£1.5m allocated to rejuvenate former Blackburn cinema

By Tim Aldred

27 Aug 2024

The Exchange Blackburn

£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

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Taste Lancashire Producer Awards 2026 open for applications Taste Lancashire Producers awards

Taste Lancashire Producer Awards 2026 open for applications

15 Sep 2025

2

Stuart Buckley appointed head of sales and account management at Netcentrix Stuart Buckley

Stuart Buckley appointed head of sales and account management at Netcentrix

15 Sep 2025

3

Preston City Council pushes for fair pay Coun Valerie Wise

Preston City Council pushes for fair pay

15 Sep 2025

4

University of Lancashire increases state-of-the-art dentistry teaching facilities New dental facilities at University of Lancashire

University of Lancashire increases state-of-the-art dentistry teaching facilities

15 Sep 2025

5

VARS Technology team up with debt resolution specialists to fight fuel theft David Nichol John Garnett Aydan Jones and Laura Tilley

VARS Technology team up with debt resolution specialists to fight fuel theft

12 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day
MTD drop in session.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day, Blackburn, BB1 5QB

10:00 - 16:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin