In special commemoration of the Queen’s visit to Blackburn BLACKBURN April 17, 2014 Arte Et Labore / By Skill and Hard Work
www.visitblackburn.co.uk | Blackburn Visitor Centre: (01254) 669187 WELCOME TO ALL THAT IS BRILLIANT ABOUT BLACKBURN
The borough is a creative, entrepreneurial and entertaining place to be with great ood, good sport and a ashionable heritage as well as being blessed with a bustling town centre.
CONTENTS
02 Building a better Blackburn This is a really exciting time for Blackburn and 03 Map its communities. As a Council we are investing 04 Things to do and see heavily in creating employment, improving 05 A night to remember 06 Ca és and Tea rooms our infrastructure and developing growth 07 Shop till you drop opportunities. I feel it is the residents and their 08 The magic lies outdoors diverse communities that make Blackburn special. 09 Where the wonders never cease Together the Local authority, businesses and 10 Sport 11 Landmarks residents are forging a bigger, brighter and bolder 12 Blackburn’s open or business Blackburn. I am extremely proud to serve the 13 Con erencing and business residents of this vibrant town and Borough. centres 14 Blackburn’s amous olk Councillor Kate Hollern 01 15 Coming soon in Blackburn... Leader o the Council BUILDING A BETTER BLACKBURN Blackburn town centre is at an exciting point in its history. It is currently subject to a multi-million pound investment, with the development o the area known as the CATHEDRAL QUARTER, to include a new hotel.
The £30 million scheme, which It is the most signifi cant addition It is the fi rst part of an ambitious includes a Premier Inn hotel, to the Cathedral since completion development plan for the town restaurants, shops, new bus of the transepts and lantern tower embodied in a 12-point ‘blueprint’ interchange, a public square, in the late 1960s and is central to including restaurants, free weekday landscaped gardens, and new a series of signifi cant regeneration afternoon car parking, reviving the offi ces, will transform one side projects across the town of town’s nightlife and business rates of the town centre and create 350 Blackburn. relief for new ventures. jobs. Clergy Court has been made The strategy includes a major A planned £7m suite of domestic possible through a partnership revamp of the traffi c system to buildings includes the Clergy with the Cathedral Chapter, encourage people to drive into the Court residential development with Blackburn with Darwen Borough town to shop, eat, drink and go a refectory open to the public and Council, the Homes and out for the evening; the creation of cloister garden - the fi rst since the Communities Agency and the a hub of new independent shops 16th Century. It will include houses European Regional Development and creative industries in the and apartments for the Cathedral Fund. The Chapter has appointed town centre; and a programme of clergy and lay staff and a small hall the John Turner Construction monthly events with four major of residence for music scholars. Group of Preston to build this festivals a year. landmark project. Clergy Court will also give the Cathedral more space to resource The Cathedral Quarter regeneration its community cohesion and project will transform the town educational work. centre, create hundreds of jobs and will encourage people to use the area around the cathedral more, Proposed both for work and leisure time. Commercial Offi ce Building It is fi tting that the Queen is returning to Blackburn at a time when work has now begun on the new Cathedral Quarter. It is an exciting time for Blackburn and the region. The Rt Rev. Julian Henderson Bishop o Blackburn
02 Blackburn is a wonderfully diverse place with many shopping, leisure and cultural activities MAP for everyone to enjoy. Harry Kay BROO KHOU Blackburn with DarwenSE LN Youth MP
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E E B country. B 03 HASLINGDEN RD Did you know? THINGS TO World Leaders: Did you know Blackburn was the weaving capital o the world? It was the birthplace o the Industrial DO AND SEE Revolution. James Hargreaves the inventor o the Spinning Jenny ATTRACTIONS was a weaver here. Blackburn has a thriving cultural scene with two excellent arts centres in the town or within easy reach. King George’s Hall consists o three separate venues o ering everything rom pop to pantomime, while Thwaites Empire Theatre also welcomes big names rom the world o entertainment.
