As part of the Blackburn town centre strategy, a series of themed areas or ‘districts’ are being developed within Blackburn town centre. Built on the inherent and distinct uses of existing areas, this will help to encourage a unique sense of place within the town centre.

The first of these is the cathedral quarter, which extends from Church Street south to include the Darwen Street, Fleming Square and Mincing Lane. Dominated by Blackburn Cathedral Church of St Mary’s this beautiful and historic area is already home to several of Blackburn’s flagship regeneration projects and has one of the most established identities in the town centre.  

Over the last few years the area has undergone award winning rejuvenation through a series of environmental improvements, building renovations, traffic reduction and improved pedestrian access. This regeneration process is still on going and the changes will continue to improve the area, but already new businesses and shops are opening up and thriving. The cathedral quarter is fast becoming one of Blackburn’s hidden gems and offers tremendous opportunity for growth and development.

Award winning

The cathedral quarter has received national and regional awards for its regeneration achievements.

The British Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC) presented the Cathedral Quarter the BCSC Town Centre Environmental Improvements Award for Design 2003.

Some 30 towns and cities across the UK entered the competition – now in its 13th year – which aims to encourage and spotlight town and city centre regeneration.  Judges representing retailers, developers, town centre management and local authority sectors visited short listed finalists before announcing the winners.

Judges praised the “intelligent creation” of new civic space and said: “A thoughtful combination of natural and synthetic materials, planting and sculpture reflecting the town’s historic evolution has created a safe, pleasant and convenient thoroughfare that serves to unify the centre and encourage walking.”  

The North West Royal Town Planning Institute’s presented the cathedral quarter with the Best Heritage Project Award 2003 and the Planning Achievement Award 2003

The awards take place every year at the North West Royal Town Planning Institute’s (NW RTPI) annual conference and celebrate the planning profession's contribution to the quality of life throughout the North West.

The judging panel praised the “vision, vibrancy and private sector partnerships in the Blackburn project.”

The cathedral quarter was also selected as a finalist in the MJ Local Government Achievement Awards under the category Street Scene Achievement of the Year Award 2004.

Only six projects were short listed nationally and Blackburn recieved a commendation.

Other projects within the cathedral quarter

• Blackburn cathedral
• Church Street
• Waterloo Pavilions
• Exchange Arcade and Fleming Square
• Darwen Street
• Blackburn Townscape Heritage Initiative
• Blackburn Visitor Centre

Further information

Please contact the marketing development officer on (01254) 585630 or email: regeneration@blackburn.gov.uk