£1.5m allocated to rejuvenate former Blackburn cinema

£1.5m of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council's £20m government funding has been allocated to a project which would bring back to life an iconic building.

The project will revitalise the Grade II listed town centre building which once housed the Apollo cinema but has been vacant for a number of years.

Over the next 12 months, access improvements will include a new eight person lift which will connect the lower ground floor with the entrance level, upper ground level and a new mezzanine level.

The current main stairs will be removed completely to allow for a new entrance into the lower ground floor, which was formally the Tiggis restaurant.

The octagonal tower will be repaired, introducing a new stairway to provide stepped access to the upper floors. New toilets will also be installed on the lower ground and upper ground floors.

Work will take place to raise and replace the unsafe and leaky roof of the 1920s extension behind the main Exchange Hall, bringing it into use for the first time.

A design and development team has already been appointed to drive the scheme forward, including Buttress Architects, with Grant Prescott being the lead architect.

Dr Alastair Murdoch, trustee of the Exchange project, said: "We are absolutely delighted to receive this funding from the council. We look forward to having an accessible, beautiful new entrance that will have a wow factor.

"It will also provide a taste of things to come for the rest of the building.
The charity Re:Source was set up by Re:Ignite Church to purchase, restore and manage The Exchange – the former Apollo Cinema – in September 2015 with a mission to transform the derelict Grade II listed building into a vibrant, diverse destination for the town.

"Supported by a loyal band of volunteers, they’ve been working hard to secure the funding needed to allow for the transformation, with this £1.5m grant helping bring forward an early phase of works.

The wider £20m of new government funding includes significant investment for historic buildings and cultural venues, including £8m for King George’s Hall.

Coun Quesir Mahmood, deputy leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and executive member for growth and development, said: "It’s fantastic to see work already starting using this new investment – work that will make a real difference. 

"The Exchange is an iconic venue in the town centre with a fascinating history and an exciting future ahead, a future we’re really proud to be able to support."

Photo by Shafiq Khan