King George’s Hall MUSEUMS AND ART BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL GALLERIES Blackburn Cathedral is one of From books to beetles and England’s newest cathedrals, yet it from mummies to machinery, is one of the country’s oldest places Blackburn Museum and Art of Christian worship. gallery has something to intrigue It was mentioned in the Domesday and inspire all ages. It showcases Book of 1086 and it is believed Blackburn’s cotton legacy as well that a church has stood on this site as housing important collections since 596AD. For many centuries, from across the globe. If you want this has been the Parish Church of to fi nd out more about Blackburn’s Blackburn dedicated to St. Mary the fascinating industrial past, a Virgin. heritage tour will help you step back in time and fi nd out more. Blackburn Cathedral as the More information can be found at Cathedral of Lancashire stands www.visitblackburn.co.uk in the heart of multicultural East Lancashire. It has been a cathedral since 1926 and the present building is a much-extended Georgian Gothic Parish Church of 1826. It is a magnifi cent building with a superb organ and excellent acoustics. The cathedral also has a small but impressive collection of 20th and 21st century modern art. The Cathedral is the centre of Diocese of Blackburn (The Church of England in Lancashire) and the only Anglican cathedral in the County.
Blackburn has always been bursting with talent and we want to do all we can to support this and let people know Blackburn is Open. We have the ‘big hitters’ like the acclaimed fi lm director Michael Winterbottom and the director of The Manchester International Festival, Christine Cort but also a small army of Blackburnians making a diff erence up and down the UK.
Wayne Hemingway MBE Designer 04 Blackburn is Open Pop-up Art Centre
As well as some great little pubs and bars, Blackburn is also ast building a reputation or musical talent and has a thriving live music scene across a number o di erent venues in the town. ‘First Thursdays’ sees venues throughout the town centre like Blakey’s, Blackburn Museum, Blackburn Library and the new pop-up arts centre opening till late with events to suit everyone on the irst Thursday o every month. A NIGHT TO REMEMBER CINEMA RESTAURANTS A SELCTION OF The state-of-the-art, 10-screen Vue AND PUBS BLACKBURN Cinema, part of the Townsmoor The town has a diverse range RESTAURANTS Leisure Park, is conveniently of restaurants from high street Clog and Billycock, Pleasington, located just behind the railway names such as Chiquito’s, Frankie Blackburn, BB2 6QB station. Showing all the latest and Benny’s and Pizza Hut, The Oyster & Otter, Livesey blockbusters and Bollywood hits, local favourites such as Maida Branch Road, Feniscowles, the multiplex also includes a Indian Restaurant and Calypso Blackburn, BB2 5DQ speed bar and ice cream café. Caribbean Restaurant to country Liz n’ Lils, 108 Northgate, pubs such as Clog and Billycock Blackburn BB2 1AA The town centre also now has a and fi ne dining establishment Chiquito, Lower Audley Street, pop-up cinema in King William Northcote Manor. Scholars is Blackburn, BB1 1BB Street as part of the Blackburn is Blackburn College’s fully licensed Frankie & Benny’s, Lower Audley Open programme. restaurant & off ers a great dining Street, Blackburn, BB1 1BB experience in the centre of town. Pizza Hut, Lower Audley Street, BOWLPLEX They also hold regular themed Blackburn, BB1 1BB nights on Thursday evenings, Maida Indian Restaurant, It’s more than just bowling! which give their students chance 16 Eanam, Blackburn, BB1 5BY Bowlplex is an entertainment to try new & exciting menus. Roomali, Fine Dining, complex packed full of fun Whilst Blackburn Market boasts 1 Lowercock Croft, Blackburn activities for all ages. Located a real hive of culinary choice BB2 1JX in the Townsmoor Leisure Park, from exotic curry meal deals to Scholars Restaurant, Feilden St., it has a 24-lane, computerised traditional locally sourced fayre. Blackburn BB2 1LH bowling alley complete with Calypso Caribbean Restaurant, bumpers and ramps to help people Eanam Wharf, Blackburn, of all abilities strike it lucky. BB1 5BY Saigon Bu et, 21 Exchange Street, Blackburn, BB1 7JN The best thing about Blackburn is how The Courthouse Restaurant, 33 Kings Court, Blackburn, friendly the people are. I fi nd that when I come BB2 2HD back up north everyone is really chatty and Northcote, Langho, Blackburn, BB6 8BE welcoming. I love coming home and hearing everyone’s northern tones. Diana Vickers 05 Pop Singer CAFÉS AND TEA ROOMS
There are a whole host o ca és and tea rooms in Blackburn whether you want a quick bite or relaxing a ernoon tea. We’re very proud o our ood and drink heritage in Lancashire and we want to encourage consumers and traders in Blackburn to ‘Think, Buy, Eat Local.’
