By the Explore Blenheim news desk · Published Thursday 12 November 2026
The Market Street Revamp in central Blenheim is complete ahead of schedule, and a weekend of town centre activities is planned for 27 and 28 November to mark it.
- Where
- Market Street, from Main Street to Alfred Street
- Celebration
- Friday 27 and Saturday 28 November, in the town centre
- Free parking
- No meters to pay in the CBD zone on Fridays, up to and including 27 November
- Who paid
- Targeted CBD Commercial Rate and existing renewal budgets, with no impact on general rates
Work started in July and now covers the whole length of Market Street between Main Street and Alfred Street. Marlborough District Council ran both stages of the project as one construction programme, which it says made the job more efficient, shortened the build and kept disruption for businesses and visitors down.
What has changed on the street
The old paving has been swapped for safer, harder-wearing surfaces. There is new street lighting, fresh planting and feature trees, updated street furniture, and improvements at the main intersections and pedestrian areas. Stormwater pipes and other underground services were upgraded at the same time.
CBD portfolio holder Councillor Ben Stace said it was the biggest upgrade to Market Street in more than 30 years. “This project has delivered a renewed streetscape that reflects the quality, character and vibrancy of Marlborough,” he said in the council’s release. He thanked businesses, property owners and the community for their patience during the works, and praised lead contractor Fulton Hogan.
Who paid for it
The council says the revamp was paid for from the Targeted CBD Commercial Rate and budgets already set aside for renewals, so it has not added to general rates.
Free Fridays and the celebration weekend
Business Trust Marlborough, with support from the council, is planning a weekend of activities in the town centre on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 November.
The Friday is also the last of the council’s Park Free Fridays: until then you do not need to use a parking meter anywhere in the CBD zone on a Friday, including the Alfred Street parking building and the Railway Station car park.
If you have not walked the finished street yet, that Friday is the easy day to do it. Our guide to Blenheim’s CBD covers Market Street, The Forum and the rest of the town centre, and the council’s release on the finished revamp has the full details.
- Marlborough District Council media release: Revamp marks new chapter for Blenheim town centre, released 5 November 2026
Explore Blenheim news desk: news@exploreblenheim.co.nz. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we’ll correct it.
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