New eat-in dessert bar planned for prime spot in town centre next to radio station

A prime spot in the centre of Blackburn that has lain empty for some time could become the town’s latest dessert bar.

Located on Darwen Street next to BBC Radio Lancashire’s offices, the small ground floor retail space was last occupied by novelty sweet shop Candy Kabin, which moved into the site in 2022 but left a year later.

While the unit has previously been a carpet shop and a pawnbroker, its potential future occupant is seeking permission from Blackburn with Darwen Council to keep its sugary theme and offer a range of desserts.

Speculative floor plans indicate that the applicant, Habibah Mazafar, wants to add a small kitchen to the premises and turn the retail unit into a place where people can sit down to enjoy what they have on offer.

In documents submitted as part of the application, Mr Mazafar makes clear that there will be no external alterations made as part of this change, though a mechanical extraction fan will be fitted in the kitchen that may require a further application.

Mr Mazafar’s request for a Certificate of Lawful Development, which would allow the business to go ahead with their plans without a full planning application, is otherwise scant on information.

However further information about the well-located shop, on the market for £1,000 per month plus VAT, was shared by Ainsworth Lord Estates in an advert for the vacant unit.

Describing its prime spot, the advert states: “Situated across from Blackburn Cathedral, adjacent to the shopping Mall, next to Barclays Bank and Radio Lancashire etc makes this beautiful corner shop a rare find!”