Accrington market traders to get extended rent breaks
That's as they're still in the temporary market cabins awaiting the reopening of Accrington the Market Hall
Hyndburn Council’s cabinet has agreed to extend the current 100 per cent reduction of the rent and licence fees payable by traders in the temporary market cabins on the town square until they are removed for the reopening of Accrington the Market Hall.
The Grade-II heritage-listed building is scheduled to be back in action in November after an £11 million revamp with construction due to be completed in mid-July.
The continuation of the concession was agreed by the cabinet when it met on Wednesday night.
A report from town centres boss Cllr Clare Pritchard said: “The council agreed to support those market traders temporarily relocated on the town square whilst the Market Hall redevelopment works were undertaken.
“A report presented in March 2025, saw cabinet give approval to provide rent and licence fees concessions for 12 months from April 1 2025 or until the temporary cabins are removed whichever comes first.
“This 12-month agreement is coming to an end and this report proposes the council maintains its zero-rent lease/fee charge for the temporary cabins with all other charges remaining as per the current concession levels.
“If approved by cabinet, this would maintain the following charges until the cabins are removed from the town square for the Market Hall reopening: zero charge per calendar month for market cabin rent/licence fee; £9 per square foot per calendar month for service charges; £25 per calendar month for trader storage units located under the rear pavilion at the Market Hall; £120.00 per calendar month as a combined rent and service charge for the trader who has a dedicated cold room and prep room.
“Continuing with these concessions would result in loss of income to the council of circa £2,930 per month and assumes traders continue to pay the service charge and where applicable, storage unit rent, cold/prep room rent.
“If approved, the extension will be given on the same terms as the 2024/25 concession through new leases.
“The council also agreed to assist the Official Accrington Stanley Supporters Trust (OASST) by meeting the cost of the monthly rent for their unit in the Arndale Centre, which is currently £275.41.
“The approval for this arrangement is also coming to an end and this report proposes the council agrees to continue meeting the cost of OASST’s rental payments.”
Hyndburn Council’s Conservative group leader Cllr Zak Khan said: “This is the right thing to do to support businesses. I just hope the market hall now reopens on time.”