Security fencing scheme approved ready for market’s return

Security fencing measuring seven-and-half feet high is to be installed along part of the Bonny Street Market site in readiness for the market reopening.

After a wait of around four years, the Market is set to begin trading again on March 27 – bringing back the charm, bargains and bustling seaside atmosphere that locals and visitors have missed.

For the first time since 2022 the market, famous for its character, variety and seaside bargains – is finally making a much-anticipated return in time for the Easter holidays.

In order to secure the site, an application was lodged with Blackpool planners for the erection of 2.4m (7.9m) high paladin security fencing along the north eastern boundary.

The application has now been approved by the planning officer, who said in a delegated planning report: “As it would be sited on top of the existing brick wall, the security fencing would be approximately 5.4m high from the ground level of the market site, 2.9m high from the ground level of the adjacent car park and 1m higher than the existing timber fencing. 

“The scheme would have no unacceptable impact on residential amenity but would improve the security of the site. There would be no unacceptable impacts on heritage, the highway, or flood risk.”

Preparations for the market are already well under way with new signs now in place signalling a fresh chapter for the market.

However, the return of Bonny Street Market for the 2026 season is temporary and operates under a “meanwhile use” agreement while awaiting the wider, long-term regeneration of the site, which is designated for future development as part of the wider Blackpool Central project. 

The ‘Blackpool Central’ scheme is a massive £300 million leisure-led regeneration project which includes a 1,300-space car park – which opened last year – a 200-bedroom hotel, a 127,000 sq ft flying theatre, two indoor theme parks, a 70,000 sq ft public square and a string of bars and restaurants in the heart of the resort.

The project is in a transition phase after the previous developer, Nikal Ltd, went into administration in late 2024, prompting Blackpool Council to launch a tender exercise to find new international investors to deliver the vision. 

Two expert firms have now been brought in to engage the community whilst seeking leisure investors to deliver the multi-million pound Blackpool Central scheme.