Natalie uses eBay to start a quiet ‘Revolution’ on Darwen Market

Despite the tough economic times, business is booming at Darwen Market with four new traders recently taking up pitches.

One of those, Natalie Cooper, recently opened her stall, Revolution Clothing, after finding it in the most unlikely of places.

Says Natalie: “I was looking through eBay and saw it was up for sale. I’ve always had businesses but took some time out recently to have a baby. I was looking to get back into it though and seeing what was available.”

Natalie placed a bid and was delighted when she found out she’d won the auction.

Natalie adds: “It’s a fairly unusual way of buying a business but I came to have a look round the market and saw how busy it was. It’s not too far from where I live and is in a perfect location.

“After I bought the stall we ripped everything out and totally re-stocked it. It was a menswear stall before but we got an addition to the licence so we could do ladies wear as well.”



Revolution Clothing now sells everything from designer wear and casual clothes to going out gear and underwear.

Adds Natalie: “You meet a good variety of people from all walks of life at Darwen Market and everyone’s very friendly. I’m really happy here.”

Darwen market boasts over 90 stalls under cover, offering an amazing variety of produce and specialist items. Parking is also free.

Visitors can expect to receive a warm and friendly welcome and an attentive and uniquely personal service from the stall holders, many of whom have long standing associations at the market; sometimes stretching back through generations.

Have your say on future development

How much new housing should be built in Blackburn with Darwen and where should new homes be developed?

Where should new jobs, industry and shops be located? How much development should we allow in the countryside?

These are all questions which need answering as part of the consultation on Blackburn with Darwen Council’s core strategy.

The core strategy is a planning document which sets out future planning policies for the borough and highlights where/how much development will take place.

The consultation is running until Monday, December 21 and then all comments will be forwarded to the Secretary of State.

A display is being held at Blackburn and Darwen Markets where residents can view the plans.

Copies can also be found at Blackburn Town Hall, Blackburn Library, Darwen Town Hall, Darwen Library, Mill Hill Library, Livesey Library, Roman Road Library and Barlow Institute.

Councillor Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration and environment, said: “It is important that residents have their say on how they want the future shape of the borough and this includes everything from housing to shops to business parks to green spaces.”

Alternatively, you can also view the document on our website www.blackburn.gov.uk

Christmas opening times for Blackburn and Darwen Markets

The markets in Blackburn and Darwen are operating the following opening times over Christmas and New Year:

Darwen Market:

Sunday, December 6, Market Hall and Annexe, closed, 3-Day, closed
Sunday, December 13, Market Hall and Annexe, closed, 3-Day, closed
Sunday, December 20, Market Hall and Annexe, open 10-4pm, 3-Day, open 10-4pm
Monday, December 21, Market Hall and Annexe, open as normal, 3-Day, open as normal
Tuesday, December 22, Market Hall and Annexe, 9-5pm, 3-Day, open 9-5pm
Wednesday, December 23, Market Hall and Annexe, open as normal, 3-Day, open 9-5pm
Thursday, December 24, open as normal, 3-Day, open 9-5pm
Friday December 25, Saturday 26, Sunday 27 and Monday 28, closed
Tuesday, December 29, Market Hall and Annexe, open 9-5pm, 3-Day, closed
Wednesday, December 30, Market Hall and Annexe, open as normal, 3-Day, closed
Thursday, December 31, Market Hall and Annexe, open 9-4pm, 3-Day, open 9-4pm
Friday, January 1, closed
Saturday, January 2, open as normal
Sunday, January 3, closed

Blackburn Market:

Sunday, December 6, closed
Sunday, December 13, closed
Sunday, December 20, Market Hall and Avenue, open 10-4pm, 3-Day, closed
Monday, December 21, Market Hall and Avenue, open as normal, 3-Day, open 9-5pm
Tuesday, December 22, Market Hall and Avenue, open as normal, 3-Day, open 9-5pm
Wednesday, December 23, Market Hall and Avenue, open as normal, 3-Day, open as normal
Thursday, December 24, Market Hall and Avenue, open 9-4pm, 3-Day, open 9-4pm
Friday December 25, Saturday 26, Sunday 27 and Monday 28, closed
Tuesday December 29, Market Hall and Avenue, open as normal, 3-Day, closed
Wednesday, December 30, Market Hall and Avenue, open as normal, 3-Day, open as normal
Thursday, December 31, Market Hall and Avenue, open 9-4pm, 3-Day, open 9-4pm
Friday, January 1, closed
Saturday, January 2, Market Hall and Avenue, open as normal, 3-Day, open as normal
Sunday, January 3, closed

Blackburn plugs in and prepares to rock out

A music event designed to crank up the volume in Blackburn is set to hit the town this Friday.

‘Plugged II: One Big Night Out’ will take over eleven town centre venues on Friday, November 27, offering a wide selection of bands and DJs for people to enjoy.

Plugged has been created to get Blackburn back on the map by promoting its live music scene and thriving nightlife.

The debut Plugged event, held on Friday, July 31, saw town centre venues from 41 King Street and Sir Charles Napier to Rhubarb, Blackburn Library and Liquid and Envy packed with music fans enjoying an impressive line-up of bands from varying genres and styles.

Feedback from bands, fans and venues was positive, with venues reporting an increase in trade compared to a standard Friday night in the town.

‘Plugged II: One Big Night Out’ will see performances from the likes of Thunderbird 13, You Animals, Bang! Bang! Eche!, Valleum and Fifth House at venues including Sir Charles Napier, The Live Lounge, 41 King Street and O’Neills.



There will also be DJs at venues from FJ Nicholls to the Stage Door, a fancy dress party at Liquid and Envy as well as a performance by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra at King George’s Hall.

The event is the brain-child of a group of pro-active venues in Blackburn town centre, supported by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council's town centre regeneration team and the North West Development Agency.

Plugged is working in partnership with Blackburn BarU and Make Lancashire Safer Campaign.

Visit www.pluggedblackburn.com for more information about bands, venues and special offers.

For further information, contact communications officer Chris Hidden on (01254) 585751 or email christopher.hidden@blackburn.gov.uk

Venues/Bands
Sir Charles Napier, Limbrick (Free entry): Thunderbird 13 (11pm), Violet Vortex (10pm), Splyce (9pm), Atari Hill (8pm), Prophets Rose (7pm)
The Live Lounge, Northgate: (Free entry / bands on from 9.30pm): You Animals (11pm), The Scene, Bang! Bang! Eche! DJ set from Ben Kirton (Down in Paris)
41 King Street (£3 entry) Fifth House (ex The Burn) plus support (9.30pm)
O’neills, King William Street (free entry / bands on from 9pm): Valleum (aka Seagull Kinevil), Urban Valley Chickens

Other events
King George’s Hall: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
(Tickets £12.75, family ticket £37.00 / 7.30pm) call the Box Office: 0844 847 1664
FJ Nichols (£1 entry / from 9pm-1.30am) classic anthems + DJ Lewis B and special guest MC
Liquid and Envy (£6.20 full admission or £1 for those in fancy dress /
11pm until 3am) 118 118 Fancy Dress Party (liquid – clubland, dance and trance anthem // Envy – R’n’B)
Pitchers Bar (Free entry / from 9pm) Old Skool Dance Night
Bowlplex (Bar open 7pm until midnight) Ultra-Violet bowling, disco & DJ bar and grill (under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult.)
Barzooka (5pm-1am)
Jazzy Kexx (12-4am) live DJs
The Stage Door (8pm until 3am) Resident Drag Queen DJ

Top award for neighbourhood teams

Blackburn with Darwen celebrated success after receiving a prestigious award for groups who improve their local neighbourhoods.

The borough recently celebrated achieving The Neighbourhood Management Working Towards Excellence award at a ceremony held at Blackburn Town Hall.

The scheme has been developed to inspire and encourage neighbourhood management organisations throughout the North West to achieve the national standard of Investors in Excellence.