BLACKBURN TOWN SPICE OF LIFE Did you know? CENTRE CAFÉS Whalley Range Bazaar is Diverse community: Did you Exchange Co ee Company, Blackburn’s vibrant and historic know that Blackburn’s Anjum Fleming Square, Blackburn, BB2 Asian quarter. It has a thriving Anwar MBE was the irst Muslim 2DG food and drink scene and enough to be appointed to the sta o a Simply Chocolicious Ca é, Regent authentic restaurants, cafés and Cathedral anywhere in the world, Street, Blackburn, BB1 5PJ food shops, specialising in cuisine to act as dialogue development Ca é in the Crypt, Blackburn from the Sub-Continent, to rival o cer. It’s the irst Christian- Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA Manchester’s famous ‘Curry Mile’. Muslim partnership o its kind. Blakeys Ca é Bar, King Georges Hall, Northgate, BB2 1AA Ca é Revive at M&S, King William Street, Blackburn Brew Room at One Rovers Store, Church Street, Blackburn Liz n’ Lils, King William St. Backburn 01254 698976
COUNTRY CAFÉS AND TEA ROOMS Turton Tower Tea Room, Chapeltown Road, Turton Pavillion Ca e, Witton Park, Blackburn
Blakeys Café Bar There’s a real sense of community spirit amongst Blackburn’s residents that you don’t always see in other areas. Everyone pulls together as a team to help each other along – it’s a wonderful place. Christine Connell Founder and volunteer at Ivy Street Community Centre 06 The Mall, Blackburn
There’s no need to travel miles out o town to experience great retail therapy. Blackburn is rapidly establishing itsel as a shopping hotspot with a antastic and diverse range o high quality shops and stores. As well as major high street names you can also browse the great selection o independent businesses and popular specialist shops packed with character. SHOP THE MALL SHOPPING CENTRE The Mall off ers a long list of high street brands as well as some TILL YOU Blackburn unique independent stores. The Market recently opened £66 million extension has added leading DROP retailers such as Primark and H&M to the mix. BLACKBURN MARKET Blackburn’s award-winning Market is at the heart of BLACKBURN’S Blackburn Town Centre in The INDEPENDENT SHOPS Mall Shopping Centre. Off ering Step outside The Mall shopping traditional values but within a centre and discover all Blackburn modern, new, bright environment. has to off er. The independent From fresh, locally sourced food, shops off er a variety of specialist to the latest technology. You will products. soon fi nd out that whatever you want; you can get it on Blackburn Market. We at The Mall love being in Blackburn. We are at the TRANSPORT AND very heart of the community and we are proud to serve PARKING the people of Blackburn and beyond. The development Blackburn is well served by public transport. Plus there is free of The Mall was one of the fi rst regeneration projects parking on all Blackburn Council to be completed within the town, and really shows the owned car parks during the week after 3pm and on Saturdays, commitment businesses and the Council have towards including the multi-storey Fielden Blackburn. The future is defi nitely bright for Blackburn. Street car park. Loraine Jones 07 General Manager at The Mall Blackburn I love Blackburn, I love its communities, its heritage and its cultures. We are a fantastic friendly Borough with innovative, talented and inspiring people. I am proud to represent and serve as Mayor for all the communities in this remarkable town and Borough. Councillor Salim Mulla Mayor o Blackburn with Darwen THE MAGIC LIES OUTDOORS
Did you know? Free itness: Did you know people can access ree leisure in Blackburn? Swimming and gym activities are ree to people who live, work, attend ull time education or who have a GP within the borough.
Blackburn is set amongst miles o magni icent countryside with vibrant landscape, rugged moorland, ancient woodlands and tranquil reservoirs.
Whatever your age or interest HERITAGE TOWN TRAILS WALKING the great outdoors surrounding Discover Blackburn’s incredible Blackburn sits at the heart of Blackburn is full of activities history as a leading industrial Lancashire’s Hill Country. Here including walking and cycle town when cotton was king and you can experience the dramatic routes, heritage and nature weaving was big business. Self- moorland, tranquil reservoirs, trails, and outdoor attractions. guided Heritage Town Trails will traditional farmland and wooded Covering 90 square miles of help you explore the town from a valleys. A range of walking routes rural Lancashire and Greater new perspective, revealing stories to suit all abilities are available Manchester, the West Pennine behind of some of Blackburn’s across the Borough. Moors provides the great outdoors historic buildings and taking you experience on the doorstep of back to a time when the town was Blackburn and Darwen. the weaving capital of the world. CYCLING AND RIDING Maps for cycling and riding routes are available at: CANALS www.visitblackburn.co.uk The longest canal in Britain, 127- mile long Leeds and Liverpool Canal is thought by many to be the fi nest in England. 08 As a Blackburn lad, born and bred and proud of it, the area is a great place to do business – it’s entrepreneurial, with great local pride and a desire to be successful. Andrew Graham CEO, Graham and Brown
Corporation Park WHERE THE Did you know? WONDERS Higher Eanam Windmill: Not a lot o people are aware the Blackburn once had a windmill, built by NEVER CEASE Samuel Derbyshire in 1822 and the appropriately named John Miller. It stood Close to Blackburn town centre are Corporation and on the canal bank and the Witton Country Parks set in acres o countryside o ering land was bought or £160! picnic spots, walks and nature trails, as well as a children’s adventure playground, providing an ideal amily day out.
