A temporary installation on construction panels around Accrington Market tells the story of the town's trading heritage, spanning from 1547 to the upcoming redevelopment. The exhibition combines historic and contemporary imagery to celebrate over 150 years of the market's role at the heart of community life, highlighting key historical moments, notable visitors, and long-standing traders.
Stretching across a bank of construction panels around the market, the installation tells the remarkable story of Accrington’s trading heritageStretching across a bank of construction panels around the market, the installation tells the remarkable story of Accrington’s trading heritage – from the town’s earliest recorded markets in 1547 to the exciting redevelopment that will transform the historic hall into a revitalised mixed-use market and community hub .
Designed to turn the construction site into a public exhibition, the hoardings combine historic photography, archive material and contemporary imagery to celebrate more than 150 years of the market at the heart of town life. The theme of Accrington Market – Standing the Test of Time runs throughout the display, highlighting how the building has adapted and evolved alongside the town itself.
The timeline charts key moments in Accrington’s history, including the construction of St James’ Church, the rise of the Industrial Revolution, the opening of the Victorian Market Hall in 1868, wartime resilience, borough status, Grade II listing, and major restoration works carried out over the decades. Other panels celebrate the market as more than simply a place to shop.
The display highlights the role it has played as a gathering place for the community, hosting events including the Accrington Food Festival, the Soapbox Challenge,lights switch-ons and national commemorations such as Battle’s Over – A Nation’s Tribute. The hoardings also reflect the many notable visitors and personalities connected to the market through the years, from royal visits spanning more than a century to celebrated local figures including Olympic runner Ron Hill and actor Julie Hesmondhalgh.
A dedicated feature tells the story of E. Bramwell and Son, one of the market’s long-standing family traders, demonstrating how businesses rooted in the market have evolved across generations while maintaining deep community connections. Many of the images used throughout the installation come from the renowned Garth Dawson Archive. Garth Dawson, who worked for more than 30 years as a photographer at the Accrington Observer, documented thousands of important moments in Hyndburn’s history.
The project pays tribute to his legacy and acknowledges the support of his family in making the archive available for everyone to enjoy and reminisce. The final panels look firmly to the future, documenting the current redevelopment works and the vision for the transformed market when it reopens fully. The display is intended not only to screen refurbishment works, but to create a sense of pride, ownership and anticipation among residents during the redevelopment period.
A specially designed photographic panel featuring the Market Hall archway and new branding has also been included to encourage visitors to stop, interact with the display and share photographs on social media. Munsif Dad, Hyndburn Borough Council Leader, commented on the designs. He said: “It’s fantastic to be able to celebrate our rich history while brightening up the construction area around the Market and Burtons building.
We owe gratitude to Garth Dawson and his daughters, for continuing to preserve his collection and also to make it available to the community.
“We are looking for traders to enter the market hall when it reopens, and if there are interested parties they should contact kiera@barkerproudlove.co.uk. We also encourage everyone to shop at our current wonderful market which has such a wide range of specialist traders, while enjoying the fabulous display!
”The refurbishment project aims to preserve the architectural heritage of the Grade II listed building while creating a modern destination that supports traders, community activity, food, events and town centre regeneration for future generations.
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