New chapter for Darwen’s historic library and theatre revealed
Published on Monday 31 March 2025 at 2:42 pm
A new planning application has been submitted setting out plans for major new investment in Darwen’s Library and Library Theatre.
Business
Blackburn with Darwen Career Roadshows 2025
Published on Tuesday 25 March 2025 at 12:20 pm
A series of events are taking place across the borough to make residents aware of the support available for career development.
Filed under: Career | Careers and jobs | employment | job fair | jobs
New plans for Darwen Market Hall revealed
Published on Friday 14 March 2025 at 2:07 pm
A new planning application has been submitted detailing plans to transform Darwen Market Hall as part of the £100m Town Deal.
King George’s Hall £9m refurb takes a step forward
Published on Thursday 13 March 2025 at 3:43 pm
A new planning application has been submitted for the final phase of the £9 million refurbishment of Blackburn’s King George’s Hall.
Filed under: KGH | King George's Hall
Blackburn with Darwen mums become first in the country to take part in pioneering digital data training
Published on Monday 10 March 2025 at 2:02 pm
Mums from across Blackburn with Darwen are the first in the country to take part in a pioneering data skills programme.
There’s a tailor in town that’s celebrating 28 years in Blackburn!
Published on Thursday 20 February 2025 at 9:37 am
For almost three decades, Chantana’s tailoring shop has been a quiet but vital part of Blackburn’s high street.
Filed under: Blackburn | Council Leader | councillor phil riley | small business
Darwen Market car park – temporary closures
Published on Friday 14 February 2025 at 1:27 pm
Please note that the car parks at Darwen Market will be closed for periods between Monday, February 24th and Friday, February 28th.
New Combined County Authority is officially launched
Published on Wednesday 5 February 2025 at 5:48 pm
Lancashire’s new combined county authority (CCA) has officially come into being.
The Statutory Instrument which enabled the formation of the new body passed through the final legislative process in Parliament late last week and has now been formerly signed by Jim McMahon OBE MP, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution.
First-ever MEGA Scholarships launched in Blackburn with Darwen
Published on Friday 17 January 2025 at 11:42 am
Students in Blackburn with Darwen are set to be the first in the whole country to benefit from a pioneering new scholarship scheme in cyber and e-sports.
Plans revealed to ‘make’ Blackburn’s Making Rooms even bigger and better with £1.5m extension
Published on Monday 13 January 2025 at 12:06 pm
Plans that could transform Blackburn’s already super successful Making Rooms into the leading makerspace in the whole of the UK have been revealed.
Perspex International’s ambitious £40m expansion plans for Darwen site passed
Published on Friday 10 January 2025 at 12:51 pm
Plans to expand a Perspex International site in Darwen – part of almost £40m of new investment supported by the Town Deal – have been passed.
Discover Christmas nights out in Blackburn… here’s your handy guide!
Published on Friday 20 December 2024 at 12:12 pm
With a cool pop-up festive tavern, a winter wonderland tipi, a whole host of free live music, top places to eat and drink and so much more, here’s why Blackburn should be at the top of your Christmas list this year…Step into Christmas at Blackburn’s brand-new pop-up festive tavern!
Published on Friday 6 December 2024 at 3:56 pm
How about this for a fabulous Christmas surprise… Blackburn is set to get its own pop-up festive tavern, and it opens next week!
Blackburn Futures in Film cohort get in on the ‘action’ filming new BBC Wolf Hall drama
Published on Tuesday 26 November 2024 at 10:17 am
How about this for work experience! Impressively, a cohort of trainees from the Blackburn-based ‘Futures in Film Academy’ were invited to join the production team behind the brand-new and critically acclaimed, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light.
Darwen dazzles once again with record-breaking Christmas lights switch-on!
Published on Monday 18 November 2024 at 11:58 am
Records were once again broken at Darwen’s Christmas lights switch-on with thousands of people turning out for the hugely popular event.
Blackburn’s Christmas is set to be ‘out of this world’ with £70K of new funding!
Published on Wednesday 13 November 2024 at 12:26 pm
More than £70,000 of extra funding is set to help make Blackburn’s Christmas ‘out of this world’ with a brand new ‘Festival of the Moon’ running throughout November and December.
Council moves to acquire full ownership of major town centre development site in Blackburn
Published on Thursday 7 November 2024 at 4:50 pm
Blackburn with Darwen Council could take full ownership of a major town centre development site if new proposals are agreed.