The results of the assessment helps to drive improvement, as well as recognising achievements.

Tanya Gallagher, the Council’s neighbourhood manager, said: “The reason we wanted to put in for the award was to ensure quality improvement, identify and celebrate success and understand areas for development.


“By being scrutinised from an external group, we are then best placed to understand how we are measuring against set criteria and other peer authorities.”

David Mallaby, strategic director of neighbourhoods, housing & customer services, said he was delighted the borough had received the award and thanked residents for playing their part.

Cllr John Slater, executive member for neighbourhoods and customer services, said: "This award is testament to how  partnership working is helping to improve the lives of people living in the borough.
"The award also highlights the Council's commitment to providing a local quality service that aims to make a difference to communities."

Susan Hall, senior strategic manager, neighbourhoods added: "Local residents play a central role in any working neighbourhood arrangement. The commitment and enthusiasm of residents in Blackburn with Darwen has been particularly noted.”

The award is delivered by Neighbourhoods Northwest & North of England Excellence.

Free homes survey on offer

Residents of privately owned properties in Blackburn with Darwen can benefit from a free home maintenance survey.

The survey gives owners a report on the condition of their property, any defects and what work needs carried out.

Householders can then choose whether to carry out the work themselves or hand it to a tradesmen/contractor.

The Council is offering the free advice service and can also visit community groups or residents meetings to see if any of their members would like to take up the free offer too.

One to one advice is also available.

The survey includes basic advice on how to maintain everything from central heating systems to windows and doors. 

Owners will also be given help, if required, on how to find and appoint a reliable local tradesperson or building contractor.

For further information about the surveys, contact Home Maintenance Officer on (01254) 588886.

Restoration of Darwen’s Historic Buildings

Holker House
The restoration of one of the landmark buildings in Darwen’s conservation area is due to start.

A grant has been awarded for the repair and improvement of the exterior of Holker House, Railway Road, formerly the Adult Education Centre, which directly faces the Market Square.

It was built in 1870 as a private residence and surgery for Dr. Holker and provides an important contribution to the heritage of Railway Road and the town centre.

The scheme will include roof repairs, replacement of the windows and doors to the original design, external re-decoration and restoration of the external grounds.

Mr Stephen Milligan the current owner said “It has taken a great deal of work to enable the restoration of this once fine building to get underway. As much work as possible is being undertaken by local firms and local craftsmen and new jobs will be created once the project is complete.”

15 & 17 Bridge Street
Works have commenced on a re-roofing scheme to 15-17 Bridge Street, replacing the existing roof tiles with traditional slate. The building is occupied by Buxton’s Bakery, a local family business operating since 1981. Mr Buxton said “The Darwen THI scheme is bringing new life to the town’s heritage and has provided the opportunity for much needed roof repairs to the building which will also complement the historic street.“

The Darwen Town Centre Townscape Heritage Initiative comprises of a £2m Common Fund providing by Heritage Lottery Fund and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. Grants are provided towards property and environmental improvements within a designated area of the town centre. 

Councillor Alan Cottam, Executive Member for Regeneration and Environment, said: “It is great to see Darwen’s historic buildings which have fallen into a state of disrepair, being brought back to life. They play an important part in the unique nature of Darwen.”

Jobless in Rossendale and Darwen up 85% IN A YEAR.

Jake Berry, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for the Conservative Party in Rossendale and Darwen, today revealed figures showing unemployment in this area of East Lancashire has increased by 85% in the last year.

Jake commented, “We all know someone who is either being made redundant or is under threat. I have been involved in consultation processes twice in the last year. The increase in the number of unemployed is scary for all of us trying to manage our family budget. This has got to change. It’s time to ‘Get Britain Working’ again.”

Figures also showed that the jobless total had grown by 72% since 1997. Jake commented, “12 years of Gordon Brown’s Labour party has not cured our job crisis, it has made it worse. It’s time for real apprenticeships for young people and tax breaks for companies that create jobs. It’s time to “Get Britain Working” again.