Second award for Blackburn’s new Cathedral Quarter

Published Wednesday 25 May 2016 at 13:24

The team behind the new Blackburn Cathedral Quarter has scooped yet another award as it was named Public Sector Team of the Year.

The award was presented at the North West Property Awards organised by Insider business magazine to the combined partnership of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Maple Grove Developments Limited, Blackburn Cathedral and the Homes and Communities Agency.

Representatives from the team were presented with the award at Manchester Central, last Thursday evening  beating off competition from across the region.

The event saw more than 1,000 of the region’s top professionals, developers, and architects get together to celebrate the region’s achievements over the last 12 months.

The award comes following last month’s news that the office accommodation had won best large commercial building at the Local Authority Building Control Building Excellence Awards.

Since coming together in 2007 to develop plans for Cathedral Quarter, the partnership has worked together to overcome challenges including the economic climate following the recession.

It has successfully managed to create a new high quality, vibrant mixed use quarter with the grade II* listed Cathedral at its heart that includes a multi-use public open space, a restaurant quarter and the best regional Grade A office accommodation available outside Manchester.

The development includes the new Premier Inn and a residential development to bring the Cathedral’s  clergy and staff back into the heart of the town, the first new Cathedral Cloisters to be built in over 600 years.

In addition, it will boast the latest venture from the owners of the Northcote Group, Café Northcote opening at the beginning of June.

It will offer modern café food with an eclectic feel, staying loyal to their local producers and suppliers with Michelin starred chef, Nigel Haworth creating the menu.

The new Bus Station and interchange delivered by Eric Wright Construction outside the Railway Station completes the picture  providing modern and welcoming public transport facilities.

Executive member for Regeneration, Councillor Phil Riley, said: “It’s fantastic that Cathedral Quarter has won not one but two awards and it is a great achievement for the team behind the project and only right that they’ve been recognised.

“The project is proof that by working with partners we can  transform and refresh spaces in our borough and put Blackburn on the map with what is a multi-million pound regeneration.”

Canon Andrew Hindley of Blackburn Cathedral, said “ The Cathedral is delighted that this very successful partnership has been acknowledged in such a prestigious way and looks forward to working into the future with the partners.”

Nigel Haworth of Northcote, said “We are delighted to finally be working in partnership with Lancashire’s cathedral as part of this exciting development it gives us the platform to launch our brand new vibrant café concept, championing local produce and Blackburn’s heritage, we can’t wait to be part of bringing Cathedral Court to life.”

“We believe that awards like this can only cement our position as a place that is thinking wider, bigger and bolder in everything it does.”

Andrew Dewhurst, director at Maple Grove Developments, said: “Blackburn Cathedral Quarter represents seven years of hard work and has transformed a key gateway into Blackburn.

“The project is an excellent example of private sector businesses working in partnership with a local authority to deliver a significant urban regeneration scheme. It will create considerable advantages for the town including inward investment and increased financial benefits from an enhanced night time and visitor economy.

“It has also created a high-quality business hub in the heart of Blackburn that will deliver much-needed jobs, with One Cathedral Square being the first Grade A office building to be completed in the town centre for 20 years.”

“It’s always an honour to receive an industry award, so to get two on the same night is fantastic.”

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