‘Out of this world’ Christmas light switch-on announced for Blackburn!
Published on Tuesday 5 November 2024 at 5:17 pm
Blackburn’s much-anticipated Christmas lights switch-on event is set to take place on Saturday, November 23rd and we have the full line-up for you!
‘Cracker’ of a line-up revealed for Darwen Christmas lights switch on
Published on Friday 1 November 2024 at 3:35 pm
The full line-up for Darwen’s Christmas lights switch-on event has just been revealed and it’s a Christmas cracker with more than 10 hours of festive fun!
Blackburn’s nightlife set for boost with 124 live town centre gigs
Published on Wednesday 30 October 2024 at 10:54 am
A packed programme of brand-new live gigs has just been announced to help boost Blackburn’s nightlife.
Businesses in Blackburn with Darwen to benefit from trailblazing new AI training for free
Published on Tuesday 8 October 2024 at 5:43 pm
Businesses and organisations in Blackburn with Darwen are set to be among the first in the country to benefit from empowering AI training with the IN4 Group – one of the UK’s largest professional technology skills providers.
‘Momentum’ as Roundhouse breaks ground on second phase of £10m Blackburn business site
Published on Friday 27 September 2024 at 3:07 pm
Council leaders have welcomed news that work has started on the second phase of a £10m business park in Blackburn.
Big tick for multi-million-pound new Skills and Cyber Campus in Blackburn
Published on Friday 20 September 2024 at 1:44 pm
Ambitious plans have been passed for a Skills and Cyber Campus of national significance in Blackburn.
£1.5m will provide the ‘wow’ factor for The Exchange
Published on Thursday 22 August 2024 at 4:33 pm
The Exchange has announced the next phase of its regeneration journey thanks to a £1.5m grant from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council – part of £20 million of new Government funding secured for the borough to support town centre priorities.
Enforcement action taken to prevent unauthorised use of former college building in Blackburn
Published on Wednesday 14 August 2024 at 5:00 pm
Blackburn with Darwen Council has today taken action to prevent the former St Mary’s College building from being used for functions and celebration events – an unauthorised change of use.
Perspex International reveals £40m plans to expand Darwen manufacturing site
Published on Friday 9 August 2024 at 9:38 am
Perspex International has submitted a major planning application for one of its sites in Darwen – part of almost £40m of new investment supported by the Town Deal.
Council shares its £30m plans for South East Blackburn
Published on Wednesday 24 July 2024 at 10:11 am
Blackburn with Darwen borough council is investing £30m to help improve transport links in and around South East Blackburn.
Filed under: Blackburn | investment | Junction 5 | M65 | South East Blackburn
New Business Board aims to make county more prosperous
Published on Wednesday 17 July 2024 at 5:08 pm
A new business board whose aim is to deliver a more prosperous Lancashire has been welcomed by leading politicians following its inaugural meeting.
Filed under: Blackburn | Blackburn with Darwen | devolution | Lancashire devolution
Residents invited to have their say on major new housing development proposed for Blackburn
Published on Friday 12 July 2024 at 11:55 am
Residents are being asked to have their say on two potential options for a proposed development of a major housing site in North East Blackburn.
Council budget being managed well
Published on Friday 5 July 2024 at 4:05 pm
A report to next week’s Executive Board meeting of Blackburn with Darwen Council highlights how the organisation’s finances are being managed well.
‘Stroke of luck’ for art lovers as award-winning National Festival of Making returns to Blackburn!
Published on Wednesday 3 July 2024 at 5:18 pm
Nationally renowned artists are set to unveil their specially commissioned works at the Festival of Making this weekend and you can see them all for free!
Patrick Grant and Esme Young set to create a ‘buzz’ at the National Festival of Making!
Published on Monday 1 July 2024 at 12:06 pm
Are you heading to the National Festival of Making this weekend?
We know that Patrick Grant and Esme Young – judges of the hugely popular BBC 2 series ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’ – are!
Plans for new Skills and Cyber Campus in Blackburn revealed
Published on Friday 28 June 2024 at 1:24 pm
New plans have been revealed for a Skills and Cyber Campus of national significance in Blackburn.
Darwen businessman on a mission to recycle and reuse mattresses
Published on Thursday 30 May 2024 at 12:14 pm
Council Leader Councillor Phil Riley has been to visit a mattress recycling business based in Darwen with big ambitions for the future.
