The Big Lamp Project
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund
Public Realm Update October 2025
In approximately two weeks, Bethell will begin work on the new, wider pavements. During this phase, the roadway will be opened for pedestrians, and pavement works will be completed in small sections.
We are currently awaiting confirmation of the exact dates, times, and locations of these works. This website will be updated as soon as that information becomes available.
All businesses will retain access to their front entrances throughout the works. Bethell will also carry out some activities outside of normal business hours to minimise any potential disruption.
A short information leaflet will be distributed closer to the start date for businesses to share with their customers. There will also be wider publicity through the Council’s social media channels and the Free Press.
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The works to Higher Deardengate are the highest priority in order to re-open the street to traffic as soon as possible - Deardengate will be re-opened before Christmas - other works (the nature alleyways and works to John Street) will occur in the new year (2026).
Council officers have been on Haslingden Market since May and will continue to be availble between 12pm - 1pm for businesses to come and talk to - thank you to the residents and business owners who have come and spoken to us at these sessions to date.
The Retail Renaissance is coming to Haslingden:
This programme is open to any high street retail business. Whether you are a retail service, or sell physical products, you’re invited to benefit from participation. It’s fully funded, thanks to funding from the UK government, Boost, and Lancashire County Council, and is valued at £3,000 per place!
Whether you’re looking to build your brand online enhance customer experience, increase sales, or explore opportunities, this unique FREE programme delivers the ‘how’ and ‘why’ from retail experts who understand your challenges and can support you to unlock business potential.
We’d strongly encourage participants to attend all elements of the programme (which also gives you official certification), but you can also attend individual sessions too.
The first three sessions are being held in November 2023 with the remaining ones programmed for early 2026 (dates and locations to be confirmed). There is a maximum of 2 places per business but you can send different colleagues to different sessions to access the full programme.
- Workshop 1 – Customer Journey Mapping- In this interactive workshop, you’ll explore every stage of the customer journey — before, during, and after the sale — to make it easy to navigate and boost enquiries and sale - Thursday 7th November 2025. To book, please click HERE.
- Workshop 2 – Optimising Online Sales, Market Insights and Customer Trends - Discover what’s hot and what’s not! Our experts will help you spot trends, ride social sensations, and stay ahead of the competition - Thursday 13th November 2025. To book please, click HERE.
- Workshop 3 – Digital marketing, SEO & Content Strategy - Don’t get left behind! Master digital marketing, social media, and SEO to boost traffic, sales, and growth in this action-packed session - Thursday 20th November 2025. To book please, click HERE.
All workshops will start at 5pm promptly and finish at 8pm (refreshments & a light buffet will be provided). These sessions will be held at Haslingden Library.
These workshops are for any high street retail business (or if you are part of a parade of retail businesses) – whether you are a hairdresser, butty shop or charity shop, you are invited to benefit from participation.
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Public Realm Update 25th September 2025
Numerous trial holes to locate existing services and drain runs have been created - the use of the vacex machine is necessary to maintain safe excavation practices.
The new, below ground, drainage works has been completed between Bury Road and Bank Street and the new gully connections on Hindle Street.
The sub-base and base course have been laid on the new events square area between Bury Road and Bank Street.
A new street lighting duct and access boxes have been installed between Pleasant Street and Hindle Street and across Deardengate to Ratcliffe Fold.
Existing surfacing removed between Hindle Street and Pleasant Street and work to reduce the street level in that area is ongoing.
Bioretention soil - a stormwater management strategy using shallow, vegetated depressions with engineered soils and layers of mulch to filter and treat stormwater runoff has been placed in 6 of the rain gardens. This soil removes pollutants and reduces peak flow rates, and are part of Higher Deardengates' improved Sustainable Urban Drainage
Ornamental planting areas adjacent to the rain gardens, and to the south of Hindle Street, have been excavated and topsoil placed in them.
Raising of the iron works between Bury Road and Bank Street is on going.
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Public Realm Update - Do you have donations for any of charity shops based on Higher Deardengate?
