Business | Blackburn Life

Blackburn’s After-Hours Identity Crisis: Where Do We Go From Here?

Mon 12 May, 2025

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.

Blackburn BID Seeking New Manager as Role Becomes Vacant

Wed 30 Apr, 2025

Blackburn’s Business Improvement District (BID) is recruiting for a new BID Manager, following a change in leadership.

Blackburn Times Up for Sale – Is Blackburn Set to Lose Another Town Centre Bar?

Mon 28 Apr, 2025

Another of Blackburn’s town centre bars could be set for change, with the Blackburn Times on Northgate now up for sale.

Opinion: M&S at Whitebirk – The Best Outcome Blackburn Could Hope For

Sun 20 Apr, 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.

Another Blackburn Bank Branch Set to Close—Find Out What’s Happening

Mon 27 Jan, 2025

Blackburn is bracing for yet another loss, with the announcement that NatWest’s branch in Copy Nook / Audley will close its doors for good on 12th May 2025.

Get Job Ready: Blackburn to Host Three-Day Recruitment Extravaganza in February 2025

Wed 22 Jan, 2025

Job seekers and career changers, take note: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Blackburn College are teaming up to host a free, three-day recruitment event designed to help you land your dream job.

Planning U-Turn: St Mary’s College Venue Proposal Withdrawn Amid Local Concerns

Wed 22 Jan, 2025

Plans to transform the former St Mary’s College building in Blackburn into an event venue have been scrapped following community concerns and Council intervention.

New Bonmarché Store to Open in Blackburn This December

Fri 08 Nov, 2024

Bonmarché, the UK’s largest retailer for women’s fashion, will open a new store in Blackburn on the 12th of December.

£10 Million Milestone for Blackburn BNI Group

Mon 18 Mar, 2024

A Blackburn-based BNI chapter is celebrating after its members generated over £2 million in the last year, bringing the total amount of work referred within the group to over £10 million since its launch.

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Heralds Careers Fair Success

Mon 18 Mar, 2024

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Mims Davies MP, was the guest of honour at Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone’s Careers Fair on Thursday 29th February 2024.

It’s Good News but only 30% turnout for Blackburn BID Third-Term Renewal

Sat 18 Nov, 2023

Why do so few businesses take part in the BID voting process.

Giveaways & Free Spooky Sundaes as Creams Cafe to Host Spooktacular Grand Opening in Blackburn

Fri 20 Oct, 2023

Creams Cafe, the UK’s leading dessert restaurant brand, is excited to announce the grand opening of its new store in Blackburn on Thursday, 26th October 2023!

The Butlers Arms to Open its Doors on 23rd October

Sun 15 Oct, 2023

In exciting news, The Butlers Arms will be opening its doors on Monday, October 23rd!

Blackburn Town Centre Shoppers’ Car Park covered in “litter for months”

Sun 15 Oct, 2023

A local shopkeeper has contacted Blackburn Life about the “shocking state” of areas of Blackburn Town Centre, including a shoppers’ pay and display car park, dead plant displays and filthy entrances into the town.

Blackburn Wilko Store Closure date announced

Sat 23 Sep, 2023

Blackburn Wilko store is set to close its doors for the last time on Thursday, October 5, 2023.

Transdev guarantees job interview for Wilko staff facing redundancy

Thu 14 Sep, 2023

Come and talk to us about a fresh start – that’s the offer from North West bus operator Transdev to workers facing redundancy following the collapse of high street retailer Wilko.

Hobkirks Sewing Machines Competition

Tue 29 Aug, 2023

To celebrate 120 years of HOBKIRK SEWING MACHINES they are giving you the chance to WIN some amazing prizes over the coming months!!

The future looks bright for The Blackburn Empire thanks to Darwen’s Crown Paints

Fri 21 Jul, 2023

Crown Paints in Darwen has made a colourful donation to local charity, Blackburn Empire Theatre.

Alcedo Care Group announces record results and plans for growth

Wed 19 Jul, 2023

It’s been another successful year for top-rated home care provider Alcedo Care Group, with its Blackburn & Darwen office on Anchor Court in Darwen.

It’s Love Your Local Market Fortnight – A round up of some of our favourite Market Traders

Sun 21 May, 2023

A round up of some of our favourite local market traders in Blackburn

Luxury Floating Hotel to add some Show Time Glamour

Wed 01 Feb, 2023

A brand new venture opens for bookings at the end of February, with touches of luxury and glamour for the ultimate break.

Blackburn Business Boss makes last minute plea to Shop Local for Christmas

Fri 23 Dec, 2022

The manager of Blackburn BID, Catherine Price, has made a last minute plea to shop with Blackburn Town Centre businesses this Christmas.

Hobkirk – 12 Days Of Christmas Giveaway

Wed 14 Dec, 2022

GIVEAWAY ALERT Our 12 Days of Christmas giveaway has officially started.Enter now to be in with a chance of winning 1 of 12 amazing prizes All you have to do

Two town centre locations close as Shh Bar and Coffee Shop call it a day

Wed 23 Nov, 2022

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.

Blackburn’s Latest Hotel Opens in the Town Centre

Fri 04 Nov, 2022

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.

Waffles get the WOW factor in The Mall

Fri 29 Apr, 2022

The Mall Blackburn has welcomed a new food vendor specialising in delicious Belgian waffles (Waffwich) mini dutch pancakes and creamy shakes.

Blackburn and Darwen Hospitality & Leisure Businesses can claim up to £6,000

Wed 26 Jan, 2022

The Omicron Hospitality & Leisure Grant is intended to support eligible hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses, in recognition of the effect that the rise of the Omicron variant may have on their business operations.

Blackburn’s Landmark Exchange Building is ready for Lift Off!

Wed 17 Nov, 2021

Blackburn’s Exchange Building, which many will remember as a cinema, but has a rich history going as far back as the 1860s, is getting ready to launch a new future.

Stalls will be popping up every Saturday in the run up to Christmas

Wed 27 Oct, 2021

A range of pop-up stalls will be trading in Blackburn Market every Saturday as everyone looks forward to the festive season. The pop-up stalls will be based on the new

The Mall Blackburn offers FREE unit to one lucky business

Mon 09 Aug, 2021

The Mall Blackburn is on the hunt for an exciting business to take a free retail unit for six months.

German Doner Kebab Opens Its Doors In Blackburn

Wed 14 Apr, 2021

German Doner Kebab has opened its doors in Blackburn, bringing a new fast-casual dining experience to the town.

Martial Arts Club Expands with Sport England Grant

Tue 13 Apr, 2021

Masters of Martial Arts Academy in Blackburn town centre have been awarded a Sports England ‘Return To Play’ grant.

Local Man Celebrates 30 Years with Tensar!

Thu 25 Feb, 2021

Tensar is a world-leading manufacturer and provider of ground stabilisation and soil reinforcement solutions, with international offices across the globe – including their head office in Blackburn.

Market partnership brings praise from Marcus Rashford

Tue 19 Jan, 2021

Two markets in Lancashire have joined forces to support struggling families with children eligible for free school meals. Blackburn Market and Darwen Market have been at the forefront of the initiative which has seen hundreds of vouchers issued to local families to buy high quality fresh foods direct from the markets.

Cinnabon opening date confirmed for Blackburn as local firm expands into new food store brand

Mon 30 Nov, 2020

Euro Garages is now recruiting for its latest venture, the famous US brand Cinnabon.

Supporting Small Independent Businesses – Let’s do it together now!

Thu 26 Nov, 2020

As Blackburn with Darwen are confirmed as heading into Tier 3 from 2nd December 2020, now, more than ever we need to support small independent businesses in our local towns.