CORPORATION PARK QUEEN’S PARK was WITTON PARK is one offi cially opened on 22 October opened in June 1887 having of the largest urban outdoor 1857, with shops and mills closing been laid out at a cost of spaces in the country. With a for the day, church bells ringing, £10,000 on land acquired by full-size athletic track, currently and fl ags fl ying from public Blackburn Corporation from the being redeveloped, it is home to buildings. Railway companies Ecclesiastical Commissioners the Blackburn Harriers which claimed 14,000 people travelled in 1882. It originally had two produced three fi nalists at the to the town for the opening. bowling greens, two tennis courts, London 2012 Olympics – hammer A conservatory was opened a lake of over 3 acres, a children’s thrower Sophie Hitchon, pole- in the park on 16 May 1900. paddling pool, a bandstand, and a vaulter Holy Bleasdale, and Within Corporation Park is the refreshment room. Two additional modern pentathlon silver medallist Blackburn War Memorial which bowling greens and a pavilion Sam Murray. commemorates people who lost were added in 1932. their lives in WWI and WWII. 09 Did you know? Record breaking: Did you know Ewood Park was the setting o a new Guinness World Record, when a one tonne Chicken SPORT Samosa was made in recognition o club owners Venkys. Blackburn has some antastic sporting opportunities. Home to Blackburn Rovers Football Club, Blackburn Ice Arena, various leisure centres and climbing acilities and a number o excellent Gol courses there really is something or everyone.
BLACKBURN ROVERS FC GOLF SOCCERDOME Blackburn Rovers Football Club is For those who like the outdoors Blackburn’s Soccerdome has the boroughs acclaimed football Blackburn and Darwen have a fi tness centre, superstore, 11 club based at Ewood Park. eye-catching and spectacular indoor pitches and gym, making a countryside, perfect for playing great day out for fi tness fans. ICE SKATING golf, there are 6 golf courses Something diff erent – but equally for the serious players and two BOULDER UK exciting – is a visit to Blackburn driving ranges for those who want Fantastic facility for climbing Ice Arena to ‘Holler for the to fl ex your arms and have some enthusiasts. Indoor bouldering Hawks’, Blackburn’s pro-ice fun. wall provides a wicked challenge hockey team. The arena is the for beginners and veterans alike. North West Regional Centre of Ice The shop stocks a wide range of Skating Excellence. climbing gear & accessories. Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn is a town that is close to my heart. When I was growing up I wanted to be a professional footballer and dreamed of playing for my local club. My dream came true and I have Blackburn to thank for that. I am passionate about this town and the people here. I’m committed to helping young people achieve their best in life.
