Colne town centre is changing, and buyers are taking notice. The £3.5m regenerated Colne Market Hall opened on 1 May, creating around 100 jobs, and the first phase of the bus station upgrade is now complete. Further improvements to roads and bus routes are currently under way. For anyone buying or selling, experienced estate agents in Colne can explain how this renewed focus on the town centre is shaping what people want from a home.
What has changed in Colne town centre?
The Market Hall has been given a new lease of life as a home for independent food and drink businesses, giving locals and visitors a fresh reason to spend time in town, whether for a weekday lunch or a weekend browse. Alongside it, the first phase of work at the bus station has delivered new shelters, real-time passenger information and an increase in bus bays from three to five. Together, these projects signal a sustained investment in the heart of Colne.
What work is still under way?
The next phase of the transport improvements is currently under way. Craddock Road is being converted to two-way traffic, with a new signalled junction and bus priority measures intended to make bus journeys more reliable. As with any roadworks, there may be some short-term disruption, but the longer-term aim is a town centre that is easier to reach and move around. If you are selling a home near the works, it can help to arrange viewings at quieter times of day and to explain to buyers what the changes are designed to achieve. Buyers, meanwhile, should look past temporary barriers and think about how the finished scheme could affect traffic, parking and bus access on the street they are considering. Your agent can share what they know about the timetable and point you to the latest official updates.
Why does town centre investment matter to buyers?
When a town centre feels busy and well cared for, it changes how people see the whole area. Buyers increasingly value being able to walk to cafés, shops and transport rather than relying on the car for every trip. A revived Market Hall and better bus links make Colne more appealing to a wider range of people, from young professionals and first-time buyers to downsizers who want amenities on their doorstep.
How well connected is Colne for commuters?
Transport is one of Colne’s quieter strengths. The town sits at the eastern end of the M65, giving drivers a direct motorway route west across Lancashire and on to the M6 and M61. Colne railway station is the eastern terminus of the East Lancashire line, with Northern services running west across Lancashire, and the station lies a short distance from the town centre.
The upgraded bus station adds to this, with more bays and real-time information making local journeys easier to plan. For buyers who work elsewhere but want a characterful town to come home to, this mix of road, rail and bus links is worth weighing up. If you are viewing homes, it pays to time the journey to the station or motorway at the hours you would actually travel, and to check current timetables for the routes you rely on.
What are buyers in Colne looking for now?
Buyers often mention a few priorities when they talk about the town:
- Homes within walking distance of the town centre and Market Hall
- Easy access to bus services and onward travel
- Well-kept terraced homes with character and practical layouts
- Properties ready to move into, with sensible running costs.
These are trends rather than rules, and every buyer is different, but proximity to an improving town centre is clearly becoming part of the conversation.
How can sellers make the most of this interest?
If your home is close to the town centre or bus station, make sure your marketing says so. Highlight walking times to the Market Hall, shops and bus routes in your listing, and present the home well, with good photography and an accurate floorplan. Many of Colne’s homes are traditional stone terraces, so buyers will look closely at practical matters such as damp, roofs, windows and heating.
Having service records, guarantees and an up-to-date Energy Performance Certificate to hand answers questions before they become concerns, and helps the sale move smoothly once an offer is agreed. With more homes for sale across the country, sellers who price realistically and prepare thoroughly are best placed to attract serious buyers.
What should buyers think about before moving to Colne?
Visit at different times of day to get a feel for the town, and check how the ongoing roadworks may affect your journey in the short term. It is also wise to speak to a mortgage adviser early. With the Bank of England holding the base rate at 3.75% and average fixed rates close to 6%, knowing your budget before you start viewing puts you in a stronger position.
Factor in the full cost of moving too, including stamp duty where it applies, legal fees, a survey and removals. With older properties, a more detailed survey can be money well spent, as it may reveal repairs worth negotiating on before you commit. Finally, walk the streets around any home you like, from the route into town to parking and the nearest shops, so you know how daily life there would really feel.
Gavin Hilton, Founder of Hilton & Horsfall, commented:
“It’s encouraging to see so much investment going into Colne town centre. For buyers, being close to good amenities and transport is becoming a real priority, and for sellers it’s worth making sure those strengths come through clearly when you market your home.”
Whether you are buying, selling or letting, Hilton & Horsfall covers Colne and knows the town well. Our team offers free valuations, lettings support and mortgage advice, so get in touch today for friendly, practical guidance on your next move.