a try, in order to get a foot on the ladder.

And no, it’s not outside attracting walking trade, encouraging nearby small shops to flourish.

But, those who know best have decided to invest several millions of pounds, so it’ll have to succeed.

I’ve runs markets and stood markets, in Blackburn, selling coats and on Chorley Flat Iron, selling fents, so I suppose I am a little biased, because to me, market traders are special people.

They have a way of doing business, with a great sense of humour and it’s told me a lot about people.

It’s a bit sad really, as there’s been a three day market of the sort we are used to in Blackburn for well over 1,000 years.

Another link with our past all gone.