Warm welcome for Blackburn Visitors

Blackbun’s gateway sign at Larkhill is now underway, capturing rich and diverse history of Blackburn.

From the Middle Ages and the arrival of the Romans to today’s bustling and vibrant town, the 140 metre long sign is already taking shape. It will greet visitors and chart the significant milestones in Blackburn’s history.

They include the town becoming the ‘weaving capital of the world’ in first half of the 18^th century when its population swelled from 5,000 to over 130,000 and later on the establishment of Thwaites’ brewery in 1807.

1875 brought into being Blackburn Rovers and 1967 saw a name check from one of the biggest bands in the world who sang about ‘four thousand holes’ which were set to ‘fill the Albert Hall’.

Finally the sign on Whalley New Road, which was produced by Signs Express concludes with today’s multi-million pound regeneration programme including the new bus station dubbed ‘the Harrods of bus stations’.

Councillor Phil Riley, Executive member for Regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

“This signage is part of the continuing efforts to welcome visitors to the town and to show that Blackburn is changing. It illustrates the town’s long and varied history and points to the exciting future.”