Filed under: business | businesses | Darwen | environment | Leader | Recycling
Green light for ‘pioneering’ manufacturing and research centre in Darwen
Published on Thursday 23 May 2024 at 7:42 pm
Plans have been approved for a new manufacturing and research centre in Darwen – part of the impressive £100m Darwen Town Deal.
New project portal launched for £20m Darwen Long Term Plan
Published on Thursday 16 May 2024 at 11:01 am
A new portal has been launched to help gather suggestions for how £20m of new funding could be spent on projects in Darwen.
New board appointed to lead on £20m of funding for Darwen
Published on Tuesday 7 May 2024 at 4:20 pm
A new board has been appointed to help lead on plans for how £20m of Government funding can be best spent in Darwen.
Consultation period on selective licensing area begins today
Published on Tuesday 7 May 2024 at 12:09 pm
Landlords of privately rented properties in the Hollins Bank area will require a licence if proposals are agreed, following a consultation process which requires input from anyone who lives or works in the borough.
Filed under: Blackburn | Griffin | Hollins Bank | Housing | Infirmary | landlords | Licensing | Selective Licensing Area
Tom set for retirement after more than 50 years on Darwen Market
Published on Tuesday 26 March 2024 at 1:17 pm
For more than five decades, Tom Turner has been a familiar face on Darwen Market – some say that he’s part of the furniture there.
New planning application is early ‘first step’ for Imperial Mill restoration
Published on Monday 18 March 2024 at 11:45 am
Blackburn with Darwen Council has submitted a planning application for the iconic Imperial Mill.
The Council bought the landmark building from Lancashire Saw Company Limited last year in an important step to help safeguard it for future employment and cultural opportunities.
Update on multi-million-pound investment for Darwen town centre
Published on Friday 15 March 2024 at 10:16 am
There’s a huge amount of new investment planned for Darwen town centre.
This includes more than £20m for Darwen Market, the library and theatre and Darwen Youth Centre.
Akbar’s officially opens in Blackburn’s £50m Cultural Quarter
Published on Thursday 7 March 2024 at 4:07 pm
For months, contractors have been busy transforming the former Blakey’s building into something truly spectacular.
Something unlike we’ve ever seen before in our town centres.
Government announces £20m of new Levelling Up funding for Blackburn with Darwen
Published on Friday 1 March 2024 at 12:48 pm
Blackburn with Darwen Council has successfully secured £20m of new Levelling Up funding from Government – taking the grand total to more than £125m.
Impressive £350,000 playgrounds unveiled at Blackburn’s flagship park
Published on Wednesday 28 February 2024 at 4:27 pm
The ribbon has been officially cut on two playgrounds at Blackburn’s popular Witton Park following a £350,000 transformation.
Next steps revealed for multi-million pound boost to Darwen
Published on Thursday 21 December 2023 at 10:20 am
The Government has published guidance on how new funding announced for Darwen can be spent.
In October, the Prime Minister included Blackburn with Darwen Council on a list of local authorities that will receive funding for 55 towns across the country.
Exciting new Blackburn with Darwen Christmas campaign to boost its towns and local businesses
Published on Wednesday 13 December 2023 at 11:45 am
This festive season, Blackburn with Darwen is set to sparkle with a brand-new Christmas campaign aimed at supporting and promoting local businesses.
‘Balle’ gets rolling on new Darwen HQ for Brookhouse Aerospace
Published on Tuesday 12 December 2023 at 2:03 pm
A major employer in Darwen is set to expand into a brand-new HQ being developed by Barnfield Construction.
How The Making Rooms is helping put Blackburn firmly on the creative map!
Published on Tuesday 5 December 2023 at 11:29 am
As far as weeks go, it doesn’t get much better than it did last week for The Making Rooms in Blackburn.
Blackburn Festival of Light set for tipis takeover!
Published on Saturday 2 December 2023 at 9:25 pm
The team behind the ever-popular Blackburn Festival of Light are set to bring a brand new event to the town centre this Christmas.
‘Best ever’ Darwen Christmas lights switch on event with N-Trance!
Published on Monday 20 November 2023 at 12:26 pm
Darwen’s Christmas lights switch-on has been hailed the ‘best ever’ by crowds who turned out in their thousands for headliners N-Trance.