The Gary Aspden Way

adidas SPZL curator and proud Darrener, Gary Aspden, promised us something truly Spezial in 2024 – and boy, did he deliver!

Steve Jones from the Sex Pistols came.

So did Bernard Sumner from New Order and Chris Lowe from the Pet Shop Boys.

Goldie, Shaun Ryder, and Mani from The Stone Roses all performed, as well as the Stereo MCs.

And the event also brought a brand-new, limited-edition Blackburn Nightsafe adidas shoe, with collectors camping out overnight, desperate to get their hands on a pair.

We are, of course, talking about DECADE – the incredible exhibition celebrating 10 years of adidas SPZL.

This was an event that could have honestly been held anywhere in the world.

But curator and incredibly proud Darrener, Gary Aspden, made it happen here, in his hometown – transforming a former supermarket and part of the high street in the process

While perhaps unthinkable to some, Gary was determined to celebrate the line’s 10-year anniversary in the place that had shaped him as a person and inspired so much of the SPZL archive showcased in the exhibition.

Once again, he was putting the borough on the map – bringing thousands of visitors to Darwen over the 10 days the event ran.

I can’t put into words my connection with Darwen – it’s completely irrational, I suppose love is irrational, though, isn’t it?

This was the third exhibition Gary and his team had brought to our towns, alongside the Liam Gallagher concert at King George’s Hall.

That event caused a huge frenzy in the venue’s centenary year while raising much-needed funds for Nightsafe.

And, in the wake of the immense success of DECADE, it was now Gary’s turn to have his name put on the map – literally!

Recognising his visionary approach to regenerating the borough through culture and his tireless efforts in supporting Nightsafe, a stretch of Knott Street, in Darwen has been renamed ‘Gary Aspden Way.’

While modest about his own achievements, Gary stood in front of his proud mum Lilian, his partner Joanne, as well as family and friends, as others spoke of the huge and lasting difference he has made.

Jan Larkin, Chief Executive of Nightsafe, fought back tears as she said:

Whenever I do talks, I tell people about you – you are, without a shadow of a doubt, the nicest, kindest, most creative, and talented person I have ever met.

The difference you have made to Nightsafe and the young people we help support is just incredible – it’s hard to put into words.

Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, added:

We couldn’t think of a more perfect stretch of road to be naming Gary Aspden Way.

A lot of what Gary does here in Blackburn with Darwen is about inspiring young people, so it feels incredibly fitting that his road should be where the youth centre is.

Gary truly has a fascinating story to tell – a story that should inspire us all. A young lad from Darwen who overcame his struggles and went on to develop his own global adidas line, using his platform for good.

Naming this stretch of the road after him is our way of saying thank you for everything he has done, and we are incredibly proud to do so.

Thank you, Gary – you truly are Spezial!

You can read about Gary’s fascinating journey from being an East Lancs lad to curating his own Spezial range at: www.theshuttle.org.uk

 Be sure to also follow @gary.aspden on Instagram for all the latest updates too.