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.
Town centre & regeneration
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.
Blackburn’s historic fire-hit church set to be ‘resurrected’
Published on Friday 17 November 2023 at 10:46 am
Impressive plans have been passed to transform Blackburn’s St John’s church into a brand new Innovation Hub.
Blackburn’s fired up for Christmas with Winter Wonderland tipis!
Published on Tuesday 7 November 2023 at 2:21 pm
Blackburn’s stunning Cathedral Quarter is set to be transformed into a Winter Wonderland this Christmas under the cover of huge festive tipis.
Green for go as new town centre car park opens for business
Published on Monday 23 October 2023 at 11:38 am
A £275,000 car park development at Blakewater Lodge, Whalley Range, Blackburn today (23 Oct) opened for business, providing the area and surrounding streets with enhanced safety and accessibility.
Filed under: accessibility | Blakewater | businesses | children | congestion | parking | pedestrians | relief | safety | Whalley Range
Blackburn with Darwen residents asked for views on Council spend
Published on Friday 20 October 2023 at 11:11 am
A survey has been launched by Blackburn with Darwen Council to ask residents, businesses and partners their views on what they feel spending priorities should be in the next financial year.
Filed under: Consultation | finance settlement | finances | funding | government funding | Public Consultation | survey
Showstopping Christmas lights switch on event planned for Blackburn!
Published on Thursday 19 October 2023 at 4:30 pm
A show-stopping, foot-tapping musicals extravaganza is on the cards for this year’s Blackburn town centre Christmas lights switch on!
N-Trance set to headline Darwen Christmas Lights Switch On!
Published on Tuesday 17 October 2023 at 12:12 pm
Get ready to set your Christmas spirit free at the Darwen lights switch on with headline act, N-Trance!
Blackburn Market food hall is ‘thrice as nice!’
Published on Friday 13 October 2023 at 5:38 pm
If you’re in the market for seriously good food, then we have just the place for you!
CCTV leads Council crackdown on litterbugs
Published on Thursday 5 October 2023 at 5:47 pm
A Bastwell and Daisyfield councillor has welcomed a newly-installed CCTV camera at a notorious littering hot-spot and warned offenders that they could face a fine of up to £150.
Filed under: anti-social behaviour | ASB | Ash | Bastwell | businesses | camera | cameras | cars | cctv | community | Councillor | enforcement< envirocrime | environment | environmental crime | fines | litter | prosecution | Shaukat Hussain | Street | Takeaway | vehicles | ward
Seeing double: £4m plans revealed for youth facilities in Blackburn with Darwen
Published on Tuesday 3 October 2023 at 1:05 pm
Darwen Youth Centre could almost double in size as part of impressive £3m plans revealed today.
Blackburn Youth Zone event is ‘Wonderful Electric’
Published on Tuesday 3 October 2023 at 10:17 am
Blackburn Youth Zone has revealed an exciting new creative collaboration with celebrated artist Jamie Holman and curator Alex Zawadzki.
Award-winning new tenant ‘brewing’ for Blackburn’s Cultural Quarter
Published on Wednesday 27 September 2023 at 5:44 pm
The finest craft beers could soon be ‘on tap’ in Blackburn’s new £50m Cultural Quarter.
Blackburn with Darwen Council is in advanced discussions with award-winning Blackedge Brewery to move into number 35 Northgate.
First-look at how Blackburn’s historic fire-hit church could be transformed
Published on Friday 15 September 2023 at 9:50 am
New images show how Blackburn’s St John’s church could be transformed into an impressive new Innovation Hub.
New manufacturing and research centre in Darwen could be ‘huge coup’
Published on Friday 15 September 2023 at 9:49 am
Plans have been revealed for a new manufacturing and research centre in Darwen – supported by the £100m Town Deal.
Your chance to review proposed Local Plan modifications
Published on Friday 25 August 2023 at 12:29 pm
Residents are being invited to review and comment on proposed modifications to Blackburn with Darwen Council’s new Local Plan.
Blog post: Blackburn with Darwen’s People’s Jury ‘Get it Done’
Published on Wednesday 23 August 2023 at 4:52 pm
In this new blog, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Climate Change Projects Officer, Chloe Green, updates on the People’s Jury and their role in the recent National Festival of Making.
