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.
News
Latest news listings for Blackburn with Darwen Council.
Unlawful encampment in Darwen – retrospective planning permission refused
Published on Friday 28 March 2025 at 10:58 am
A retrospective planning application for a change of use of land at Hall Moss Farm – close to Whitehall Park – has been refused.
Work starts on multi-million-pound transformation of Darwen Youth Centre
Published on Friday 28 March 2025 at 10:53 am
Work to demolish the existing Darwen Youth Centre building to pave the way for a multi-million-pound transformation is set to get underway.
Eid greetings from the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen
Published on Friday 28 March 2025 at 8:55 am
The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Coun Brian Taylor, has recorded a video message to share Eid greetings with everyone who’ll be celebrating this week.
Filed under: Eid | Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen
Work set to start on major upgrades to paths through Darwen’s Sunnyhurst Woods
Published on Thursday 27 March 2025 at 5:42 pm
The main path through Darwen’s Sunnyhurst Woods is set to benefit from hundreds of thousands of pounds of new investment as part of the £100m Darwen Town Deal.
Darwen’s ‘Wheel of fortune!
Published on Thursday 27 March 2025 at 11:59 am
When this giant wheel appeared in Darwen Market Square in February, it had us all in a spin!
Filed under: Darwen | Darwen Town Centre | wheel
Capital and culture: £20m boost for your favourite venues
Published on Wednesday 26 March 2025 at 9:28 am
Turn the pages of this edition of The Shuttle, and you’ll find it packed with stories celebrating culture.
Filed under: funding | King George's Hall
BWD Librarian shortlisted for a Libraries Connected Award
Published on Tuesday 25 March 2025 at 2:05 pm
Blackburn with Darwen’s Community History Librarian Mary Painter has been shortlisted for a prestigious Libraries Connected Award!
Filed under: Blackburn Central library | Libraries | library | staff
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
The Blackburn brothers bringing new brands to The Mall!
Published on Monday 24 March 2025 at 11:23 am
There are very few shopping centres in the country owned by a local family, but The Mall in Blackburn is one of them!
Filed under: Shuttle | Shuttle 2025 | The Mall
Out of this world!
Published on Thursday 20 March 2025 at 3:00 pm
From choral evensong to Pink Floyd by candlelight – Blackburn Cathedral may soon celebrate its 100th anniversary, but there’s absolutely no signs of things there slowing down.
Filed under: Blackburn Cathedral | moon | museum of the moon
The Gary Aspden Way
Published on Thursday 20 March 2025 at 2:12 pm
adidas SPZL curator and proud Darrener, Gary Aspden, promised us something truly Spezial in 2024 – and boy, did he deliver!
Filed under: Adidas | decade | gary aspden | spezial
High Sheriff of Lancashire visits Blackburn for community engagement tour
Published on Wednesday 19 March 2025 at 2:04 pm
The High Sheriff of Lancashire paid a special visit to Blackburn, meeting with key community organisations and local leaders to learn more about the town’s ongoing projects and initiatives.
Filed under: Cllr Phil Riley | Denise Park | high sheriff | Leader of the Council
9,000 homes to be part of a food waste collection pilot
Published on Tuesday 18 March 2025 at 2:42 pm
Next month, over 9,000 households in Blackburn with Darwen will begin having their food waste collected, ahead of a borough wide roll out next year.
Filed under: bin | bins | Collections | Councillor Jim Smith | councillor phil riley | environment | Food | food waste | Phil Riley | pilot | recycle | Recycling | refuse | Trial | Waste Collections
The Art of Crochet
Published on Tuesday 18 March 2025 at 9:37 am
When Rachael Mills first picked up a crochet hook 25 years ago, a Turner Prize couldn’t have been further from her mind – but that’s exactly where her creative passion would take her!
Filed under: crochet | rachael mills | turner prize
Making Creativity Happen: The £1.5m vision to transform Blackburn’s already super-successful Making Rooms
Published on Monday 17 March 2025 at 11:09 am
The £1.5m vision to transform Blackburn’s already super-successful Making Rooms into the UK’s leading makerspace is as bold as its creators!
Filed under: Making Rooms | Shuttle 2025 | The Shuttle
A Loom of History
Published on Friday 14 March 2025 at 3:25 pm
With his 90th birthday just around the corner, Richard Croasdale is Blackburn Museum’s oldest and longest-serving volunteer – and he’s absolutely brilliant!
