Darwen reveals £90m regeneration plan

By Tim Aldred

04 Mar 2022

Blackburn with Darwen Council has revealed how it intends to invest the £90m earmarked for a major regeneration programme in Darwen.

The budget includes £25m secured from the government's Town deal fund, together with £65m committed by the council and private investors.

The proposals will see £13m invested in revamping the town centre, and £47m committed to creating and safeguarding jobs in the town.

The proposals include:

  • Refurbishing and repurposing the Market Hall and Library Theatre (£13.4m)
  • Completion of the Belgrave Heights town centre living site and new residential opportunities (£14.2m)
  • New employment growth sites to help pave the way for new jobs (£8.4m.)
  • A new Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Accelerator at Chapels in Darwen (£5.1m)
  • Support of Perspex's £30m relocation to new, purpose-built facilities (£3.5m)
  • A new East Lancs Sports Village including facilities at AFC Darwen, Junction4 Skatepark and Darwen Cricket Club (£4.6m)
  • Ultrafast broadband provision (£5.5m)
  • Additional money set aside for improving accessibility and the appearance of the gateways to Darwen.

Coun Phil Riley, executive member for growth and development at Blackburn with Darwen Council and deputy chair of the Darwen Town Deal Board, said: "This is more investment in Darwen than we’ve seen in our lifetimes. The Town Deal Funding, which the board worked so hard to secure, is acting as a catalyst for significant investment in the town, including £13.8m which we’ve committed as a council.

"There’s no doubt that the £90m is a life-changing sum of money and residents and businesses are going to see real change – to the town and in the opportunities for growth and jobs. It really does feel like the start of something special for Darwen and its future and we’re looking forward to working really hard as a board and council to make sure we make the most of the opportunities."

The Town Deal Board, chaired by Wayne Wild, successfully bid for the full £25m available through the government’s Towns Fund. The money set out strict criteria for how it could be with an emphasis on creating/securing jobs, viable and attractive town centres, new business growth opportunities and improved connectivity for residents and businesses.

All of the schemes have the required ‘match funding’ – additional investment from the council, businesses and private investors. Council officers are now supporting the board to develop strong business cases for each of the proposals to unlock the government funding with hopes that the first of the work can start towards the end of 2022.

The report to the Executive Board will be considered at the meeting on Thursday, March 10.

  • For further Lancashire business news, advice and analysis subscribe to Lancashire Business View or join the LBV Hub from just £2.50 per month. Click here to subscribe now.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Businesses should look at Net Zero as an 'opportunity, not a challenge' Lancashire Net Zero Conference 2025

Businesses should look at Net Zero as an 'opportunity, not a challenge'

20 Jun 2025

2

£4m investment across East Lancashire power network EV electric vehicle Electricity NW

£4m investment across East Lancashire power network

20 Jun 2025

3

Your time to shine in the Lancashire Tourism Awards Winners Of The Lancashire Tourism Awards 2024 Held On Tues 11 Feb 2025

Your time to shine in the Lancashire Tourism Awards

19 Jun 2025

4

Employer event to help keep region’s workers healthy Ben Harrison

Employer event to help keep region’s workers healthy

19 Jun 2025

5

Plan to get Lancashire working Lancashire Combined Authority

Plan to get Lancashire working

19 Jun 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
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

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

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

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Moonlight and Memories Walk 2025
MMW.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Fundraisers
21 Jun 2025 - 21 Jun 2025

Moonlight and Memories Walk 2025

St Catherine's Hospice, Preston, PR5 5XU

18:00 - 23:00

Emergency First Aid at Work – June 2025
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
23 Jun 2025 - 23 Jun 2025

Emergency First Aid at Work – June 2025

FGH Training 3rd Floor, Storey House, White Cross Business Park,, Lancaster, LA1 4XQ

09:00 - 16:00

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

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

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 LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin