Breaking News in Blackburn
Stay informed with the most pressing and breaking stories from Blackburn. From major events to urgent updates, find it here.

Good Ofsted Judgement for Blackburn with Darwen’s Children’s Services
Children’s Services in Blackburn with Darwen have received a ‘Good’ rating across the board from Ofsted, marking a significant step forward since the previous inspection in 2022.

Former Electric Church to Be Transformed into Chaii Tea Café
A former live music venue in Blackburn town centre is set for a new lease of life – as a new Chaii tea café.

Blackburn will welcome a familiar West End face this July, as singer and actor Lee Mead brings his brand-new live show, The Best of Me, to the Blackburn Empire Theatre on Friday 4 July 2025.

There’s no doubt the news that Marks & Spencer will leave Blackburn town centre will be met with disappointment by many. For decades, M&S has been a cornerstone of high street shopping in Blackburn, a familiar name on a changing landscape. But when it comes to the future of the brand in our borough, the newly approved move to Whitebirk is, in truth, the best Blackburn could have hoped for.
Older Blackburn News
Did you miss out? Here are some of the older stories and news about Blackburn and Darwen

Make a Splash – Name Darwen’s Giant Inflatable and Win Big!
Something HUGE is making a splash at Darwen Leisure Centre – and you could be the first to try it out!

Comics, Capes & Chaos! Free Comic Book Day Returns to To the Batcave
To the Batcave, Blackburn’s independent comic book haven, is gearing up for one of the most exciting days in the geek calendar – Free Comic Book Day 2025!

Rovers’ Incredible History Brought to Life in New Exhibition at Blackburn Museum
A brand-new exhibition celebrating 150 years of Blackburn Rovers Football Club has opened at Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery—just yards from where the club was first formed in 1875.
Blackburn News Archive
All the archived stories from Blackburn Life – News about Blackburn and Darwen

Blackburn Life were lucky enough to be invited to the final dress rehearsal for this year’s pantomime at Blackburn Empire Theatre of Cinderella. The show, which opens to the public this Saturday (26th November) stars Linda Lusardi, Lucy Kane and JezO.

Christmas really has come early for Youth Zone Darwen thanks to a £100K funding boost from the John Lewis Foundation Trust.

The Shh Bar, which announced last month it was not to relocate, but close its doors has now thanked customers as it closed for the final time.

The Post Office are proposing to move the Blackburn Town Centre Post Office from its current base at 29-33 Ainsworth Street, Blackburn to the former Crawshaw’s shop at 4-6 Railway Road, Blackburn.

Blackburn’s Christmas Lights switch on has been announced for Saturday 26th November 2022 with Strictly contestant AJ Odudu switching on the lights this year.
The ‘Blackburn Glitter Ball’ will host a day of dance and music on King William Street – with hopes of scoring a 10 with the crowds!

Blackburn’s latest Hotel has opened as Hotel 99 in the former Wheatsheaf pub on Mincing Lane in the Town Centre, under the Best Western brand.

Caribbean restaurant and bar Turtle Bay Blackburn has launched its Christmas offering and its sunkissed tropical escapism all the way.

Work to finish a new Darwen-themed play area at Blacksnape Playing Fields is due to be completed in the coming days and is the renovated area is promised to “provide local young children and families’ hours of outdoor fun and games for years to come.”

Blackburn’s King George’s Hall will again host a Remembrance Concert after two years’ absence due to the pandemic.

The BBC have announced that their Christmas Services on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be broadcast from Blackburn Cathedral.

Mobile network services are being upgraded in Blackburn boosting speed, performance and coverage. There is a small chance these improvements may cause interference to TV received through an aerial such as Freeview, BT, TalkTalk and YouView.

The Mall Blackburn has an out of this world line-up of free activities this half-term, which will culminate in a visit from Britain’s Got Talent’s super-sized semi-finalist Titan the Robot!