Filed under: Blackburn Museum | Richard Croasdale
Come as you really are: An exciting new collaboration between the National Festival of Making and Blackburn Museum
Published on Friday 14 March 2025 at 3:20 pm
An exciting new collaboration between the National Festival of Making and Blackburn Museum is bringing a ‘wonderfully eclectic’ exhibition to town – and it’s a must-see!
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.
Culinary Revolution: From award-winning South Indian cuisine to reinvented street food fusion
Published on Friday 14 March 2025 at 8:46 am
Lancashire has a new foodie hotspot, and it’s right on your doorstep!
When people think of Lancashire’s top dining destinations, the Ribble Valley usually steals the spotlight.
Darwen – the town that has it all!
Published on Friday 14 March 2025 at 8:27 am
With Darwen featuring in a new list of places with the fastest-rising house prices, we speak to one estate agent who explains why it’s the place to buy.
Filed under: Darwen | Darwen Tower | Housing | Jubilee Tower | The Shuttle
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
Rover the Moon! Proudly celebrating 150 years of Blackburn Rovers Football Club
Published on Thursday 13 March 2025 at 9:00 am
As this edition of The Shuttle goes to print, Blackburn Rovers are sixth in the Championship – dare we say, the play-offs are in sight…
And while there’s excitement on the pitch, there’s lots to celebrate off it too.
Filed under: Blackburn Rovers | jack walker | Shuttle | The Shuttle
Sign up to ‘Ride Anywhere’ now and you could WIN £1,000!
Published on Wednesday 12 March 2025 at 12:00 pm
Calling all Blackburn with Darwen cyclists! Sign up now to take part in Love to Ride’s ‘Ride Anywhere Week’ and you could be in with the chance of winning £1,000!
Emergency order to fell Darwen town centre tree
Published on Tuesday 11 March 2025 at 10:33 am
Due to safety concerns, an emergency order has today been submitted to fell the large tree in front of Darwen Town 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.
Action to tackle climate change ongoing
Published on Monday 10 March 2025 at 12:19 pm
The Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and set a goal to be carbon neutral by 2030.
Filed under: Climate | climate change | Local Plan | Planning
Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery receives even bigger boost!
Published on Wednesday 5 March 2025 at 9:50 am
Blackburn Museum was one of the first purpose built free museums to open outside of London, in 1874.
Filed under: Art Gallery | Arts Council England | Blackburn | Blackburn Museum | Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery | Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery | British Library | council | Councillor | Councillor Quesir Mahmood | Culture | funding | Gallery | Hart Gallery | museum
Blackburn Sports and Leisure Centre celebrates 10 years!
Published on Tuesday 4 March 2025 at 1:53 pm
Following its opening on Friday 20 March 2015, Blackburn Sports and Leisure Centre is celebrating its 10th anniversary in style this weekend.
Filed under: 10th Anniversary | Blackburn | Blackburn Leisure Centre | BwD Leisure | celebration | leisure | Leisure centre | Members | Rebecca Adlington | Sports | Ten years
Residents celebrate being Undefeatable!
Published on Monday 3 March 2025 at 4:31 pm
An event to thank local residents who took part in the We Are Undefeatable campaign in Blackburn with Darwen has highlighted its positive impact to encourage people living with long term health conditions to be active.
Filed under: health | Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen | we are undefeatable
Our work to tackle empty homes in Blackburn with Darwen
Published on Monday 3 March 2025 at 4:20 pm
It’s National Empty Homes Week, and we’re joining councils around the country in sharing information about the number of empty properties in our borough and highlighting the work we’re doing to help bring them back into use.
Help is on hand to apply for money you could be entitled to
Published on Friday 28 February 2025 at 1:06 pm
In a push to continue to try and reach out to older people living in Blackburn with Darwen an information event was held last week to help residents check if they are eligible for pension credit.
Filed under: Pension Credit
Council Leader meets Northern management in commitment to better rail
Published on Thursday 27 February 2025 at 4:43 pm
The Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Councillor Phil Riley, has met with senior management from Northern to continue pressing for urgent improvements to train services across the borough.
Borough’s children smash targets while travelling sustainably to school
Published on Wednesday 26 February 2025 at 4:50 pm
Following its launch over a year ago, a project that sees children walk or wheel to school has beaten ambitions set by the government.