Blackburn with Darwen Council’s new clampdown on HMOs
Published on Thursday 17 August 2023 at 4:14 pm
New rules are now in place in Blackburn with Darwen preventing family homes from being converted to HMOs without planning permission.
Tributes paid to volunteers who ‘made things happen’ at the National Festival of Making
Published on Sunday 30 July 2023 at 7:25 pm
The Mayor and Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council both joined crowds at Blackburn Library on 19 July in a celebration of almost 100 volunteers who helped ensure the recent success of Blackburn’s fifth National Festival of Making, and its first as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.
Filed under: Artists | arts | Arts Council England | ational Portfolio Organisation (NPO) | CIC | Creative | Culture | Festival of Making | heritage | Leader | manufacturing | mayor | National Festival of Making | NPO# | Riley | Volunteers
Council’s investment to shore up traffic safety at town centre hot-spot
Published on Friday 21 July 2023 at 4:47 pm
Work is to start next week (w/c Monday 24 July 2023) on a new car park at Blakewater Lodge, Whalley Range in Blackburn, designed to provide safer parking for those on the school-run, shoppers and visitors to the area.
Filed under: access | Blackburn | Blackburn Town Centre | Blakewater Lodge | business | car park | cars | child safety | construction | Councillor | Highways | Mahmood | parking | project | Roads | schools | St John CE Primary School | Swallow Drive
Darwen Town Deal: Darwen Market Update
Published on Wednesday 19 July 2023 at 5:23 pm
We’ve met with traders from Darwen Market today to update them on the Darwen Town Deal plans.
Record visitors ‘make’ festival weekend a huge success!
Published on Tuesday 11 July 2023 at 10:35 am
Record crowds turned out to the National Festival of Making this weekend – filling the streets of Blackburn town centre.
‘Check’ out the new outdoor area at Blackburn’s Checks & Greys!
Published on Friday 7 July 2023 at 10:49 am
The new Bishop of Blackburn is encouraging residents to ‘flock’ to the Cathedral’s café to enjoy impressive improvements to its outdoor area.
Raising the roof on Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery!
Published on Monday 3 July 2023 at 5:39 pm
The scaffolding is up and work has started on vital repairs to the roof at Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery.
Darwen’s Herbert Parkinson celebrates its stitch in time!
Published on Thursday 29 June 2023 at 4:37 pm
Herbert Parkinson Ltd has thrown open its doors to celebrate 70 years as a John Lewis Partner.
Countdown is on to the National Festival of Making!
Published on Wednesday 28 June 2023 at 4:16 pm
Start making plans – the National Festival of Making is this weekend and not to be missed!
Council’s proposed new Local Plan takes major step forward
Published on Tuesday 13 June 2023 at 3:17 pm
The Council is delighted to announce that its ambitious new Local Plan has taken another major step forward, helping to secure on-going housing, employment, environmental and infrastructure improvements for the next 15 years.
Huge shift in gear for Blackburn firm specialising in Formula 1 parts
Published on Monday 12 June 2023 at 5:13 pm
A successful Blackburn precision engineering company is forecast to double its turnover following £1m of investment.
July opening for Blackburn’s new Go Ape!
Published on Friday 9 June 2023 at 2:36 pm
Go Ape is set to open its brand new high ropes experience in Blackburn’s flagship park this summer.
Howzat! Impressive £250K transformation of Darwen Cricket Club facilities revealed!
Published on Saturday 3 June 2023 at 10:40 am
Darwen Cricket Club’s impressive clubhouse transformation is now well over the line with help from the Darwen Town Deal.
National Festival of Making ‘Art in Manufacturing’ commissions revealed
Published on Friday 19 May 2023 at 1:57 pm
Top artists are set to work with three of Blackburn with Darwen’s leading businesses as part of the National Festival of Making’s ‘Art in Manufacturing’ programme.
Award-winning festival is back for 2023!
Published on Tuesday 16 May 2023 at 12:06 pm
Make space in your diary – the National Festival of Making is back for 2023 and it’s not to be missed!
First-ever Western film to be celebrated in Blackburn
Published on Wednesday 10 May 2023 at 2:55 pm
An impressive new piece of art celebrating the world’s first-ever Western film is set to be installed – right here in Blackburn!
Work starts on quality new gateway development in Blackburn
Published on Thursday 23 March 2023 at 7:54 pm
Its full speed ahead for the construction of a brand new employment site in Blackburn – brought forward as part of a £13m gateway scheme.
