Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

17/09/2026

We always love Shafiq’s pics of our borough, but this one is pretty special! ✨

The King is Back! 👑

King Georges Hall, after the recent renovation

16/09/2026

🏠 Want to make your home warmer and save money on your energy bills?

The Warm Natters podcast, produced by helps Lancashire residents make the most of the energy-saving support available to them

Hosted by Paul Younger, the podcast brings together Energy Saving Officers Andrea Howe and Richard Honey, along with regional energy experts, to chat about:

- Simple ways to keep your home warm
- How to save money on your energy bills
- Improving energy efficiency at home
- Government grants and support that could be available to you

Listen to Warm Natters on Spotify or watch the episodes on YouTube – links in the comments below.

16/09/2026

👑 THE KING IS OFFICIALLY BACK! 👑

King Georges Hall has officially thrown open its doors – and what a way to welcome audiences back!

On Monday night, more than 450 people packed the iconic venue for a special sell-out performance by Blackburn People's Choir , with an overflow area even needed as demand grew for what had originally been planned as a 'low-key' test event!

🎶 More than 150 singers took to the stage, joined by South Lakes Acapella, Ordsall Acapella Singers, Gathered Voices and the award-winning Red Rosettes Show Chorus.

And, fittingly, the whole audience joined in for a special performance of Coldplay’s Fix You ❤️

The evening was also a chance to experience the incredible transformation of King George’s Hall for the very first time, including:

✨ A stunning new entrance area

🍸 Extended bars

💺 Improved seating, better lights & sound

🚻 Upgraded washroom facilities

🏛️ A new roof and windows

🌡️ Improved heating and air conditioning

✨ A fresh lick of paint & brand-new carpets

The £13.5m transformation has been carefully designed to celebrate the heritage of this Grade II listed icon, while ensuring it’s fit for generations to come.

And the best bit? This is just the beginning!

There’s a packed programme of shows coming up in the coming weeks, including The K’s, Tim Peake, Jason Donovan, The Proclaimers, David Essex, Jimmy Nail, a special civic grad reopening eih the Hallé Orchestra and much more – plus a brand-new Christmas panto! 🎭

🎟️ Find out what’s coming up and book your tickets – check out the link in the comments below

A huge thank you to Blackburn People’s Choir for helping make the first official show such a special night – and for raising vital funds and donations for Blackburn Foodbank ❤️

The King is well and truly back! 👑

15/09/2026

Ewood Matchday Parking Study – Update ⚽🅿️

We know matchday parking is a real problem for people living near Ewood Park. Cars parked badly, blocking driveways or pavements, making the street feel unsafe. We want to do what we can to help get this right.

We listened to the concerns raised by residents and local councillors, so we brought in an independent consultant to look at the current parking restrictions and how much parking is actually available on matchdays. They've talked to Blackburn Rovers, the police and the Ewood Parking Steering Group, and they came down to watch how it plays out during the Rovers v Hull City game in January.

We've now got their draft report and are going through it properly. We're meeting Blackburn Rovers in early October to talk about what it says and what we can do about it.

There probably isn't going to be one simple fix. This will mean the Council, the club and other partners working together on it.

Thanks to everyone who's told us about their experiences. It's made a real difference to the study, and will continue to be important as we work out next steps.

Once we've finished reviewing everything and talked it through with the club and other partners, we'll update you again. We know people are waiting to see progress, and we’ll update again as soon as we have more to share.

While this work is ongoing, parking enforcement officers will continue to patrol the area and issue fines where vehicles are parked illegally, particularly on matchdays.

15/09/2026

We were delighted to welcome the High Sheriff of Lancashire, David Collinge DL, to Blackburn for a visit showcasing the people, places and projects helping to shape our borough.

During the visit, the High Sheriff met with the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Cllr Mahfooz Hussain, and learned more about the wide range of work taking place across the borough, from innovation and regeneration to youth services, employment support and the preservation of local heritage.

The visit included stops at:
🎨The Making Rooms, to see how creativity, technology and sustainable innovation are helping people develop new skills and ideas.

