Earlier this week we asked our readers the question – what does Blackburn town centre need the most?
We received almost 1,000 comments from our social media post, and while some of the answers were, erm, questionable, many were perfectly reasonable and sensible, with hundreds of you calling for a better market, more nightlife, more for the town’s youngsters and less takeaways.
Unfortunately, we can’t publish every single comment (we might get sued), but we’ve done our best to give a rounded account of what the people of Blackburn would like to see in their town centre…as well as some comments just for fun.
Fiaz Shah said: “A green outdoor space on the desolate Thwaites site. We could really do with something for young folk. i.e. Go karting, snow sports or something like Go Ape.”
Shirley Aspinall said: “Returning to Blackburn as it used to be. Decent shops and night life, instead of all the pound shops and takeaways.”
Shelley Aspin added: “Decent shops that aren’t pound shops, dessert bars and phone shops.
"Some pubs back in the town centre and another couple of restaurants like Chinese or Italian.”
Maureen Loftus commented: “A proper market and shops like we used to have. It’s rubbish at present. Go and check Bury Market out.”
David Shaw wrote: “HMV and a farmers market.”
While Duncan Bradley said: “Been to Accrington today…a sad town centre...Bolton is the same as Accrington. Blackburn is going the same way in the next few years if things don't change.
“It’s not one thing, it is has a lot to do with the cost of living, the demographics of the town and the wants and needs of the community have changed...online shopping...cost of rates...fuel...security and safety of the customers going into a town...parking costs...large stores pulled out or have gone for good...the town cannot attract shops which will bring in customers.
“When they close, they become charity or food outlets ...or just boarded up...it’s a very sad place to go now after being brought up there in a vibrant town with everything you needed and more.
“Now there is nothing to go in for as you can get everything to your door online...even Boots Opticians closed.
“I just hope that the council can make the changes necessary to bring it back to life...I for one go in once or twice a year and do not plan to go in anymore if I can help it.”
Deborah Hargreaves spoke of the nightlife of the past, and how what was once a vibrant, bustling town on a Saturday evening has been reduced to almost nothing.
She said: “I moved here in 2002 and the nightlife was ace, but my husband said a few years before that was even better, people travelling from places like Liverpool and Manchester to be in Blackburn!!
"You just wouldn’t believe that now, there’s basically tumbleweeds running round on a Saturday night, it’s completely dead.”
And Sue Davies commented: “We tried to find somewhere to eat a couple of weeks ago on a Friday night before seeing Dawn French at King George’s Hall. Loads of other couples doing the same.
"Both the places on the Boulevard were full and absolutely nothing else other than the kebab shops on Darwen St, the Chippery or McDonald’s. We had to settle for a bag of chips! No pubs and not enough restaurants.”
James Newton spoke of rents in the town centre, saying: “Cut the cost on rent of the shops to keep them open, if not it will end up looking like Accrington town centre.”
While Nina Walker put it bluntly by writing: “A reason to visit! The nightlife is all but gone so a massive amount of people going elsewhere.
"Also, the shopping centre has a limited/poor choice of shops, and the market is absolutely appalling! I only go in if absolutely necessary. An absolute shell of what it used to be!”
John O’Neill and several others took aim at Blackburn with Darwen Council, saying: “A new council running it, the last ones have run it into the ground.”
And Steven Foley wrote: “Whatever we say we won’t ever get. Just put more takeaways in there – it's all this council is capable of.”
While Chris Cawley said: “A shake-up with the so called council, that gets paid for doing nothing.”
And Dot Green wrote: “A decent council, that is interested in the town.”
Despite the majority of comments remaining reasonably sensible, other comments ranged from the daft, to the downright ridiculous – including this from Martyn Thornber: “A cruise missile.”
Warren Fielding simply said: “A bulldozer.”
While Dave Robinson said: “Putting in a time machine and dialling back to the 80s.”
And Denise Brogden said: “Knocking down.”
Paul Child commented: “A moat.”
Sean Simpson suggested a golf course, Pat Walmsley said a face lift, while Mark McLeister simply put: “A tactical nuke.”
What do you think Blackburn town centre needs? Is there anything our readers have missed? Put your answers in the comments section below.
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