Perspex International’s ambitious £40m expansion plans for Darwen site passed

Plans to expand a Perspex International site in Darwen – part of almost £40m of new investment supported by the Town Deal – have been passed.

The new Polymerisation Hall and Energy Centre at Perspex International’s Chapels Park site will mean the firm can streamline its processes and make their manufacturing greener – substantially reducing water and energy consumption.

Importantly, the investment in the extension, will also help safeguard jobs in the town with the opportunity to create new roles too.

Fittingly, the news comes as the firm celebrates 90 years in Darwen – proudly being the only production site for Perspex across the whole of the UK.

Bryan Welch, operations director said: "It’s fantastic to be starting the New Year with news that plans for our investment at Chapels Park have been passed.

"Perspex International has a long and rich history in Darwen – a proud one that we want to build upon and continue to develop.

"Fascinatingly, Perspex first came to the town during the Second World War as it was seen as a safe place for the plant which was manufacturing Spitfire canopies.

"Perspex acrylic has been a leading brand in plastic since the 1930s and Darwen is the only production site for Perspex across the whole of the UK.

"This major new investment demonstrates our commitment to the town, it will allow us to modernise and streamline the way we work and allow us to become much greener – reducing CO2 emissions and water consumption, something we are passionate about.

"This is just the start of a major investment programme for Perspex International over the next five years, securing the future of the business in Darwen.

"Perspex International submitted a planning application for the 1,150m2 extension to its site off Goose House Lane back in August 2024."

The full manufacturing side of the businesses has already moved to the Chapels Park site and, as part of the centralisation, Orchard Mill on the A666 could be sold for re-development.

The scheme is being supported by the £100m Darwen Town Deal.

Councillor Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and deputy chair of Darwen Town Deal, said: "As Bryan has said, Perspex International has strong historical ties to the town, being a major employer here for decades – almost a century.

The Town Deal Board was keen to support the planned new investment to help safeguard jobs and create new opportunities, including making production greener, and it’s fantastic to start 2025 with news that these plans have been passed.

"Manufacturing is part of the very fabric of Darwen and as part of the £100m Town Deal, we have been able to help bring forward a site for a new HQ for Brookhouse Aerospace and work is also underway on a pioneering manufacturing and research centre on a neighbouring site at Chapels too.

"Talks are continuing to progress with Sheffield University’s AMRC to be the anchor tenant there – housing its first-of-its-kind Additive Manufacturing Accelerator. Another huge coup for the town.

"The Town Deal has helped be a catalyst for these important schemes and the new investment with big plans for the town centre coming forward too.

Councillor Phil Riley added: "As a Council, we are incredibly proud of our reputation for partnership working and supporting our businesses in the borough – helping them to grow and succeed.

"We’re also incredibly proud to be home to Perspex International, with the only production site for Perspex in the whole country being right here in Darwen.

"So many people from the town and indeed across the borough have links to the company and it’s great to see this huge investment being made in its 90th year  – what better way to celebrate!"

It comes after Lancashire Business View reported in August the plans were submitted to the council.

It was mentioned that the investment will also help safeguard jobs in the town while helping to create new roles too.