If you have a donation that you would like to give to any of the charity shops on Deardengate you can now drop off bagged donations at Haslingden Market.
You will be able to drop your donation off on Friday or Saturday - please let us know that you will be doing this by either emailing haslingden2040@rossendalebc.gov.uk or calling the Economic Development department on 01706 252401 (9am-5pm Monday to Thursday and 4.30pm on Fridays).
Please let us know which charity shop you are donating to. Members of the team will be at Haslingden Market every Friday from 12-1pm if you would like to drop a donation off during that time.
Please keep supporting our great little high street during the road works on Higher Deardengate, and all of the other brilliant businesses, and market traders, across Haslingden town centre.
Sue Ryder at 46 Deardengate, Age Concern at 25 Deardengate, Carers Link 13 Deardengate, Rossendale Hospice 5-7 Deardengate
Public Realm Update 16th September 2025
Works completed to date:
Carriageway Works (Bury Road to Bank Street):
Trial Holes: Several trial holes have been dug to identify the location of existing services and drainage runs.
Setts: Around 80% of the existing stone setts have been carefully lifted, cleaned, bagged, and stored at the Chapel Street compound. These are ready to be re-used later in the works.
Carriageway Works (Bury Road to Bank Street):
- Reduced-level excavation has been completed.
- The first layer of sub-base has now been placed.
- Street lighting ducts and access boxes have been installed.
- Drainage works in this section are ongoing.
Rain Garden Areas (Pleasant Street to the Library):
- Existing surfacing has been removed.
- The rain gardens have been excavated to the correct profiles using a vacex unit Vacuum excavation or vac ex is a relatively new means of tackling excavation. Basically, it is using air technology to generate suction which can then be used to dig out material. Compressed air is used to break-up the ground before the machine vacuums it away.
- Drainage has already been installed in the rain gardens at the Library, south down High Deardengate to Manchester Road.
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Public Realm Update - Business rates - are you a business on Higher Deardengate?
If you are being affected, please contact the VOA here:
You may get a temporary reduction in your business rates if your business is affected by severe local disruption (like flooding, building or road works). Need help? Please call the Economic Development department on 01706 252401.
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Public Realm Update 19th August 2025 - Storm Floris!
Storm Floris – Site update & footpath diversions
Site Safety Update
The high winds caused by Storm Floris made the temporary orange site barriers unstable. For your safety and to maintain secure site boundaries, these have now been replaced with double-clipped Heras fencing.
Important Access Information
To keep you safe from moving machinery and ongoing deliveries, there is no pedestrian route through the site. Please follow clearly marked footpath diversion routes to reach your destination.
Closed Footpath Notice – East Side of Deardengate (by Haslingden Hardware)
Due to a recent building fire, Electricity North West has closed the footpath outside 22 Deardengate. Excavation work is underway to make the area safe. Once complete, the footpath will reopen as soon as possible.
Getting around:
- To reach the Post Office and other East side businesses: use the Bank Street exit and walk around to Deardengate.
- To reach West side businesses (e.g. Mannings, Unscripted): we recommend parking in John Street car park or the Co-op car park, then walking via Radcliffe Fold.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to keep everyone safe during this time.
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26th June 2025: Key dates and areas of work:
This may be subject to change at short notice and will do our best to make sure we keep the most up to date information readily available.
Higher Deardengate:
Week commencing 16th June:
- Bethell set up temporary compound on Chapel Street carpark
- Markings will be made on the pavements and road carriageway
- Traffic management signs will be installed throughout the area
Week commencing MONDAY 21st JULY 2025 – Big Lamp Square – Bank Street to Bury Road:
- The temporary traffic regulation order will begin with road closures and diversions put in place
- Pedestrian management will be put in place to allow safe movement for pedestrians within the area
- Access will be maintained for vehicles of private residents and to the private car park to the rear of The Lindens Rest Home.
