Launch date announced for Making Rooms pop-up

A pop up version of The Making Rooms, Blackburn’s creative, digital and technological facility is set to throw open its doors next week on Tuesday (June 21).

The “pop up” will give people a taste of the main facility that is set to open later this year and offer the chance to try out some of the equipment that will be available in The Making Rooms.

Visitors to the “pop up” will be invited to take part in a range of activities including making laser cut coasters, keyrings, vinyl cut badges, screen printed t-shirts and basic electronics.

There will also be an opportunity to make chocolates from moulds made on the high precision milling machine.

The Making Rooms has been funded by Blackburn with Darwen Council, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP), and Arts Council England. The completed Making Rooms will open in the former Bentleys Café Bar on the corner of Exchange Street Museum Street.

The facility is being headed by Dr Eddie Kirkby who was previously at the Manchester-based Manufacturing Institute and the Making Rooms will host artist studios, flexible workspaces, a café, exhibition space and areas for workshops.

Central to the project will be Lancashire’s first Fab Lab where members of the public can develop new products and artworks using state of the art machinery such as 3D printers and laser cutters.

Dr Kirkby said:

I’d really like people to come along and see what we have to offer and to talk to us about how we can help them make their ideas a reality.

From students looking to make artwork or models, to businesses trying out new products or even families wanting to spend time together doing an activity – we’re open to anyone.

Executive member for Resources at Blackburn with Darwen Council, Councillor Andy Kay, said:

The Making Rooms is a real coup for Blackburn. It has taken a lot of hard work by lots of people and something we’re very excited about.

It is yet another fantastic new facility to add to the massive regeneration already taking place in our towns as well as being a great place for people to learn new skills and open doors to employment and entrepreneurship and socialise.

The Making Rooms “pop up” will be open on June 21 at 9.30am and then will open Thursday to Saturday, 9am till 5pm with other activities, training and workshops taking place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays plus occasional Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/TheMakingRooms