Breaking News in Blackburn
Stay informed with the most pressing and breaking stories from Blackburn. From major events to urgent updates, find it here.
What’s On in Blackburn: Monday 21 July to Sunday 27 July 2025
Looking for things to do in Blackburn & Darwen next week? Here’s your round-up of live music, family events, comedy, variety, and more — all happening from Monday to Sunday!
90 and Still on the Loom – Meet the Man Keeping Blackburn’s Textile History Alive
There was an extra special birthday to celebrate at Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery this week – and it wasn’t just about candles and cake.
Trading Standards officers in Blackburn with Darwen have seized fake Labubu dolls over serious safety concerns — and parents are being urged to check their children’s toys immediately.
He’s bold, he’s hilarious, and he’s definitely not for the faint-hearted – Ken Webster, the UK’s most outrageous comedy hypnotist, is bringing his wild live show to Blackburn
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Older Blackburn News
Did you miss out? Here are some of the older stories and news about Blackburn and Darwen
New Courts Bring the Bounce Back to Corporation Park
Blackburn’s Corporation Park has served up a sporty upgrade this summer – with refurbished tennis courts now open for public use and brand-new pickleball courts on the way.
Sell-Out Splash! Darwen’s Giant Pool Inflatable Makes a Big Summer Debut
Darwen Leisure Centre’s brand-new inflatable pool attraction has already made waves – with first sessions on Saturday 19 July selling out fast.
Myerscough College to Close Witton Park Campus in Blackburn
Myerscough College has confirmed that it will close its Witton Park campus in Blackburn, following a consultation period with staff and stakeholders.
Blackburn News Archive
All the archived stories from Blackburn Life – News about Blackburn and Darwen
New restrictions on household gatherings in parts of the North West including Blackburn and Darwen.
More restrictions are due to be lifted nationally this weekend to allow more businesses to reopen, but this will not be the case in Blackburn and Darwen.
The ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme will see participating businesses offering a 50% discount to customers on dine-in meals which can be used unlimited times from 3rd to 31st August 2020.
Tickets go on sale at 10am tomorrow (Tuesday 27 July 2020) for Curtis Stigers at King George’s Hall.
For the food & service, it is definitely a 5 star rating from us.
The Government has tonight confirmed that people returning to the UK from Spain (including islands) from midnight tonight (25 July 2020) will need to self-isolate for 2 weeks.
Blackburn with Darwen Council have confirmed that the borough will be delaying the easing of lockdown, which will include indoor gyms and other indoor sporting centres that were due to
Blackburn with Darwen Council has announced it will look to open its leisure and community centres in August.
Nationally, the Government has said that gyms and swimming pools can re-open from July 25 if appropriate measures are in place.
However, the borough is currently in the top 10 list of local authorities that have higher rates of COVID-19 cases per 100,000.
And, in a bid to reduce the rates of infection to avoid a local lockdown, five new measures have been introduced for all residents.
They include reducing the numbers allowed to visit households to two, asking residents to wear a face covering in all enclosed public spaces and encouraging people to be tested.
Now, the council has announced that its leisure and community centres will instead look to open next month – on August 10.
Professor Dominic Harrison, Blackburn with Darwen’s Director for Public Health, said:
These decisions aren’t ever taken lightly. We know that these centres are popular with our residents and fundamental to their health and wellbeing.
We also don’t want residents to worry that this is part of a wider closure programme – it isn’t – we are doing everything in our power to avoid that.
Our staff had been working really hard to take the steps needed to make the facilities COVID safe and were really looking forward to being able to welcoming residents back safely.
However, as part of our dedicated approach to reducing the spread of Coronavirus in our borough, we are asking residents to play their part by adopting the five new measures we have introduced.
We’re also doing absolutely everything we can to stem the tide of infection rates.
Delaying the opening of these centres is another important step in our local outbreak response.
Full risk assessments and operational planning had been undertaken ready to reopen the centres on July 25, in-line with national guidance.
Now, staff are working hard on new offers – including live streaming of free classes for members and outdoor activities.
Professor Harrison said:
We have worked hard on a whole range of measures to be able to open our centres safely when the time is right.
This includes extensive and frequent cleaning, one way systems and pre-bookable slots.
However, with the number of cases of Coronavirus rising in Blackburn with Darwen at a rate above the national average, our number one priority remains the safety of our residents and our staff.
We are doing absolutely everything we can to prevent a second lockdown and have committed to reviewing the data again in two weeks’ time.
All membership fees continue to be fully suspended at the centres.
