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 11 August to Sunday 17 August
Looking for things to do in Blackburn & Darwen this week? Here’s your round-up of live music, family fun, theatre, workshops, and more — all happening from Monday to Sunday!

Local Sewing Shop Offers Surprise Gift With Every Zip Purchase
Blackburn’s long-standing sewing and crafting specialist Hobkirk is adding a little mystery and fun to your next project.

A night of story, song, and unmistakable vocals – live this October

Looking for things to do in Blackburn & Darwen this week? Here’s your round-up of live music, family fun, theatre, workshops, and more — all happening from Monday to Sunday!
Older Blackburn News
Did you miss out? Here are some of the older stories and news about Blackburn and Darwen

Poundland to Shut Blackburn Store on 31 August – Full List of 49 UK Closures Inside
Poundland has confirmed that its Blackburn branch at Cobden Court in The Mall will shut its doors for the final time on 31 August 2025, as part of a sweeping UK-wide restructuring plan affecting nearly 70 stores.

PureGym Blackburn Set to Relocate and Upgrade – New Site Opens This September
PureGym Blackburn is on the move – and the upgrade promises a brand-new fitness experience for members.

Named, Shamed, and Locked Up: Blackburn Men Jailed Over Homophobic Beating
A gang of men from Blackburn has been sentenced for a violent and homophobic assault that took place outside the town’s railway station—an attack described by a judge as “cowardly and shameful.”
Blackburn News Archive
All the archived stories from Blackburn Life – News about Blackburn and Darwen

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.

Boyzlife return to Blackburn in 2021 with their show that brings together Boyzone and Westlife with a full band production show featuring Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy.


Two local theatres are keeping us entertained, even while the doors are closed.

As part of our support for small local businesses, we’ve launched Local Lockdown Lowdown!

When Ryan Groom’s fiancé, Tara-Louise Spencer woke at around 1am this morning, she realised that the latest addition to their family was going to arrive about a week early and quite quickly.

Although shows are being rescheduled due to coronavirus, the team at Blackburn’s King George’s Hall and Darwen Library Theatre are busy finding new opportunities so that people can continue to enjoy everything from comedy to opera.

Morrisons Blackburn are recruiting. Anyone interested in a role will need to be over 18 and bring the following into the store, go to the Customer Service Desk and ask

Blackburn Market’s food traders received hundreds of orders in less than 24 hours, when a new online ordering system was launched in record time.


Our latest update about the latest cancelled and postponed events in Blackburn & Darwen.

Our latest update of all closures and changes for venues, locations and businesses.

Based on the book by Raymond Briggs and adapted for the stage by Pins and Needles Productions, The Bear, brings dazzling puppetry, delicious music, dreamy storytelling, and dozens of laughs to Darwen Library Theatre for two performances on Sunday 29th & Monday 30th March.

Inspired by the most creative decade in music, The Counterfeit Sixties bring the whole decade to life with a show featuring music from over thirty bands and performers including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Dave Clark Five, The Kinks and The Monkees.

Packed with big gags, hilarious stories and poignant reflections about an ordinary man who lived through extraordinary times; Arthur, accompanied by the mellifluous Kirsty Newton tells the story of his own father.

Manchester’s The Slow Readers Club have announced their fourth album, The Joy Of The Return, out on March 20th via Modern Sky UK. The band have also shared their new single, ‘All I Hear’, the first track to be taken from the album.

2020 sees Ribble Valley International Piano Week further broadening its reach as a treasured piano festival in rural North West England.

An unmissable chance to see a world class vocalist up close and personal performing classic hits from across the decades, when Kevin Simm performs at Darwen Library Theatre on Wednesday 22nd April.

The Hallé return to Blackburn this Friday as part of the 2019/2020 Classics Series to celebrate the 250th birthday of Beethoven.

ACT TWO will follow on from Waite and Simone’s first offering as a dancing duo, with more old-fashioned variety – dance, comedy and song! It arrives at Blackburn’s Empire Theatre for a matinee performance on Sunday 22nd March 2020 at 2:30pm.

The Arches is the first winner of a Blackburn Life Award, the new initiative support businesses in the borough. The popular Sandwich and Breakfast Bar topped the public votes in the Best Café or Coffee Shop category!

Starting out as the band behind Ian Dury, the Blockheads are a legendary outfit that has grown in stature from the early days of the Stiff tour in 1977, right up to the present day.

Blackburn Market hosts two new events this week. Flashback & Holme Street Markets.

A new events and themed pop-up markets area at the heart of Blackburn Market has been named Holme Street. The name comes from a long-lost road that used to connect Ainsworth Street to Railway Road in the town.

The Scouse maverick, Pete Wylie, who, along with Ian McCulloch and Julian Cope, pioneered the Eighties art-indie scene brings his show to Darwen Library Theatre on Friday 6th March 2020.

Tickets are selling fast for Lipstick on Your Collar as it heads to Blackburn on Saturday 14th March 2020.