- Works will start on the east side of the area from Bank Street, north to Bury Road, starting with the hard landscaping:
- Start – mid July
- Completion – end of September
- The rain gardens and other soft landscaping for this area:
- Start – end of August
- Completion - end of September
- Works will start on the west side of the area from Bank Street, north to Bury Road –starting with the hard landscaping:
- Start - mid September
- Completion – mid November
- The installation of the refurbished Big Lamp, new public artwork and street furniture installation
- Start - mid October
- Completion – mid November
Week commencing MONDAY 21st JULY 2025 - Higher Deardengate (Pleasant Street to Bank Street):
- Bank Street remedial works will begin:
- Start – mid July
- Completion - mid August
- Deardengate – west footway works:
- Start – end of July
- Completion – end of September
- Rain gardens – west side of Deardengate:
- Start – end of August
- Completion – end of September
- Deardengate – east footway works:
- Start – end of August
- Completion – end of October
- Rain gardens – east side of Deardengate:
- Start – end of September
- Completion – end of October
- Other works across Higher Deardengate which include the installation of feature lighting, other soft landscaping, street furniture:
- Start – mid September
- Completion – start of November
Week commencing 27th October – Higher Deardengate (carriage way works):
- Hard landscaping including planning of the existing carriage way, installation of re-used cobbles, line markings, decoration of existing lighting columns:
- Start – end of October
- Completion – start of December
* All businesses will be open as usual *
Access will be maintained for vehicles to private residence or private parking.
Car parking is available throughout the town centre and can be found here: https://www.rossendale.gov.uk/downloads/download/11145/car-parks-map
John Street, Haslingden:
This may be subject to change at short notice and will do our best to make sure we keep the most up to date information readily available.
Works to John Street are scheduled to start during the week commencing 17th November 2025.
This will begin with appropriate traffic and pedestrian management, with pedestrian access maintained as much as possible.
Works include:
- Remodelling of the kerb and pavement at the junction with Regent Street
- Removing old signs and poles and replacing them with new ones
- Removing old road markings and applying new ones
- Installing a new bus stop near CoOp.
The works are due to be completed by the end of November 2025.
During this time, there may be some disruption and noise which will be kept to the minimum as much as possible.
Further information about the wider works across Higher Deardengate can be found here https://www.rossendale.gov.uk/regeneration-3/haslingden/2
Please be mindful of any traffic restrictions that may be in place and if you have any questions, please email haslingden2040@rossendalebc.gov.uk
Further information:
There will be Temporary Traffic Regulation orders in place across Higher Deardengate and some surrounding streets (John Street).
These Temporary Traffic Regulation orders will eventually become permanent Traffic Regulation Orders.
The R1 bus (from Helmshore to Rawtenstall) will turn right, up Higher Deardengate,
It will then turn right onto Bank Street and left onto Bury Road.
Double yellow lines will be extended to maintain safe exit onto Bury Road.
The Higher Deardengate bus stop will be relocated to near the former Big Lamp Chippy, after which the bus will continue on its normal route.
The return route (from Rawtenstall to Helmshore) will see the bus stop at the bottom of Church Street.
It will turn right onto Bury Road, left onto John Street before joining Blackburn Road and continuing on its normal route.
Higher Deardengate will become one way from Pleasant Street, north up Higher Deardengate, with vehicles exiting onto Bury Road via Bank Street.
Double yellow lines will be extended to maintain safe exit onto Bury Road.
The following map shows the direction of traffic on Higher Deardengate, Pleasant Street, Hindle Street & Bank Street.
Vehicles will be able to enter and exit Pleasant Street as normal.
The traffic lights on Manchester/Blackburn Road will be amended to take into account fewer vehicles exiting Higher Deardengate at this end.
The footways along Higher Deardengate will be widened, making it safer for pedestrians.
The footways will also fall towards the road to improve drainage away from businesses.
The cycle route is also included in the project, with cyclists able to travel on the existing route north up Higher Deardengate.
The south bound cycle route will be via Bell Street.
The north end of Higher Deardengate will become a pedestrian only (with access) town centre square.
There will be new seating, lighting, artwork and planting to create an attractive, welcoming space with a focus on being able to host events and activities.
