Weekend road closure in Darwen to promote social distancing at bars & restaurants

Town centre roads in Darwen will be closed at weekends to enable restaurants, bars and pubs to set up seating outside.

Outside space is also being created in Blackburn to make it safe for people visiting local venues to keep at a social distance.

Promotion work including posters and leaflets, as well as barriers and panels are also being supplied to enable businesses to open safely.

Starting on August 21st, a section of Church Street/Railway Road and Bridge Street in Darwen will be closed from 7pm on Friday and Saturday nights.

From that weekend, outdoor space will also be created on Darwen Street, Blackburn.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has received European and government funding to help reopen the High Street safely and these highways improvements will create safe and larger spaces outdoors for customers of the many restaurants and bars in this area.

The borough is a high risk area of further Covid-19 cases and new restrictions are in place to prevent the spread of the virus. We are in danger of a local lockdown if positive Covid cases continue to rise. People from Blackburn with Darwen must only visit restaurants, bars and pubs with members of their own household.

The Government funding will pay for the equipment and works to enable road closures between 7pm and 5am on Friday and Saturday evenings which can be quickly and safely installed and removed by highways staff.

The scheme is aimed at helping businesses adapt to social distancing and make it easier for them to serve food and drinks at outdoor seating.

Councillor Jane Oates, Lead Member for Growth and Development at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

We need to work together to fight the virus and prevent it spreading further. We want to support the local economy and jobs, while still ensuring we are all following Government guidance.

The outdoor seating areas will help businesses to promote social distancing but they will still have a responsibility to ensure that customers do follow the guidance.

Creating pop-up leisure spaces is a key government request to help the hospitality economy recover whilst ensuring safe distancing.

For further information, visit www.blackburn.gov.uk.