A MAJOR council makeover of the signs on Blackburn Market got the opening times wrong.

The new signs, installed this week, inform customers on the four main entrances to Blackburn Market Hall that it trades from 8am to 5.30pm.

Unfortunately, the market actually opens its doors at 8.30am - and always has.

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Traders were baffled by the gaffe.

Malcolm Marsden, owner of Whittakers Butchers stall, said: “You would think they could get it right.

“It’s just common sense. The market opens at 8.30am and always has. You would think somebody would have noticed when they signed it off.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Cllr John Slater, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Tory group, said: “It’s shambolic and unprofessional.

“This is real Keystone Cops comedy stuff. Why was it not noticed before it was signed off.”

The new signs - in modern grey and turquoise - replace the old bright green colour scheme.

They also feature the town's iconic worker bees in yellow.

The new signs were installed by council contractors following requests from stall holders to modernise the look of the market.

The council said the error was a 'small mistake' and that it would be put right at no extra cost.

Markets manager Clare Turner said: “It’s a small mistake. They happen. It will be rectified within the contract price.

“We did the new signs at the request of the traders. I think they look great. We only noticed the error a couple of days ago. It will be put right very soon.

“We used two local firms to do the work, Source creative and Sign Options. I think overall the new signs and artwork on the windows looks fantastic.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Blackburn with Darwen Council regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley said: “The refresh of the Market’s signage is timely and in response to the ideas and feedback we have received from the businesses in the markets to improve the appearance and increase footfall.

“The objectives were to make more of the entrances, reinforce the market’s heritage and its importance to the town and brighten up the windows to show what we are selling.

"Initial feedback is very positive from traders and customers.

"The design, production and installation cost was around £25,000 with Blackburn based designers, Source Creative and sign producers and installers, Sign Options delivering the project for the market.”