Parking on Higher Deardengate will be allowed
There will be restrictions proposed for Mon-Sat 8am-6pm two hours maximum - with no return within two hours.
Loading on Higher Deardengate will be allowed with restrictions proposed for Mon-Sat 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm.
John Street will also have changes which include the R1 bus route.
There will be some widening of the pavement at the junction with Regent Street – to allow for the safe turning of the bus.
A one-way system south from Regent Street to Union Street.
Union Street will allow two-way traffic and will be re-lined accordingly.
Double yellow lines will be extended but parking will be retained on the west side of John Street.
Across the areas affected there will be changes to traffic signs, road markings and parking restrictions – if you have any questions, please contact haslingden2040@rossendalebc.gov.uk or visit the website www.haslingden2040.co.uk
RBC Officers will be at Haslingden Market, every Friday from 12pm till 1pm to talk through the plans.
Information boards will be placed in Haslingden Library & Haslingden Community Link.
Storm Floris – Site update & footpath diversions:
Storm Floris has brought some disruption to our area, and we’re taking steps to keep everyone safe while essential works continue.
Site Safety Update
The high winds caused by Storm Floris made the temporary orange site barriers unstable. For your safety and to maintain secure site boundaries, these have now been replaced with double-clipped Heras fencing.
Important Access Information
To keep you safe from moving machinery and ongoing deliveries, there is no pedestrian route through the site. Please follow clearly marked footpath diversion routes to reach your destination.
Closed Footpath Notice – East Side of Deardengate (by Haslingden Hardware)
Due to a recent building fire, Electricity North West has closed the footpath outside 22 Deardengate. Excavation work is underway to make the area safe. Once complete, the footpath will reopen as soon as possible.
Getting Around
- To reach the Post Office and other East side businesses: use the Bank Street exit and walk around to Deardengate.
- To reach West side businesses (e.g., Mannings, Unscripted): we recommend parking in John Street car park or the Co-op car park, then walking via Radcliffe Fold.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to keep everyone safe during this time.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund 'Big Lamp' Project - Shining Light on Haslingden Heritage
Project timeline: 2021-2026
Haslingden is a historic mill town home to cobbled streets, an 18th Century listed merchant’s house and many 19th Century buildings. It holds possibly the oldest street market licence in England, with markets regularly held there since at least 1555.
Following the development of the Haslingden 2040 Vision, in July 2021, Rossendale Borough Council were successful in a grant funding bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for over £2.5m.
Due to a prolonged period of under-investment and post-industrial decline, the condition of the buildings in Haslingden’s town centre has been impacted greatly. In an effort to revitalise this historic town centre, Rossendale Borough Council received £2,567,031 for their project, Big Lamp - Shining Light on Haslingden's Heritage. The funding will support a five year project which aims to regenerate the area and encourage community engagement with the town and its heritage. This funding includes a further grant uplift secured in September 2023 to enable the delivery of the full public realm scheme.
The project plans to create a new town square which will be used for community events, such as food markets and festivals. It also plans to:
- introduce a cycling infrastructure
- widen pavements
- refurbish its ‘Big Lamp’ (a local landmark)
- improve the area for wildlife and the environment
- introduce a one-way traffic system
- create Sustainable Urban Drainage systems.
The Big Lamp project hopes to see growth in visitors to Haslingden following the town’s regeneration. The increased footfall will also support the local economy, bolstering existing businesses and creating new opportunities.
Project outcomes:
The map of Deardengate demonstrates the transformation taking place in Haslingden town centre. This includes:
- Transformation of the northern stretch of Deardengate into a bustling town square, developing community engagement through vibrant activities and outdoor seating
- Improved pedestrian routes throughout the town centre linking retail hubs and residential areas
- Soft landscaping and electric charging points
- A revitalised market experience offering food, retail and events
- Wider footpaths to improve safety and accessibility
- Artwork and landscaping to bring the space to life
- Improved lighting to highlight the town's features
- Seating to create a community hub
- Parking and delivery bays for businesses
You can follow the progress of The Big Lamp Project on the Haslingden 2040 website
The National Lottery Heritage Fund