Published Tuesday 3 March 2026 at 11:49
The finishing touches are being made to Darwen’s brand new youth centre – part of almost £10m of new investment in facilities for young people across the borough.
The striking, state-of-the-art building has taken shape over the past year, doubling the size of the previous one.
Once completed, it will be a new Youth Zone – open to young people seven days a week, including weeknights, weekends and school holidays.
Impressively, members will be able to enjoy everything from a games cave, recording studio, salon, gym, a version of the popular Making Rooms creative space, outdoor sporting facilities and more.
And, importantly, it’ll be free to enjoy, including meals too.
Funding for the project was secured by Blackburn with Darwen Council and its partners through the Youth Investment Fund and it’s part of tens of millions of pounds of new investment for Darwen town centre, including plans for Darwen Market, Darwen Library and Darwen Library Theatre too.
Councillor Julie Gunn, Deputy Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and executive lead for Children and Education – a service recently rated Good by Ofsted – said:
This project really is impressive – I’ve been lucky to enjoy a tour today and I was absolutely blown away.
When I walked around this new youth centre – a truly state-of-the-art facility – I know it’s exactly what our young people deserve.
It’s what they need too – a safe place to have fun, learn new skills and be inspired.
It’s absolutely brilliant.
Alongside the Government funding, the Darwen Youth Zone development has been supported by additional Council investment and contributions from the Youth Zone, including significant backing from local businesses through its hugely successful patron scheme.
As a thank you, patrons – including the likes of major Darwen employers, Crown Paints, Multevo, Watson and Ramsbottom and Herbert Parkinson Ltd – have been invited to attend a special event on Thursday evening for a behind-the-scenes tour, part of their regular Supper Club networking events.
Wayne Wild, Chair of Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone, said:
Darwen Youth Zone has been on a remarkable journey – from launching during Covid at The Meeting Place, to where’s it’s currently based in Railway Road, and now to this purpose-built facility. And what a facility it is for our youngsters.
We already have more than 350 members and this new building will allow us to at least double that number, which is just fantastic.
Having two Youth Zones in Blackburn with Darwen is a proud moment for everyone involved, including our patrons who are pivotal to its growing success.
We can’t wait to be able to officially open the doors.
The new facility will be able to welcome over 800 participants a week and will offer programmes to suit all ages, abilities and interests – a massive improvement on what the former youth centre could offer. The sessions will include employment support and SEND provision too.
As part of the Youth Investment Fund, Blackburn’s busy Youth Zone also benefitted from upgrades, including an impressive transformation of its Fusebox facility.
Andy MacNae, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, added:
It’s great to see the new Youth Zone so close to completion.
This will be a fantastic asset for Darwen, and I can’t wait to see it being used by young people from all parts of town.
Along with the planned redevelopment of the market, improvements to the library and library theatre and the £20m Pride in Place programme, this is a real vote of confidence in Darwen. Exciting times!
The Darwen scheme has been delivered by Seddon, which also recently completed improvements at Audley & Queen’s Park Children’s Centre, another YIF project.
These schemes are the first that the firm have undertaken in the borough.
John Shannon, Managing Director at Seddon Property Services, said:
We’re incredibly proud to have delivered this state-of-the-art youth centre for the council.
Seeing a space come to life that will offer such a wide range of services and opportunities for local young people makes the job especially rewarding.
It’s projects like this that remind us why we do what we do.
A community open day to celebrate the official opening of Darwen Youth Zone is set to take place in April.
For further details about the event, Darwen Youth Zone and information about the patron scheme, please visit: www.blackburnyz.org