BLACKBURN needs to learn from the revival of Darwen’s nightlife but not copy it, a leading councillor has said.

Borough regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley has said a family-friendly leisure and restaurant-based economy was the way forward for the town in the evening and after dark.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Cllr Riley was speaking after a presentation to the borough’s neighbourhoods scrutiny sub-committee.

He admitted Blackburn had suffered a lack of investment in its night-time economy for two decades.

Independent councillor Salim Mulla said more was needed to attract the Asian population into the town centre and suggested a street of curry houses as a magnet for spice-loving diners.

Cllr Riley said: “Twenty years ago Blackburn had a very pub-based nightlife attracting a heavy-drinking clientele which has now become unfashionable.

“Darwen has developed a successful pub and Indian restaurant night-time economy.

“In Blackburn we want a family-friendly leisure-based nightlife based on restaurants and premises like the new Drummers Arms and The Napier rock pub which offer something different.

“There are lessons we can learn from Darwen but we do not want to replicate its nightlife.

“We want the two towns to be complementary, not in competition.”

Cllr Mulla said: “More should be done to encourage the Muslim community to visit the town as most don’t drink.

“We want a miniature ‘Curry Mile’, a street of Indian restaurants which would attract people who love spicy food.”

Cllr Phil Riley rejected the idea that there had ever been “a night-time golden age” for Blackburn town centre during the 1970s and 1980s.

He admitted action was needed to boost Darwen as a shopping centre during the day to match the revival of Blackburn’s retail offer.