Would you like to see Darwen Market open for late shopping one day per week?

Darwen Market traders are looking for feedback from local shoppers about whether they would like to see later closing times, perhaps one night per week.

If it gains support the move to extend opening hours past the current closing time of 5pm would allow some local residents to do a bit of shopping after finishing work.

Currently supermarkets are the answer for many people who work 9am-5pm as they are still open for business and as a result some of the market traders are suffering.

Questions have been asked in the past on our online forum about the half day closing on Tuesdays, but do you think extended hours would help make market shopping more accessible?

In a recent meeting, traders were looking for ideas to help boost local trade and are looking to receive feedback from the public about what improvements local shoppers would like to see.

One resident told Darwen Online "I finish work at 4.30pm and rarely call into the market because it's almost closing time by the time I have driven back to Darwen and parked up. I think it would be great to see that market open later."

According to local historians late night shopping isn't a new idea. In fact, 100 years ago, Darwen Market used to remain open until 11pm on Saturdays!

Have your say in the Darwen Forum - What improvements would you like to see? How do you think opening hours should be changed? How often do you visit the market? What would make you visit more? What do you like/dislike about Darwen Market? Click Here