The five measures to be undertaken for the next month include:
A limit of two people from the same household allowed to visit another household
At the moment national guidance allows two families to meet indoors as long as they keep to social distancing guidance. We are asking residents to limit the numbers of people meeting indoors to people who live in the house plus only two members from a second household at any one time.
Wearing cloth face coverings in all enclosed public spaces
All residents will be strongly recommended to wear a cloth face covering (or non-surgical mask) in all enclosed public spaces. This means in all shops, workplaces, libraries, museums, health centres, hair and beauty salons etc.
Greeting and embracing
Rather than give handshakes or a hug, we’re asking people to only bump elbows with anyone outside of their immediate family. If we all do it, no one will be offended or think we’re being rude!
Support for small shops
We are stepping up our Public Protection advice and support to small shops across the borough to ensure that measures such as wearing face coverings, social distancing, good hygiene practice and increased ventilation are being followed to help reduce the risk of virus spread in these businesses.
Testing
We are doing more targeted testing this week, with the arrival of a mobile testing unit at Witton Park Academy in addition to the testing facility at Royal Blackburn Hospital. You don’t need to have symptoms to be tested – this will help us with case finding, identifying people who have no symptoms but who carry the virus.
Boris Johnson has announced that coronavirus restrictions will ease further in England under plans for a “significant return to normality” by Christmas.
Planet Ice in Blackburn, along with ice rinks across England, have had to put a pause on their anticipated reopening, as the Government say they were included in the guidance in error.
A temporary cut in VAT from 20% to 5% comes into force today allowing businesses in the food, drink and hospitality sectors to cut prices.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, recently announced the “Eat Out to Help Out” and local restaurants and cafes can register now.
Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery reopens tomorrow (Wednesday 15 July 2020) but you will need to plan ahead if you want to visit.
Lancashire Police has been stepping up patrols in hotspots to crackdown on those who are breaking road safety rules.
Blackburn with Darwen Council have today issued five measures, that will be in place for a month, aimed at avoiding a local lockdown and “getting a grip on the rise in cases of the virus”.
Following a moderate rise in cornonavirus cases, Blackburn with Darwen Council has warned that local people must remember the importance of sticking to the government’s rules – or risk facing a situation such as in Leicester.
The Government have announced a whole range of businesses and leisure facilities that can reopen in phases from next week.
Drive-in movies begin in Blackburn’s Witton Park starting on Friday 17th July. Here’s everything you need to know
A new chapter at Ainsworth Jewellers on Darwen Street in Blackburn in their 150th year.
Blackburn and Darwen Council have today published details of the reopening of some of their key services, including Town Halls and Libraries.
The latest reports from Springboard, the leading provider of data and intelligence on customer activity in stores and destinations, show that High Streets are still suffering the biggest reduction on footfall year on year.
Blackburn Empire Theatre is a charity and volunteer-led community theatre in the heart of Lancashire.
Blackburn Market is to add an extra half hour to their shopping day from this Wednesday.
The first public act of worship since March 2020, led by the Bishop of Blackburn and including the installation of two Canons, took place at Blackburn Cathedral this morning.
A Public Health England report published this afternoon named Blackburn with Darwen as one of the top areas currently for the 7 day rate of infections per 100,000.
Staff and retailers are hailing a successful week after watching the centre come back to life after lockdown.
The Mall in Blackburn have urged shoppers to visit their website before visiting the shopping centre.
The Mall Blackburn is looking forward to welcoming shoppers as more of its shops begin to open, starting from Monday June 15th.
The markets in Blackburn and Darwen will reopen to the public on Monday 15th June 2020 but there will be changes. Although the markets have been closed since the end
The successful “Lock Down Live” Sunday night virtual gigs are taking on a whole new style this weekend, with a live half hour of swing!
Bus firm adds more capacity to protect customers and colleagues as they travel
Pooch Perfect’ is BBC One’s new primetime TV series that celebrates our Nation’s love of dogs and will be hosted by multi awarding-winning actress and multi dog-owning star, Sheridan Smith OBE.
King George’s Hall has recently been overwhelmed by the memories shared on their social media channels of concerts people have enjoyed in Blackburn in years gone by.
As the Prime Minister announced a phased re-opening of non-essential retail, beginning with outdoor markets and car showrooms, from the 1st June, followed by others, including indoor markets and shopping centres from 15th June, this is far from going back to normal.
The majority of non-essential retail will be allowed to reopen from 15th June, with outdoor markets and car showrooms, that are COVID-Safe allowed to open from 1st June.