The Changing Town
Blackburn is currently undergoing a physical and cultural renaissance. In 1998 major regeneration work began to address some of the issues facing the town and create the masterplan for the Blackburn of the future – attractive, accessible, economically viable and thriving. In short, a great place to live, work, visit and invest.
Driven by Blackburn with Darwen Council, the work has been funded by public bodies including the North West Development Agency, European Regional Development Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund. There has also been significant private sector investment, particularly in the development of The Malls.
Getting around
Traffic congestion and poor pedestrian access were highlighted as major problems in the town centre. A new orbital route around the town was an essential part of Blackburn’s regeneration and has removed unnecessary traffic and opened up major new development sites. Pedestrianising or increasing pedestrian priority in some town centre roads has also removed through traffic and made the town centre safer for those travelling on foot.
The £9 million Freckleton Street Bridge, due for completion in 2009, and new link road to Montague Street will complete the transport transformation.
A better environment
Major public realm improvements have turned around the public perception of the town and created an attractive physical environment with pedestrian-friendly public spaces. The overall image of the town centre has been improved and greater links have been made between the centre and several key areas of the town, such as Church Street, Darwen Street, King Street, Sudell Cross and Whalley Range, opening up greater opportunities for future investment.
Regeneration hotspots
Church Street
A £3 million project to regenerate this area was completed in 2003. The historic Waterloo Pavilions were renovated, creating three new independent businesses, a new visitor centre and café has increased visitor numbers and the new entrance to The Mall will vastly improve the appearance of the street.
King Street Heritage Corridor
This historic gateway to the town has undergone major public realm improvements and several of the town’s important heritage buildings are now back in commercial use thanks to a Townscape Heritage Initiative programme. The most ambitious of these is 33 King Street, renovated by the East Lancs Deaf Society, which now houses modern offices and retail accommodation.
Blackburn College
A multi-million pound project is ongoing to turn the college into a world-class academic campus with a view to securing university status in the future. The first phase featured the environmentally friendly St Paul’s Centre, housing the new sixth form and IT suite, which opened in September 2007. Further developments include higher and adult education buildings and a motor vehicle workshop among others.
Whalley Range Bazaar
Once out on a limb beyond Barbara Castle Way, the vibrant Whalley Range Bazaar has now been integrated into the main shopping area with a £1.3 million environmental improvement scheme featuring new pedestrian links, attractive signage, paving and street furniture and exciting new branding. The area is now being promoted to Asian and non-Asian visitors as one of Blackburn’s leading tourist destinations.
The Mall
The giant concrete walls of The Mall, which effectively cut the town in half, are undergoing a £66 million facelift, transforming the town’s main shopping centre into a spectacular, three-story, glazed retail experience. The project, which is due to be completed in 2009, will provide Blackburn with 20 new shops, including major chain stores, 200 additional parking spaces and a new continental style market.
Sudell Cross
Once blighted by traffic congestion and ugly street clutter, this gateway street is now reaching its full potential thanks to a £1.3 million environmental improvement scheme. Traffic has been removed and views restored along the street, providing visitors with a high quality environment to match the high quality shops and cafes situated here. The emphasis is now on pleasant outside space, ideal for pavement cafes and outdoor events.
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Cathedral Quarter
One of Blackburn’s hidden gems, the award-winning Cathedral Quarter has the renovated Anglican Cathedral as the centrepiece of a cluster of regeneration projects. Phase 1 of a £45 million project to regenerate the Cathedral Precinct gets underway in 2008/09 and includes apartments, retail/leisure units, underground parking, two new public green spaces, an ecclesiastical library and the county’s first new cathedral close, Clergy Court, to be built since mediaeval times.
Capita Blackburn Business Centre
This £3.5 million landmark building on Barbara Castle Way was completed in 2004, bringing 200 new public sector jobs to Blackburn and opening up a previously underused area of the town centre. The Capita building has set the standard for design in this area and it is hoped that other public sector office developments will follow.
Not all of the improvements to Blackburn town centre are physical. Several business support projects and employment initiatives are underway to boost the town’s economy, while public transport services have been improved to help access to the town. A cleanliness and maintenance programme has been introduced with a town centre manager to oversee improvements and town centre rangers employed to deal with issues on the ground. Greater security measures are now in place around the town centre and work is ongoing to promote Blackburn as a tourist destination.
