Star Academies set to anchor £45m Blackburn town centre scheme

Star Academies is set to anchor a £45m landmark regeneration scheme in Blackburn town centre – part of the largest development of its kind in the Lancashire region.

Plans have been revealed for the national multi-academy trust to occupy the first building of the proposed Star Square development, a key part of the town centre masterplan.

Phase One is set to deliver £45m of investment in the first building and public realm at Star Square, laying the foundations for three additional buildings that will complete the wider scheme.

Once complete, Star Academies’ new national headquarters will be located at 1 Star Square – forming a focal point for knowledge, research, innovation and economic renewal in the town centre.

Star Academies operates almost 40 primary and secondary schools nationally and is widely recognised for its high-performing schools and high-profile initiatives, including as a founding trust of the National Institute of Teaching, aimed at raising standards in teacher training and professional development across the country.

The announcement comes just weeks after it was confirmed that work is set to begin on transforming the neighbouring St John’s Church into a creative business hub, supporting investment in the borough’s growing digital and cyber economy.

And Maple Grove has secured a 12-month exclusivity agreement for the former Thwaites Brewery site opposite, after presenting a ‘significant and credible’ redevelopment proposal to the Council.

All three projects form part of the wider Blackburn Business Innovation District.

Councillor Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We are already incredibly proud that our borough is home to Star Academies, and the visionary work it delivers for children and young people, both here and across the country.

"This marks an important next step – supporting the trust’s growth ambitions while helping to drive our wider plans for the town centre, bringing more people into the heart of Blackburn to strengthen both the daytime and evening economy.

"This scheme is central to our £250m vision for the town centre and our wider £1bn ambition for Blackburn with Darwen and we have already secured £20m of Government funding to support delivery, alongside a further £2m from the Lancashire Combined County Authority.

"This scheme will create an important hub for innovation, research and learning with real community benefit, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Star Academies and welcoming them to their new, state-of-the-art headquarters."

Currently based at Shadsworth Road in Blackburn, Star Academies’ new purpose-built headquarters would serve as a national hub for educational leadership, training and professional development.

Proposals include a 200-seat lecture theatre, training rooms, flexible workspaces, meeting rooms and a recording studio.

Kam Kothia OBE DL, chair of Trustees of Star Academies, said: "Star Academies was born in Blackburn and, as we have grown into a national organisation, this town’s spirit, its people and its potential have driven everything we do, and now we are proud to invest that belief back into its future.

"The first building at Star Square represents a truly momentous milestone – part of an inspiring civic and economic hub in the heart of the town that will bring new opportunities, attract investment and help drive long‑term renewal.

"Establishing our new headquarters here is a powerful statement of our commitment to the community that shaped us. Star Square will stand as a lasting legacy for Blackburn, benefiting local people, businesses and the wider regional economy for many years to come."

Sir (Mufti) Hamid Patel CBE, chief executive of Star Academies, said: "The first phase of Star Square represents far more than a new headquarters – it marks the beginning of an inspiring new era for our organisation and for the communities we serve.

"This transformational development will play a central role in the wider Star Square vision: a vibrant hub for knowledge, research, innovation and economic renewal.

"Our new home at 1 Star Square will provide a modern, purpose‑built environment – a place designed to elevate our mission and expand the impact we have on young lives for decades to come.

"Alongside housing our central team, the building will serve as a flagship professional development and research centre, including the National Institute of Teaching’s North & West Campus and its headquarters."

Enabling works are already underway on the site, located in and around Brown Street Car Park next to The Mall.

The news was featured in the report to Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Executive Board which meets on March 12 and seeks approval to progress the legal agreements required to advance phase one. Progression of the proposals will also be subject to Department for Education approvals.

Subject to approval, an updated planning application would then be submitted followed by procuring a contractor for the main build.

Commencement of the main works is estimated for early 2027 with completion of the project in 2028.

The report also seeks permission to sell the first building to Star Academies for £10.3m, a figure independently confirmed by an external valuer.

The council and Star Academies will also now begin identifying strategic partners for the other three buildings, which together will form a major new hub for knowledge, research, innovation and creativity at the heart of the town centre.

Kam Kothia chairs the Blackburn-headquartered trust that operates 29 free schools and academies across the UK, said that a broad-based curriculum was important to set young people off on their skills journey.

Star Academies started from humble beginnings on a Blackburn terraced street to having the best performing school for attainment in the country.

The mixed Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) runs a diverse network of primary and secondary schools and it's committed to enhancing social mobility.

It is geared towards raising the aspirations of children and young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to improve their life chances and help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions.

It is one of the country’s leading education providers, and its schools promote excellence in everything they do. In every school, the entire staff team – working in partnership with parents and the local community – it is committed to nurturing today’s young people and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.

Discussions had previously progressed with the University of Lancashire in support of their expansion plans; however, the institution has now formally withdrawn from the project citing well documented prevailing financial pressures in the university sector.