🏛️Blackburn Museum, where he met Richard Croasdale, the museum’s longest-serving volunteer, and learned more about Blackburn’s rich industrial heritage.

⚖️The Youth Justice Service, to hear about the support available for young people and the partnership work helping them access opportunities and achieve positive outcomes.

🚸Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, where discussions focused on employability services and helping young people prepare for the world of work.

Reflecting on the visit, David Collinge DL praised the “passion, pride and commitment” of the people he met and the extraordinary work being carried out to improve lives and strengthen communities across Blackburn with Darwen.”

Cllr Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "It was a pleasure to welcome the High Sheriff of Lancashire to Blackburn and showcase some of the important work taking place across the borough. Visits like these provide a valuable opportunity to share what makes our borough special and to highlight the partnerships behind the work taking place every day.”

For more information visit The Shuttle - link in the comments

15/09/2026

Blackburn’s Inspiring is back for 2026!

Not sure what to do after school? Thinking about college, an apprenticeship, university or getting into work?

Come along to Blackburn’s Inspiring and meet over 70 local employers, colleges, training providers, universities and support organisations, all ready to help you explore your options and plan your next step.

The event is open to 16-19 year olds who aren't currently in education, employment or training (up to 25 for young people with an EHCP or who are care experienced).
📍 Blackburn Sports & Leisure Centre
📅 Thursday 17 September
⏰ 9am to 3pm

Your future doesn't have to be figured out yet. Start by seeing what's out there.

New Directions Careers Service Blackburn

14/09/2026

🚌 If you use the bus, there’s just one more day left to have your say!

Around 200 people have already shared their views on proposed changes to local bus services in Blackburn with Darwen, and we’d love to hear from more of you before the consultation closes.

The proposals include:
🚌 New bus routes
⏱️ More frequent services
🌅 Earlier starts and later finishes
🔗 Improved connections between routes

Which changes would make the biggest difference to you? Whether you use local buses regularly, occasionally, or would like to use them more, your views are important.

📅 Check out the proposals on the LCCA website and send us your feedback on e-mail by tomorrow 15 September 2026.

13/09/2026

Have you joined the Big Conversation on Care yet?

Adult social care will impact us all at some point in our lives whether it’s arranging or providing support for a relative or friend or needing those services ourselves. This support could take many forms including help with personal care and household tasks, enabling you to live independently in your own home into later life, or respite for those who care for a friend or relative.

That's why everyone is being asked how the system should work in future and offered the chance to help decide, and we don’t want local people to miss that chance.

Over 7000 proposals have now been put forward – don’t miss this opportunity to put your thoughts forward and vote on what others are saying.

📣Join the conversation now – link in comments 👇

12/09/2026

Very few businesses can say they have served their community for more than a century, but Ainsworth Jewellers have done exactly that.

For 155 years, Ainsworth Jewellers has been part of the town’s story, helping generations mark special moments in life.

Founded in 1870, the family business has grown across five generations of the Ainsworth family and remains the longest-established business in Blackburn.

Today, under the leadership of Phil Ainsworth and Helen Dimmick, the Darwen Street emporium continues to evolve - recently launching a ch*****ne bar in partnership with Joseph Perrier, unveiling a dedicated Wedding Ring World, and introducing new jewellery collections.

And the story doesn’t stop there. Plans are underway to bring jewellery-making back to its roots with a new workshop focused on bespoke designs and craftsmanship.

Here’s to 155 years of making Blackburn sparkle and many more to come.

✨ Do you have a special memory or purchase from Ainsworth’s? Share it in the comments.

Read more about Ainsworth Jewellers on The Shuttle – link in the comments

11/09/2026

🍎🍯 At sunset today, Rosh Hashanah begins, marking the start of the Jewish New Year.

We would like to wish Shanah Tovah U'Metukah (a sweet New Year) to everyone celebrating this important occasion in the Jewish calendar.

Over the coming days, families and communities will come together for prayer, reflection, festive meals, and tradition as they welcome the year ahead with hope and joy.

Wishing all those celebrating a happy, healthy, peaceful, and sweet New Year. ✨