David Dunn Blackburn Rovers mid ielder 10 LANDMARKS BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL Blackburn industrialist and club RAILWAY STATION In 1926 a new Church of England supporter, Jack Walker. The Blackburn railway station features Diocese for Lancashire was stadium also houses conference a 24-foot mural by Ormskirk-based created, centred on Blackburn, and banqueting facilities. contemporary artist Stephen and the existing St Mary The Charnock. It depicts eight famous Virgin Church in Blackburn was faces associated with the town, elevated to Cathedral status. It TOWN HALL including Mohandas Gandhi, who The construction of Blackburn’s was later extended to the building visited nearby Darwen in 1931. original, Italian renaissance we have today. Blackburn was The station was renovated in 2000. style 19th century town hall was selected above other locations to completed in 1856 at a cost of host the Cathedral for the new £35,000 - equivalent to about PUBLIC ART Anglican ‘Diocese of Blackburn’ Blackburn with Darwen Council £1.5 million today. The architect because of its excellent transport have made refurbishments and was James Paterson. It originally infrastructure; something that is as renovations of key public places, housed a police station with 18 true today as it was back in 1926! notably the Church Street area with cells, a large assembly room, and a its Grade II listed art deco Waterloo council chamber. EWOOD PARK Pavilions complemented by street On 18 November 1995, the newly furniture and sculptures. re-developed Ewood Park was THE WAINWRIGHT There are a number of other public offi cially opened. With a capacity BRIDGE Opened in June 2008, the £12 art pieces in Blackburn including of 31,367, the facility comprises million bowstring arch bridge the prominent braid and transitions four sections: the Darwen End, crosses the East Lancashire and sculptures in Blackburn Town Riverside Stand (named as such Ribble Valley railway lines west Centre as well as pieces in more because it stands practically on of the town centre and forms part rural locations. The Blackburn the banks of the River Darwen), of the A6078 Town Centre Orbital Panopticon off ers panoramic views Blackburn End, and Jack Walker Route. The bridge is named after over Corporation park. Stand, which is named after Alfred Wainwright following a vote by the townspeople. QUEEN VICTORIA’S STATUE Blackburn’s statue of Queen We are proud to have our headquarters in Blackburn Victoria is located next to the and from here supporting over 2,000 employees Cathedral grounds overlooking the old bus station site. Victoria’s across our national estate of 180 forecourt site fourth daughter, Princess Louise, operations. As we continue to grow our ambition is to Duchess of Argyll, unveiled the statue on 30 September 1905. work with the Local Authority and other stakeholders It was sculpted by Australian with a view to investing in a diverse, talented work sculptor Sir Bertram McKennal out of white Sicilian marble and stands force for the future. Ilyas Munshi on a grey granite plinth. Commercial Director, Euro Garages
Wainwright Bridge
Did you know? Innovators: Did you know Blackburn is in the Top 10 or new patents rom 64 towns 11 and cities Launch of the Hive Network at Blackburn Youth Zone
BLACKBURN’S OPEN FOR BUSINESS Blackburn is a hive o business and opportunity.
THE HIVE The Hive Network has been Work doesn’t stop there though. Did you know? established by some of the The Borough plays home to We’re great at making things: Borough’s most infl uential people 4,880 businesses, has a higher Blackburn-based Heritage and companies, more than 180 business start-up rate than in Envelopes produces 2.5 business leaders have already Lancashire or any other East billion (yes, billion!) envelopes signed-up to the Network. Lancashire authority and is 11th every year, and the number’s on the list for the proportion of It was offi cially launched at growing. Global wall papering high-growth businesses in any Blackburn Youth Zone in 2012 giant Graham and Brown town in the UK. The Council’s with an aim to turn the Borough manu actures 20 million rolls o economic development company, into a ‘world class’ business area. wallpaper rom their Blackburn Regenerate Pennine Lancashire, See www.business-hive.co.uk actory every year, whilst we’re is also working hard to allocate Wainwright Bridge also home to Accrol Papers – one grants of all sizes to new and o Europe’s largest independent existing fi rms having secured so tissue converters, with a £16.5m of government funding manu acturing capacity in excess to help Lancashire’s businesses o 60,000 tonnes per annum. invest and grow. That’s a lot o toilet rolls! See www.regeneratepl.co.uk
Working together, the Business community and the Council are transforming Blackburn and the Borough. We are providing new infrastructure, new opportunities and creating new jobs. We are turning Blackburn and the surrounding area into a landscape ripe for investment, employment and success. Khalid Sai ullah Director o Star Tissue and Chair o Hive Network 12 CONFERENCING AND BUSINESS CENTRES
Blackburn’s eco- riendly managed centres o er a world o opportunity or new and existing companies.