Akbar’s on the menu for Blackburn’s £50m Cultural Quarter
Published on Thursday 23 March 2023 at 7:51 pm
Blackburn with Darwen Council is in advanced discussions with Akbar’s to join its £50m new Cultural Quarter.
First ever jobs and skills fair a huge success
Published on Wednesday 22 March 2023 at 1:34 pm
Almost 200 people who attended the Blackburn with Darwen Jobs and Skills Fair have been able to secure job offers or employment opportunities.
£20m boost for Blackburn with Darwen as new Government Levelling Up Partner
Published on Tuesday 21 March 2023 at 12:43 pm
Blackburn with Darwen has been announced as a new Government Levelling Up Partner – unlocking £20m of new funding.
Caught on camera: Shopfront facelifts of historically-important Blackburn buildings
Published on Thursday 9 March 2023 at 10:29 am
Stunning new shopfronts have been revealed on two Blackburn buildings – including one which was once home to pioneering filmmakers Mitchell and Kenyon.
Next steps for Darwen town centre regeneration revealed
Published on Wednesday 1 March 2023 at 9:02 am
Detailed designs are starting to be developed for the future transformation of Darwen Market – part of the £100m Darwen Town Deal.
Blackburn artist Jamie Holman recognised for putting Blackburn on the map
Published on Monday 13 February 2023 at 9:00 am
Jamie Holman is this year’s recipient of the prestigious One Voice Leader’s Award.
The top accolade, supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council, acknowledges individuals or an organisation that has shown strong leadership, enhanced the reputation of the town and shown a strong cohesion ethos.
Filed under: Art | Artists | award | awards | Jamie Holman
Discounted evening and weekend bus travel across Lancashire
Published on Thursday 9 February 2023 at 4:38 pm
Great value bus fares are now available on most Lancashire bus services for evenings out and weekend travel until 2025.
Council’s bid to buy Blackburn’s iconic Imperial Mill revealed
Published on Thursday 2 February 2023 at 9:20 am
Blackburn with Darwen Council is seeking to buy a landmark mill in Blackburn – safeguarding its future for employment and new cultural opportunities.
£20m LUF win for Blackburn paves way for M65 improvements
Published on Thursday 19 January 2023 at 10:04 am
Blackburn with Darwen Council has secured £20m of Levelling Up funding – bolstering its ambitious £1bn growth plans for the borough.
Blackburn Cathedral chosen by the BBC to broadcast services this Christmas
Published on Monday 12 December 2022 at 2:38 pm
Blackburn Cathedral has been chosen by the BBC to host its Christmas services and for the first time in the corporation’s history it will be broadcasting at the same venue on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Filed under: Blackburn Cathedral | Blackburn Cathedral Square | Christmas
£7m of new funding announced for Blackburn with Darwen
Published on Wednesday 7 December 2022 at 9:54 am
Blackburn with Darwen Council has had its bid for almost £7m of Government funding agreed.
The UK Shared Prosperity funding will be focused on business growth and skills opportunities, culture and place-making, and supporting young people.
Blackburn Gingerbread Christmas Trail set to launch
Published on Wednesday 30 November 2022 at 11:45 am
Families looking for some free festive fun are invited to come and take part in Blackburn BID’s Gingerbread Christmas Trail.
Strictly’s AJ Odudu scores a 10 with the crowds at Blackburn Lights Switch On!
Published on Monday 28 November 2022 at 11:12 am
Blackburn TV presenter AJ Odudu wowed record crowds at the Blackburn Christmas Lights switch on.
Television presenter AJ, who was born in the town and whose family still live here, was the special guest at the Blackburn Glitter Ball Christmas Lights Switch On in Blackburn town centre on Saturday.
John Lewis Foundation’s £100,000 Christmas gift to Youth Zone Darwen
Published on Wednesday 23 November 2022 at 9:32 am
Christmas really has come early for Youth Zone Darwen thanks to a £100K funding boost from the John Lewis Foundation Trust.
In pictures: Darwen Christmas Lights 2022
Published on Tuesday 22 November 2022 at 2:52 pm
Record crowds gathered in Darwen Market Square for the Christmas Lights Switch On this weekend.
90s hit makers, D:Ream were the headline act, joined on stage by the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Suleman Khonat, and the Deputy Leader of the Town Council, Councillor Kevin Connor, for the big countdown.