Helping businesses among priorities for £20m of future investment in Darwen

Helping manufacturing businesses stay competitive and supporting local businesses are among the priorities for Darwen from almost £20m of new government funding in the next 10 years.

Plans for how the Pride in Place Programme funding could be spent have been set out in a new report to Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive board.

After consultation with residents, businesses, and community groups, the Darwen Town Board has now agreed a clear set of priorities which will set out to government how the funding will be spent.

The priorities include: improving the town centre and supporting local businesses, ensuring a safe and welcoming town centre, providing positive activities for young people, enhancing parks and green spaces, and showcasing Darwen through music, arts, and culture.

It also includes: supporting the town’s charities and community groups, helping local manufacturing businesses stay competitive and removing barriers to skills training and access to jobs.

A new Darwen Community Fund will also be piloted, with an announcement on that due in the coming weeks.

Darwen was one of 75 towns selected in the first round of funding under what was previously called the Long-Term Plan for Towns and Plan for Neighbourhoods initiative.

To make the best use of this opportunity, a new Darwen Town Board has been established, bringing together representatives from Darwen’s private, public, and community sectors.

Chaired by Tracey Alcock, managing director of Herbert Parkinson, part of the John Lewis Partnership and a major Darwen employer, the board will oversee both the £19.5m Pride in Place investment and the £25m Darwen Town Deal, which is worth more than £100m when combined with council and private investment.

Tracey said: "We’ve been working incredibly hard behind the scenes to make sure every single penny of this funding for Darwen counts.

"Over the past year there’s been some changes, but the good news is that the government has confirmed the funding and we’re now ready to submit our bid with a very clear list of priorities that reflect what our residents, businesses, and community organisations have told us.

"The plan builds on our shared vision for Darwen – focusing on our strongest asset, Darreners themselves."

Just over £7m of the funding will be available in the first four years, with almost £4m earmarked for regeneration, high streets, and heritage, including improvements to parks and open spaces.

Funding is also being allocated for a young people’s programme and the proposed new community fund.

With the government widening the remit to include employment and skills, more than £1m has been proposed to support Darwen’s businesses and workforce too.

Andy MacNae, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, said: "Pride in Place is about giving communities the power to decide how to best transform their hometowns and I am thrilled that we have now secured this government commitment of £20m for Darwen.

"We have so many exciting opportunities and I look forward to working with our residents, businesses, and community organisations to make sure we deliver a lasting legacy for Darwen."

Councillor Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and vice chair of the Darwen Town Board, added: "The fact that this funding has been confirmed by the new government is hugely positive news for Darwen.

"By creating the new Darwen Town Board to oversee both this and the Town Deal, we can maximise every opportunity and ensure the funding has a real and lasting impact.

"At the heart of our plan to government is the people of Darwen – our residents, businesses, and community groups – and what matters most to them."

As part of £5bn of government funding being invested nationally, a further £20m of Pride in Place funding has also been announced for Blackburn, along with £1.5m from the Pride in Place Impact Fund, which is set to support improvements in Blackburn town centre.

The council is currently working with government officials to ensure the defined boundary for the Blackburn programme to ensure it maximises local need and opportunity.

The Darwen Town Board’s four-year investment plan and 10-year vision will be submitted to government for consideration by the end of the month.