Four miles south of Blackburn lies the town of Darwen, a busy historic market town with excellent transport links to the whole of Lancashire and Greater Manchester. 

Now, thanks to a £100m Town Deal investment, Darwen is set for an exciting commercial and cultural renaissance. Plans include an impressive regeneration of the town centre – with the repurposing of the Market Hall – and an extension of the town’s Library Theatre, set within the beautiful Carnegie Library. There’s also plans for new town centre living opportunities, and improved town centre gateways. 

Significant investment is further planned to boost employment and enhance key sectors such as manufacturing. This includes investment in a new Perspex national manufacturing centre with industry-leading R&D facilities. In addition, a new Additive Manufacturing Accelerator – in partnership with the AMRC North West – will be based in the town, which be the first of its kind anywhere in the UK. 

Further, a new Sports Village boasting Olympic-quality facilities is rapidly being developed, while Darwen’s swathes of surrounding countryside and moorlands will be enhanced with new walking trails. The recently restored local landmark, the celebrated Jubilee Tower, will also act as a beacon for walkers, and other outdoor activities. 

Find out the latest: darwentowndeal.co.uk