The great thing about There are various offi ce suites BLACKBURN YOUTH available, suitable for diff erent ZONE Blackburn is the people. Warm types of businesses and able to Opened in 2012 Blackburn’s with great senses of humour, accommodate for future expansion. Youth Zone is a pioneering If you need a place for a meeting, project that helps Blackburn’s they’re straight-talkers who a seminar or multimedia driven Young People get the most out of always let you know where conference, then all the facilities themselves. Focussed on creativity are at hand together with the and physical activity, it is directly they stand on things – and expertise of the staff . linked to local business and the what you’re doing wrong! It’s a Local Authority, with both of Business Development Centre them committed to the continued privilege to serve them as editor Eanam Wharf development of the towns young of the Lancashire Telegraph. Blackburn BB1 5BL people. Telephone 01254 503200
Business Enterprise Centre Kevin Young Furthergate Group Editor, Blackburn BB1 3HQ Lancashire Telegraph Telephone 01254 505000 Did you know? Blackburn Technology Best school: Blackburn has Management Centre the best rated high school in Challenge Way the country? In September Blackburn BB1 5QB 2013, a group o leading Telephone 01254 261262 academics commissioned by Trinity Mirror’s Data Unit ranked Tauheedul as the highest among over 3,000 state- unded schools
Blackburn Youth Zone 13 BLACKBURN’S
FAMOUS FOLK The people of Blackburn are wonderful, they are In Blackburn we are proud to have a wealth o home-grown friendly, down to earth, and talent and well-known public igures. they haven’t changed, they have always been like that. Opera singer Kathleen Ferrier, The town is also home to Carl brought up on Lynwood Road in Fogarty, arguably the most Everyone is on the same level. Blackburn after her father William successful motorcycle World Blackburn is an absolutely was appointed head teacher of Superbike champion of all time. St James Primary School, was beautiful place with fantastic Blackburn’s Billy Townley was the described at the time of her death, fi rst football player to score a hat- buildings and parks. from cancer aged 41 as “the trick in an FA cup fi nal. second most famous woman in Josephine Cox the world after the Queen”. Whilst England rugby union Blackburn-born author players Will Greenwood and Jack Walker, steel baron and one Iain Balshaw are from the town time owner of local steel company alongside Keith Duckworth Walkersteel, was born in the town famous in the motor racing fi eld in 1929 and lived locally until he as an engine designer. Widely moved to the Channel Islands in acclaimed director, Michael 1974. He was the former owner of Winterbottom, is also Blackburn- Blackburn Rovers. born.
Did you know? Pot holes: The Beatles song “A Day in the Li e” includes the line I read the news today, oh boy, 4,000 holes in Blackburn, Lancashire.” It allegedly came rom an article in the Daily Mail about a plan to ill potholes in the town, which caught John Lennon’s eye as he was writing the song.
14 COMING SOON IN BLACKBURN… Millions o pounds worth o investment and regeneration is set to breathe new li e into the borough. There are a number o on-going key projects currently underway.
ATHLETIC FACILITY BRAND NEW LEISURE The new £2.3m community CENTRE athletics facility at Witton Park, A new £13.5million sports and Blackburn, is due to open soon. swimming complex in Blackburn BUS STATION Home to Blackburn Harriers and town centre is being built. The joint Construction of Blackburn’s Athletics Club; the new facility project between Blackburn with New Bus Station is due to will include: improved changing Darwen Council and Blackburn start on the site of the former facilities; spectator terracing; College will replace the ageing six day market. It is a key part warm up/education room/social Waves Water fun centre. The new of the Pennine Reach £40m space and club room, indoor 60m leisure centre is being built next to major transport project and warm up/training track (6 lane) Feilden Street multi-storey car park. will include 14 stands, will be and 45 station fi tness suite with The sports halls and fi tness areas fully covered and feature the free weight area. Construction will be ready for September 2014 latest technology. It is due to be company, Eric Wright, are and the swimming pools will open completed in early 2015. delivering the project. The existing a year later. running track will remain open to FORMER MARKET SITE An outline planning application the Harriers, schools and members BLACKBURN CENTRAL has been submitted by the of the community throughout LIBRARY The transformation of Blackburn Council for the former market construction. Central Library is well underway. site of the three day market. It NEW SKATEPARK Cladding has been taken off will be redeveloped into a retail The borough is soon to get its Town Hall Street, unveiling the store, which also off ers food. fi rst ever state-of-the-art indoor original 1920’s façade of the skatepark. The facility will be historic building. Work has now based in the former Blackburn began on the Town Hall Street Rovers Sports Academy building elevation and the restoration of the (BRSA) near to Darwen Vale Northgate side of the building is School. It will be used by BMX almost complete. The work, which Did you know? bikes, skateboards, roller blades was necessary for health and Investing in Blackburn: and scooters. It is due to open later safety reasons, will restore both Over £200 million has this year. elevations back to their original been invested in Blackburn 1920’s appearance. over the last 10 years, increasing the number o visitors, shoppers, students and workers in the town centre. £60 million urther investment planned over the next three years. www.visitblackburn.co.uk Blackburn Visitor Centre: (01254) 669187