Royal visit 'could boost Blackburn and Darwen'

9:52am Wednesday 13th April 2011 in Royal Wedding news

VISIT Kate Middleton VISIT Kate Middleton

Blackburn and Darwen could benefit from a tourism boost on the back of this week's royal visit.

Darwen town councillor Roy Davies said he hoped the immediate tourism impact would then be followed by longer term investment by visitors.

He said increased visitors could see empty shops in the town centre reopen and those tourists may want to buy properties in the town.

And council bosses have vowed to ensure Witton Park visitors will have a ‘really great experience’ as they anticipate an increase in numbers.

On Monday Prince William and Kate visited Darwen Aldridge Community Academy to officially unveil the school which opened in the new building off Redearth Road in September.

They then went to Witton Park to meet young people in the area after signing a register to protect the fields as part of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields scheme to mark her Diamond jubilee next year.

Coun Davies, who has a son at Darwen Academy, said: “The visit was fantastic to see such a small town on the map, I would like to know who arranged it. Whoever did it needs a pat on the back.

“There will have a lot of immediate impact, people will want to see where Prince William and Kate visited.

“But we want people to come and if we can get them to stop and spend money in the town it could help more shops open.

“It might encourage people to move into the area.”

On the back of Prince William and Kate’s last official engagement before their wedding on April 29, Blackburn with Darwen Council believe Witton Park will become even more popular.

Sayyed Osman, director of environment, neighbourhoods and housing, said: “Witton Country Park is already a very popular regional attraction with hundreds of people coming every week.

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“There are numerous events held at the park as well as fantastic facilities and thousands of people enjoy the astro turf pitches, athletics track, children's play areas and surrounding countryside.

“We are delighted that it has now been put on the world's map following the royal visit and expect visitor numbers to continue to rise.”

Mayor of Darwen Paul Browne added: “Darwen Aldridge Community Academy is going to be the jewel in Darwen’s crown.

"It has put us on the world map and I think it has done nothing but good for the town.”

Comments (9)

11:24am Wed 13 Apr 11

useyourhead says...

A tad over-optimistic!
-
Empty shops filled, on the world map, people will want to see where they visited, really?
-
Only time will tell I guess, but I wouldn't hold my breath if i were you!
A tad over-optimistic! - Empty shops filled, on the world map, people will want to see where they visited, really? - Only time will tell I guess, but I wouldn't hold my breath if i were you! useyourhead

3:23pm Wed 13 Apr 11

chris283 says...

hahahahahhahah
hahahahahhahah chris283

4:50pm Wed 13 Apr 11

The Whiteone says...

useyourhead wrote:
A tad over-optimistic!
-
Empty shops filled, on the world map, people will want to see where they visited, really?
-
Only time will tell I guess, but I wouldn't hold my breath if i were you!
Yes only when Pigs can Fly
[quote][p][bold]useyourhead[/bold] wrote: A tad over-optimistic! - Empty shops filled, on the world map, people will want to see where they visited, really? - Only time will tell I guess, but I wouldn't hold my breath if i were you![/p][/quote]Yes only when Pigs can Fly The Whiteone

5:52pm Wed 13 Apr 11

Private I says...

"Mayor of Darwen Paul Browne added: “Darwen Aldridge Community Academy is going to be the jewel in Darwen’s crown.

"It has put us on the world map and I think it has done nothing but good for the town.”

So why did his Lib Dem colleagues Simon Huggill & Karima Foster oppose it and speak out against it at the public enquiries that cost the Council and us poor taxpayer's hundred's of thousands of pounds.
"Mayor of Darwen Paul Browne added: “Darwen Aldridge Community Academy is going to be the jewel in Darwen’s crown. "It has put us on the world map and I think it has done nothing but good for the town.” So why did his Lib Dem colleagues Simon Huggill & Karima Foster oppose it and speak out against it at the public enquiries that cost the Council and us poor taxpayer's hundred's of thousands of pounds. Private I

6:48pm Wed 13 Apr 11

LiveseyBranchRover says...

So, whilst we benignly accept the injustices of the scale of budget cuts inflicted upon our already severely deprived borough, whilst certain affluent areas of Southern England actually receive INCREASES to their budgets... we are expected to feel grateful at having been thrown a toffee in the form of these two priviliged, silver spoon sucking celebs, being sent up from Londinium to have a wander round a park in Blackburn and a school in Darwen for the afternoon. They must think we're f**king stupid! Oh wait, we are aren't we. When is everybody going to WAKE UP.
So, whilst we benignly accept the injustices of the scale of budget cuts inflicted upon our already severely deprived borough, whilst certain affluent areas of Southern England actually receive INCREASES to their budgets... we are expected to feel grateful at having been thrown a toffee in the form of these two priviliged, silver spoon sucking celebs, being sent up from Londinium to have a wander round a park in Blackburn and a school in Darwen for the afternoon. They must think we're f**king stupid! Oh wait, we are aren't we. When is everybody going to WAKE UP. LiveseyBranchRover

7:38pm Wed 13 Apr 11

Angusam says...

I moved to the UK from Australia 9 years ago and I have ended up living here in Darwen. Personally I Love this little town, the history and lovely old buildings that this town has are amazing. I find the people here to be lovely too.

I hope other people come and visit and find it to be what I have.
I moved to the UK from Australia 9 years ago and I have ended up living here in Darwen. Personally I Love this little town, the history and lovely old buildings that this town has are amazing. I find the people here to be lovely too. I hope other people come and visit and find it to be what I have. Angusam

11:55pm Wed 13 Apr 11

red rose 2 says...

Private I wrote:
"Mayor of Darwen Paul Browne added: “Darwen Aldridge Community Academy is going to be the jewel in Darwen’s crown. "It has put us on the world map and I think it has done nothing but good for the town.” So why did his Lib Dem colleagues Simon Huggill & Karima Foster oppose it and speak out against it at the public enquiries that cost the Council and us poor taxpayer's hundred's of thousands of pounds.
Not only did Coun Huggill & Foster try to stop the Academy, (costing us taxpayers nearly £1m) so did Coun Roy Davies - who's son attends the school !
[quote][p][bold]Private I[/bold] wrote: "Mayor of Darwen Paul Browne added: “Darwen Aldridge Community Academy is going to be the jewel in Darwen’s crown. "It has put us on the world map and I think it has done nothing but good for the town.” So why did his Lib Dem colleagues Simon Huggill & Karima Foster oppose it and speak out against it at the public enquiries that cost the Council and us poor taxpayer's hundred's of thousands of pounds.[/p][/quote]Not only did Coun Huggill & Foster try to stop the Academy, (costing us taxpayers nearly £1m) so did Coun Roy Davies - who's son attends the school ! red rose 2

10:45pm Thu 14 Apr 11

Darrens Delivery Service says...

Roy Davies posted me a letter about 2 weeks ago, welcoming me to Darwen.
I have lived in the same house for 22 years???
Roy Davies posted me a letter about 2 weeks ago, welcoming me to Darwen. I have lived in the same house for 22 years??? Darrens Delivery Service

2:36pm Thu 28 Apr 11

bankhall says...

It has put us on the world map and I think it has done nothing but good for the town.” surely tossers like this should be certified
It has put us on the world map and I think it has done nothing but good for the town.” surely tossers like this should be certified bankhall

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