Rawtenstall Market and Bacup market set for revamps
Work on markets and town centres dominate development proposals across Rossendale in 2026. Rawtenstall, Bacup, Haslingden and Waterfoot town centres are all set to see major works in the next year.
Rawtenstall Market is set for a £4.2m revamp, with changes to inside and outside areas, a new food hall, roof, ventilation and electrical upgrades. The overall design was ‘simplified’ in autumn 2025, with the removal of a planned stage, solar panels, some murals and some rear landscaping. Levelling-Up money from the previous government is central to this.
Some Rawtenstall stall holders have temporarily moved to the new Town Square near the bus station while the revamp is under-way. Temporary cabins have been put in the new square.
Rossendale Council recently appointed Casey as the main contractor for the market’s redevelopment, a key project for the wider town and area.
Casey will take responsibility for the Rawtenstall site from January 2026, a year after works were supposed to begin. Now the council say they expect the project to be completed in early 2027.
Further up the valley, Bacup is set for a brand-new market hall and public space. The Bacup plan would upgrade some existing market stall stone-faced cabins, build a new, landmark wooden canopy with outdoor space below and a new cafe. There would also be landscaping to create a more attractive, and accessible area, linking to the wider town centre.
A planning application was recently submitted for by Rossendale Council, and work could begin in the spring, subject to planning approval.
A new masterplan for Waterfoot would improve the historic Trickett’s Arcade, a landmark and listed building with interior space, shop units and a glass-and-iron canopy. Other proposals include illuminated railway tunnels, revamped public spaces and a new focus on leisure, wellness, tourism and outdoor adventures.
The masterplan is linked to the newer government-backed £20m Long Term Plan for Towns Deal, which also covers Rawtenstall and Crawshawbooth. Long term deals have recently been re-named Pride in Place projects by the new government.
Haslingden has also seen road and street-works around the Deardengate area, involving the county and borough councils. Coun Samara Barnes recently issued an update saying it had been confirmed that Higher Deardengate will be closed until at least 30th Jan. The councils have acknowledged the issues that the work is causing for local businesses and said they will push for progress and the long-term benefits will be significant.
A less glamorous plan for Rossendale is construction of a waste transfer station at Futures Park, Bacup, near Rossendale Council’s offices. That plan was recently agreed in council meetings. There were some objections but councillors said the Futures Park location is much better than an existing waste site at Henrietta Street, Bacup. An earlier plan to upgrade the Henrietta Street site had prompted many more objections and was scrapped.
Roadworks in Rawtenstall town centre are set to continue. Lancashire County Council has focused on improving underground utilities on the northern side of the town centre and along St Mary’s Way so far but future work is moving south towards the junction at Bocholt Way, Bury Road and the East Lancashire Railway station. These works are scheduled to be finished by spring 2027.
In Edenfield, work has begun on land to build new homes west of the town, towards the A56. Edenfield is set for a number of new housing developments. Plans for 238 new houses in Edenfield, including over 70 affordable homes, prompted 400 complaints earlier this year. A residents’ group has worked on a local masterplan, aiming to shape future developments and planning considerations.