Filed under: active travel | Living Streets | primary school | School | travel | Walking to school | WOW
Join the Mayor for his Charity Quiz Nights
Published on Tuesday 25 February 2025 at 11:33 am
The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Brian Taylor is hosting two charity quiz nights and he’d love for you to join him!
Filed under: mayor | Mayor of Blackburn | Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen | Mayor of Darwen
Could you be missing out on money? Information event tomorrow (Friday, February 21)
Published on Thursday 20 February 2025 at 5:34 pm
Residents in Blackburn with Darwen are feeling the benefits of extra financial support thanks to free help from Age UK – and you could be eligible too!
Filed under: Blackburn Market | Pension Credit
Smiles all round as borough’s childhood tooth decay rate improves
Published on Thursday 20 February 2025 at 3:54 pm
The percentage of five years olds in Blackburn with Darwen with tooth decay has fallen by 16% in six years.
Filed under: children | Oral Health | Oral Health Strategy | teeth
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.
Search for sponsors for 2025 Community Volunteer Awards begins
Published on Friday 14 February 2025 at 8:44 am
Community CVS and Blackburn with Darwen Council are working together to celebrate and recognise the hard work, passion and dedication of the borough’s volunteers through the Community Volunteer Awards.
Filed under: Community Volunteer Awards | volunteering
Trading Standards operation caught on camera
Published on Wednesday 12 February 2025 at 3:25 pm
Trading Standards raided two premises in a joint operation with Blackburn and Darwen Police recently, in a bid to tackle the sale of any illicit vapes in the borough.
Filed under: Councillor Jim Smith | illegal | Illicit | Jim Smith | Police | public protection | trading standards | vapes | video | youtube
National Apprenticeship Week 2025: 10th – 16th February 2025
Published on Tuesday 11 February 2025 at 3:57 pm
National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is back for 2025, running from February 10th to 16th, and it’s set to be an exciting week-long celebration that brings together businesses, apprentices, and learners from all across the country.
Filed under: Apprentice | National Apprenticeship Week
Unlawful encampment in Darwen – enforcement action update
Published on Tuesday 11 February 2025 at 1:21 pm
A Planning Inspector has upheld an enforcement notice that we served on the landowners at Hall Moss Farm – close to Whitehall Park.
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.
Improvements mean the borough’s final Air Quality Management Area can be cancelled
Published on Wednesday 5 February 2025 at 11:35 am
Due to a reduction in air pollution, it’s been proposed that an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) in Blackburn South and Lower Darwen is no longer needed.
Filed under: air pollution | air quality | Air Quality Management Area | AQMA | Blackamoor | Blackburn | Consultation | council | Councillor Jim Smith | Have your say | Lower Darwen
Free family fun @ Blackburn Cyber Fest
Published on Tuesday 4 February 2025 at 5:06 pm
A free family fun cyber day is taking place on Saturday, February 8, at Blackburn College with lots of cyber and digital activities in collaboration with local community groups IMO and OneVoice.
Filed under: Blackburn | Blackburn College | cyber fest
Corporation Park Conservatory one step closer to full restoration
Published on Tuesday 4 February 2025 at 1:26 pm
A company has been appointed to undertake all necessary surveys on the popular park structure.
Back in March 2024 we told you that the Conservatory had been allocated almost £137,000 from the council and Historic England, through a ‘Repair to Heritage at Risk’.
Filed under: Buttress | conservatory | Corporation Park | Corporation Park Supporters Group | Councillor Jim Smith | Cycad | Historic England | Myerscough College
Get a bird’s eye view of Darwen from a big wheel!
Published on Monday 3 February 2025 at 4:26 pm
Get ready for incredible bird’s eye views across Darwen and beyond!
For one month only, a giant wheel is coming to Darwen Market Square, giving you the chance to see Darwen and the surrounding countryside as you’ve never seen it before.
There’s plenty of family fun at the markets this February half term!
Published on Thursday 30 January 2025 at 12:19 pm
Looking to make memories with the family for free? Dive into our fabulous cultural programme on offer at Blackburn and Darwen Markets!
Filed under: Blackburn Market | council | Councillor Jim Smith | Culturapedia | Darwen Market | Family activities | family fun | Fun | half term | market
Free event to help create more ‘Cosy Homes’ in Blackburn with Darwen
Published on Thursday 30 January 2025 at 11:02 am
A free ‘WARM Matters’ event is set to be held in Blackburn to help residents with the impacts of the cost-of-living and energy crisis.