History

Blackburn first gets a mention in the Domesday Book, as Blacheborn, in 1086, but the town really came into its own during the Industrial Revolution when it became one of the world’s first industrialised towns.

A centre of weaving since the 13th century, textile manufacture rapidly became Blackburn’s main industry until by the mid 19th century it was known as the “weaving capital of the world” and its population rose dramatically from less than 5,000 to over 130,000.

The cotton industry went into a terminal decline in the mid 20th century and Blackburn’s mills were slowly closed down. By 1976 there were only 2,100 looms still in operation, from a peak of 79,405 in 1907. Blackburn faced many of the same issues as other northern industrial towns such as high unemployment, movement of the population to other towns and cities and lack of investment.

Today, however, Blackburn is benefiting from major regeneration with significant improvements made over the last 15 years and more impressive plans for the future. Blackburn has reinvented itself as a thriving, modern, multi-cultural town, drawing on its fascinating industrial heritage to attract investors and tourists alike.