Don’t Give to Beggars – Give to Charity, Say New Campaign Leaders
New campaign urges Blackburn with Darwen residents to donate to local charities instead.

Could You Open Your Home — and Heart? Shared Lives Week Puts the Spotlight on Local Carers
This week, Blackburn with Darwen has joined a national celebration honouring the people who quietly change lives every day — the carers behind the Shared Lives programme.

Darwen’s Brand-New Youth Centre Is Taking Shape — And It’s Going to Be Huge
Steel frames are going up, excitement is building, and Darwen’s next big thing for young people is finally coming to life.
Blackburn with Darwen Puts Dads in the Spotlight at Landmark Family Event
Blackburn with Darwen Council has hosted a first-of-its-kind conference dedicated to celebrating dads — and pushing for stronger support for fathers across the borough.

Darwen’s Brand-New Youth Centre Is Taking Shape — And It’s Going to Be Huge
Steel frames are going up, excitement is building, and Darwen’s next big thing for young people is finally coming to life.
Blackburn with Darwen Puts Dads in the Spotlight at Landmark Family Event
Blackburn with Darwen Council has hosted a first-of-its-kind conference dedicated to celebrating dads — and pushing for stronger support for fathers across the borough.
Darwen Town Hall Reopens Next Week After Refurbishment
After a temporary relocation, Darwen Town Hall is set to reopen its front desk services next week.
Blackburn and Darwen to Raise the Flag for Armed Forces Day
Blackburn and Darwen will come together next week to honour the UK’s Armed Forces with special flag-raising ceremonies at both town halls.
How Do You Rate Blackburn’s Roads, Paths and Transport? The Council Wants to Know
Blackburn with Darwen residents are being urged to have their say in a new set of surveys that will help shape the future of local transport and highways.
Refugee Week in Blackburn with Darwen: Events Led by the Women Who Know What It Means to Start Over
Nancy Kinyanjui (Kairos Housing), Salma Mohamed (ARC), and Zainab Elbusefi (DARE) are behind a full week of inspiring, thought-provoking and family-friendly events taking place from Sunday 16 June to Saturday
Festival Fever! Blackburn’s National Festival of Making is Back – Here’s What Not to Miss for Families
One of Blackburn’s biggest weekends is just around the corner – and if you’re looking for a fun-packed family day out, the National Festival of Making is one you won’t want to miss.
Council Leader Welcomes Spending Review – But Stresses Blackburn Must Benefit
Blackburn with Darwen Council Leader Phil Riley has responded to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first Spending Review by welcoming new pledges on youth support, social care, infrastructure and housing — while warning that the borough must not be left behind.
Sold for a Pound: Poundland’s £1 Sale Sparks Uncertainty Over Store Closures – Could Blackburn Be Affected?
It sounds like something straight off a price tag – but it’s true. Budget retailer Poundland has been sold for just £1 in a shock move that could see up to 100 stores shut down across the UK.
Thousands of Illegal Cigarettes and Vapes Seized in Blackburn Trading Standards Operation
A major haul of illegal cigarettes and vapes has been uncovered at four Blackburn businesses following an enforcement operation by Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Trading Standards team, supported by police.
The Future of Corporation Park Conservatory — Have Your Say on Blackburn’s Neglected Gem
Once a symbol of Blackburn’s Victorian pride, the Corporation Park Conservatory now stands boarded up, rusting and forgotten. But that could all change — and your opinion could help shape its future.
Blackburn Pride 2025: A Day to Celebrate, Be Seen and Be Proud
Blackburn is getting ready to burst into colour as Pride 2025 returns to the town on Saturday 21st June — and this year promises to be louder, prouder, and more inclusive than ever.
Millions Poured Into Blackburn’s Roads – Is Your Street on the List?
Big plans are rolling out across Blackburn with Darwen – and it’s not just about filling potholes.
Blackburn’s new builds triple in popularity
Interest in new homes for sale in Blackburn has soared by 271%, reveals local housebuilder Countryside Homes.
Know a Local Hero? Nominate Them for the 2025 Community Volunteer Awards!
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond to help others? Now’s your chance to say thank you.
Janome Summer Sale Now On at Hobkirks!
Sewing fans — the Janome Summer Sale has officially landed!
Still Waiting for a Double-Double: Tim Hortons in Blackburn: What’s Happened to the Plans?
In August 2023, it was announced that Blackburn was set to welcome a new drive-thru restaurant from popular Canadian coffee and doughnut brand Tim Hortons. Hopes were high for a swift opening at the proposed site on Townsmoor Retail Park — the former home of Carphone Warehouse. The plans promised 50 new jobs, a new food and drink destination, and a much-needed boost for the retail park.
Are Blackburn Drivers Still Paying the Highest Fuel Prices in Lancashire?
New figures show that Blackburn motorists continue to face some of the highest petrol and diesel prices in the region, reigniting long-standing concerns that the town’s drivers are being unfairly penalised at the pump.
New Lennon Stage Show Brings Iconic Songs and Untold Stories to Blackburn
Music fans in Blackburn are in for something truly special this summer as a brand-new stage show about the legendary John Lennon arrives at the Blackburn Empire Theatre for one night only on Thursday 12 June 2025.
🧵 New Brother Machine Offers + Free Delivery on Fabrics & Haberdashery! 🧵
Hobkirks have launched brand new Brother sewing machine offers — now available online and in-store!
Blackburn’s After-Hours Identity Crisis: Where Do We Go From Here?
Blackburn’s nightlife has taken another hit with the closure of The Rock Box on King William Street. More than just a bar, The Rock Box had become a focal point for Blackburn’s live music scene and a rare haven for fans of rock and alternative culture. Now shuttered after months of financial difficulty, its closure raises bigger questions about Blackburn’s ability to sustain drinking venues and night-time culture in a rapidly changing town centre.
Five-Star Hit Irish Annie’s Heads to Blackburn After Rave Liverpool Premiere
After a roaring start in Liverpool, complete with standing ovations and five-star reviews, Irish Annie’s is heading to the Blackburn Empire Theatre for one night only — and audiences are in for a real treat.
Emotional Encounter at VE80 Fest: Family Discovers Tribute to WWII Relative
An unexpected and moving moment unfolded at Blackburn’s VE80 Fest in Witton Park, as a family visiting the event discovered a tribute to their own wartime relative on display at the Veterans Living History Museum CIC exhibition.
Unlock a smooth move in Blackburn this May
Considering your next home? Bovis Homes will provide tips for those looking to upsize, downsize or move up the property ladder at its special Home Movers weekend on 10th – 11th May.