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

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 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
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

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

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

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