cultural quarter around the iconic King George’s Hall area.
The axis proposition will also look at work to entice major investment linked into advanced manufacturing at Samlesbury and logistics at junction six of the M65.
We know there
are investors keen to work with the right opportunities
Martin says: “We’re going to work to benefit from the halo effect of these major
investment locations and dovetail with our critical mass of activity.”
Martin, who arrived at Blackburn with Darwen from County Hall, where he held a similar role, says the borough has the desire and ability to deliver. And he points to its recent economic record.
He says: “In the last three years, up to the Covid-19 pandemic, the borough has attracted 5,000 new jobs and nearly 1,500 new homes have been built.
“Business start-ups have also been really strong. There is an entrepreneurial spirt within Blackburn with Darwen that you don’t see in many other towns.
“This provides a level of resilience in these challenging economic times and a strong platform for future growth.”
Miranda Barker Chief executive
@elancschamber
chamberelancs.co.uk
CHAMBER CALLS FOR ACTION!
This is the end of the beginning as they say. Government support packages have provided a degree of protection so far but now the potential impact of lockdown, social distancing and shaken world markets is looming - we need strong governmental support for businesses and we need it now.
Our Lancashire civil aerospace firms, one half of the 4th largest aerospace cluster in the world, need proactive action now. Action to help them retain their skilled workers until the sector’s growth returns. We need Government’s promised levelling up investment to be accelerated - High Speed 2 and the Northern Powerhouse Rail investment to come now - together, concurrent not consecutive. We need military and small modular reactor investments to be pushed up the funding agenda. We need skills support packages to ensure our aerospace and advanced manufacturing apprentices are still grown.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Blackburn’s new cinema is set to be the main attraction in plans to regenerate the town centre and boost its night-time economy.
It is another project that has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. However, its opening is now scheduled by the end of this year as the county slowly emerges from lockdown.
Independent cinema group Reel’s new eight-screen venue is being built on the former Waves leisure centre site. The company is behind a number of town centre cinema plans across Lancashire.
Near to King George’s Hall, the new cinema sits within the Northgate conservation area. Along with Blakely Moor this is a part of the town that is undergoing a major transformation.
The area around King George’s, Northgate and Blakey Moor is set to be transformed in what is an ambitious regeneration project.
Phil Riley, the council’s executive member for growth and development, recognises the importance of the cinema to that work. He says: “The regeneration of the Northgate area is really coming along, and this is right at the centre of it all.”
Plans have also been unveiled that will transform historic Blakey Moor Terrace. The aim is to create units for food and drink, retail, or arts uses as the centre of this new cultural and leisure quarter.
Work on that project, part of the wider ‘Townscape Heritage Project’, could begin in October. The local authority and the National Lottery Heritage Fund submitted designs for formal planning approval in May.
David Renwick, north of England Director at the fund, says: “This is a major step forward in the delivery of the Townscape Heritage Project. The sensitive restoration and reuse of Blakey Moor Terrace after decades of near dereliction will be a real achievement.”
LANCASHIREBUSINESSVIEW.CO.UK
And in hospitality - we need a clear route map to profitable reopening. In an industry where breakeven comes at 60 per cent occupancy, social distancing even at one metre plus threatens that. How can we reopen and survive?
Whilst the change from two metres to one is welcome, what else can be done to support the sector, to encourage the customers in but reassure all that we are safe to dine, entertain and network? How do we create social distance policing by all, so needed so customers and owners alike work together to see businesses recover, yet still hold back virus resurgence?
Give business the chance to plan and innovate, to see a future effective way of operating. And while we’re at it - let’s see parity of hospitality sector vat with Europe…..11 per
cent...seven per cent?
Decisiveness needed. And now. Find out more at...
info@chamberelancs.co.uk 01254 356400
chamberelancs.co.uk
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BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN
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