Blackburn historic building’s magnificent restoration

BLACKBURN’S renovated Blakey Moor Terrace building is looking ‘magnificent’ and ready for prospective operators to view its flagship restaurant.

Final touches are being added to the historic building at the heart of the town centre’s proposed new £3.8 million leisure and cultural quarter opposite King George’ Hall which is undergoing an £8m revamp.

Landscaping and planting is under way, United Utilities are finishing the drainage work and internal enhancements are being completed.

The six-year project – which has survived the Covid-19 pandemic, extensive damage from the 2022 Storms Gladys, Dudley, Eunice and Franklin, and total redesign – is now ready to be launched into the real world a year later than hoped.

Dating back to the 1800s, the building had lain largely empty for years and fallen into serious disrepair before the affected half was bought in 2018 by Blackburn with Darwen Council with the aim of fully restoring its entirety to create two new restaurant spaces.

The redesigned building now offers a single 3,172 square foot space for a restaurant and bar with a 1,400 sq ft outdoor area.

It is a key part of the National Lottery funded Blakey Moor Townscape Heritage project.

As pictures taken for the Local Democracy Reprting Service show the final result is impressive and council leader Cllr Phil Riley has hailed is progress.

He said: “Blakey Moor Terrace is looking magnificent.

“It been a really hard project with Covid, the building being in a much worse state than we expected and the storm damage.

“We have worked really, really hard to get it to this stage and that is a testament to the commitment and skill of all those involved.

“This building is now fit the be the jewel of Blackburn’s new leisure and cultural quarter.”

Cllr Saj Ali, growth spokesman for the authority’s main 4BwD opposition group said: “I am really pleased with this.

“It promotes out town centre and makes it different from other towns. They have done a really good job.”

Conservative regeneration spokesman Cllr Paul Marrow said: “Blakey Moor is looking really good.

“It’s been a long time coming but I know hope it will get an operator which will make the new restaurant a real success.

“This could be the key to reviving Blackburn town centre’s night time economy.”

The building has be brand new shop fronts and an impressive curved frontage where the former Subway unit was, an improved area to the front of the building with increased outdoor seating and new access to the rear linking through to the new Reel Cinema.

All of the original features and materials that could be salvaged have been used in the re-building.