Working hard to support retail

LBL operate Abingdon St Market, we have done since 2023, November of which we opened up the back end of ASM which plays host to 13 independent retail units (or shops if you prefer) cost effective, pre-fabricated, stand-alone spaces for small businesses to trade within.

The thing is that I could sit here and talk on about the cost of things and the location of things but the most interesting and valuable factor in this conversation is accessibility, and by that I mean that Little Blackpool Leisure is an independent, operated by individuals who want to see other independents succeed, less emails and formal negotiations, more real conversations and possibilities.

Back when I first started working for LBL I genuinely sat with them and said “I wanna do this” and we made it happened, there's something special about that, about that open-minded thought process to allow people to try things, the vulnerability of knowing it probably won't go right first time but we’ll figure it out.

Blackpool’s economy like many other places is hard right now, growing rates and less customers due to the rise in e-commerce make it a difficult time to start trading as an independent, ASM shakes those worries off and provides an opportunity for people. Units varying in sizes, prices set as cheap as just £15.00 a day, that's 20% of your average pop-up stall rent at one of those fancy makers markets (not throwing shade, just a fact, based on a £75.00 table fee)

When I think about opportunities in Blackpool I think of community, and that always leads me to the venues Little Blackpool Leisure are lucky enough to own and operate.

Paradise Coast, since opening it has become a hot spot for private hire music events like FYAH, Nine09 and more recently afterparties for bands like ALRIGHT. A cost effective hub for people to drink, socialise and enjoy music they love.

Dirty Blondes, regularly hosting local DJs supporting their careers as well as working with local independents like Lucidity Tattoo studio for their yearly Art Battle event and retail record store Inertial Sounds for Whiskey and Wax.

Abingdon Street Market who in 2026 alone have hosted workshops with Realskate North West, PDSA, BeadsbyGeebs, Inertial, Sana.Jpegg, Kelmade, Anne-Marie and the list goes on and on.

Retail units currently occupied by independent business owners in Blackpool looking for a town centre location without the hassle of the costs a standalone property comes with, pop-ups from businesses like STiMZ, a sensory tool business who create toys and fidgets to aid people with neurodivergent needs, over 15 businesses who reside at ASMs regular NORTHERN EDIT makers market, which purposely costs just £20.00 to trade at, a welcome change to the usual astronomical charges that other “makers markets” request for trading at their event.

ASMs food hall has also played host to students from Blackpool and Fylde culinary course where they have access to a fully operating kitchen and can showcase to the public food from a curated menu they have been working on throughout their course.

It takes an army to build a community, not one person, not one business, not one event. Several pieces to a bigger picture, formed of all the individual businesses and people that want to take a chance and do something cool. I for one am very proud to be a part of that story no matter how big or small.

Next time you find yourself questioning where you can support independents, look no further than one of our venues, I guarantee you’ll find something.