Blackburn to shuffle the deck at Darwen Chapels
The council’s executive board will be asked to rubber-stamp the disposal of the R&D-led development’s flagship building and reinvestment in a second building at the park, a joint venture with Barnfield.
Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive board will discuss the issue at its meeting on 10 September.
As set out in the officer report, the 53,000 sq ft R&D-led development off Goose House Lane – initially known as Revolution Park – is being promoted by Barnfield Blackburn, a joint venture between the local authority and Lancashire property group Barnfield, with the development backed by Darwen Town Deal cash to cover “abnormal” site costs.
Blackburn with Darwen Council (BwD) is in the process of acquiring the 11,657 sq ft Unit 1, also known as Block A, with completion of the £1.75m deal scheduled for this month.
This deal has long been in the works, having been agreed in April 2025 – Barnfield began construction the following month, with completion of the Unit 1 building expected at the end of tis year.
The park comprises this unit and ten other properties of between 2,577 sq ft and 5,388 sq ft.
When construction was triggered, a deal was being lined up with the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing & Research Centre for an additives research facility. However, challenges in the higher education centre have led the university to pull the project.
Town Deal funding due to the incoming occupier has been reallocated to regeneration in Darwen town centre.
Now, another party is waiting in the wings. Wholesaler LJ&R Footwear, which is described as having a large portfolio across Lancashire, is keen to buy Unit 1, with the intention of subletting to one of its tenants that is looking to grow.
Should members give the go-ahead and the deal proceed at £1.85m – the small uplift covering investment in marketing the asset – BwD will then use some of the proceeds to acquire Unit 2, a 5,200 sq ft block, at £750,000. This will then be let and managed by the council’s property team.
Although final terms are still to be agreed, the council will also provide £200,000 for LJ&R’s fit-out of Unit 1.
