It is a really exciting time for the future of Bacup town centre, with activity now taking place across multiple sites rather than in isolation.
We have seen real progress on the redevelopment of the former Regal Cinema, with demolition now close to completion ahead of a new building that will provide much-needed commercial units in the town centre. That is an important step in bringing activity and opportunity back into a prominent part of Bacup.
The Circle has become a major town centre destination over the last few years, drawing people from outside the area and has been especially successful since Sarah Khattab took a leading role there in 2022. It shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon! There are more shops open on Market Street than many of us can remember. Aldi has opened and demonstrates that the town can support multiple large retailers. The old Woolworths building has been brought back into use as a thriving discount store, at a time when many would have assumed demolition was the only option.
All of this matters.
Because it shows that Bacup is not standing still.
This week has also seen planning approval for the redevelopment of Temple Court, which is the home of Bacup Market. This represents a significant milestone for the town and for the Bacup 2040 Vision. The market has always been a central part of that Vision, and it is encouraging to see plans now moving forward in a way that is deliverable.
It marks real progress. After years of proposals, revisions and conversations, it is positive to see something that is now ready to move ahead.
But it is important to be clear about what this actually is.
This is not just a market project for Bacup. It is a key part of how the town centre is intended to be reshaped, influencing how people move through, use and experience the town.
Local Government Reorganisation – A Changing Context
All of this is happening at a time when local government itself is changing.
Reorganisation is on the horizon, and that brings both uncertainty and opportunity for towns like Bacup.
On one hand, change can slow things down. Priorities shift, structures evolve and decisions can take longer than anyone would like. On the other hand, it creates an opportunity to reset how places like Bacup are positioned, perceived, funded and supported in the future.
What matters is that momentum is not lost.
The work that has gone into Bacup 2040, the investment that has already been secured and the progress now being made need to carry through whatever changes come next. If anything, this is the moment to demonstrate that Bacup has a clear plan, is already delivering against it and is ready to build on that progress.
A Different Kind Of Market
The approved plans reflect a shift in thinking.
This is no longer about building a traditional market hall. It is about creating a flexible, open space that supports trading, events and everyday use.
- A canopy to provide shelter and visibility.
- An amphitheatre to support events and gatherings.
- Improved stalls and layout to make trading more practical.
That shift matters. Because town centres now succeed by giving people reasons to spend time in them, not just to buy things or visit, but to actually stay.
The Pedestrian Promenade – The Real Game Changer
One of the most important elements of the wider Bacup 2040 Vision is the creation of a clear pedestrian promenade through the town centre.
This is not just about paving or signage. It is about creating a natural, intuitive route that links the market at Temple Court with key anchors like Aldi, Morrisons and B&M, drawing people through the heart of Bacup rather than allowing them to bypass it.
At the moment, people can come into Bacup, do what they need to do and leave again without ever really engaging with the centre.
That has to change.
If we get this right, the impact is significant.
- Footfall does not sit in one place. It moves.
- People do not just arrive and leave. They pass through.
- Businesses benefit not just from destination visits, but from flow.
The market sits right at one end of that route, but at the heart of the town. That means its role has to be bigger than market trading alone.
Union Street And The Rebalancing Of The Town Centre
For too long, parts of the town centre have been treated as secondary. Union Street, in particular, has often felt like a cut through rather than a key part of the town centre.
That needs to change.
Funding from the Townscape Heritage Initiative brought investment into a large number of properties across the town centre. This was followed by further improvements through the Heritage Action Zone programme, which enhanced buildings and shopfronts.
The redevelopment of the market, alongside improvements to Union Street, creates an opportunity to rebalance how the town centre works, turning previously overlooked areas into more active, visible and commercially viable spaces.
This is not about shifting activity from one street to another.
It is about strengthening the whole system so that different parts of the town support each other.
Activating The “Backs” Of The Town Centre
One of the most exciting, and perhaps most challenging, opportunities is the activation of the rear of properties around the market square, including those to the rear of Market Street, St James Square, St James Street and Union Street.
Traditionally, these have been service areas. Out of sight and out of mind. In many cases, they are also unsightly and underused.
But with improved access, better public realm and increased footfall, they do not have to remain that way.
There is real potential for rear-facing entrances and trading, outdoor seating and spill-out space, and independent businesses engaging with both the front and back of their premises.
Done well, this removes the idea of “front” and “back” altogether.
Instead, we should aim to create a continuous, active environment where people move more freely and businesses benefit from multiple points of engagement.
From Space To System
All of this points to a bigger shift.
Bacup 2040 has never been about thinking about individual projects in isolation.
It is about creating a connected system where:
- The market and anchor retail shops draw people in
- The promenade moves them through the town
- Union Street, St James Street and Market Street keep them engaged
- Businesses benefit from that movement
That is how town centres become resilient. Not through one successful space, but through multiple spaces that all work together.
What Happens Next Matters Most
Planning approval for the market redevelopment is a major step.
But it is only the beginning.
The success of the market and the wider town centre of Bacup will depend on how the space is operated and programmed, how traders are supported and curated, how businesses adapt to new opportunities, and how well the different parts of the town are connected in practice.
A well-designed space creates potential.
It is how we use it that will determine whether it succeeds.
Keeping Momentum
This is a positive moment for Bacup. It shows that the Vision is moving forward and that real change is happening.
But this momentum cannot be lost.
That means continuing to progress:
- The redevelopment and activation of Union Street
- The delivery of the pedestrian promenade
- Bringing underused buildings back into active use
- Supporting enterprise, skills and workspace development across the town
These are not separate projects.
They are all part of making Bacup a place where everyday life happens locally.
Chair of the Bacup 2040 Board, Simon Dalley, said:
“We are starting to see real momentum build in Bacup now and that matters. For a long time, progress has come in stages. What we are seeing now is multiple projects moving forward around the same time and that is what begins to change how a town actually functions day to day.
“The approval of the market is an important step, but its real value will come from how it connects to everything around it. The promenade, Union Street and the wider town centre all need to work together. That is how we move from individual projects to a town that genuinely works as a system.
“Bacup 2040 has always been about more than physical change. It is about reconnecting how people live, work and spend time locally. The Valley Plan talks about creating thriving town centres and stronger local economies, and this is exactly what that looks like in practice.
“We have made real progress, but there is still more to do. The opportunity now is to keep that momentum going and make sure these projects deliver lasting impact for residents, businesses and future generations.”
Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Cllr Nick Harris, said:
“We are delighted that the plans have been approved for the redevelopment of Bacup Market. This project is a major investment in Bacup’s future, supporting our local traders while creating a welcoming and vibrant space for residents and visitors. It is a key step forward in delivering the Bacup 2040 Masterplan as well as our broader Valley Plan our priorities and strengthening our town centres.”
Final Thought
The market redevelopment is an important step. But its real value comes from how it connects to everything else. If we join it up properly, physically, commercially and socially, it becomes more than a project.
It becomes part of a town that works.
And that is what Bacup 2040 is really about.
