THE Sixties were a decade of major changes for many East Lancashire towns.

As the traditional industries faced competition from cheaper foreign imports, businesses were being forced to rethink and diversify.

The same was true of our town centres where the demands of the modern shopper required a new approach to retailing.

In Blackburn, the first phase of a major redevelopment of the town centre was the construction of a new market hall. It would replace the traditional market square off King William Street which had served the town for more than a century.

Down would come the much-loved market clock tower and old market hall with a purpose-built market going up on land off Ainsworth Street. Later a new shopping centre and car park would be built on the former market site.