Dilapidated cigarette kiosk blighting town centre to be knocked down as locals bemoan state of eyesore
The dilapidated ‘eyesore’ former cigarette kiosk in Darwen town centre will be knocked down by the end of next month.
The imminent demolition of the vacant building has been revealed by borough planning chairman Cllr Dave Smith.
The kiosk in Croft Street to the south-west of the Town and Market Hall will be removed as part of Blackburn with Darwen Council’s £20million redevelopment of the town centre.
The focus of the scheme is the re-development of the Market Hall, and replacement of the market car park, linked to major upgrades of Darwen Library and Theatre.
Work will also improve the connected public realm and key gateways.
With preparations under way for the flagship Darwen Market Hall and Civic Quarter development project and main construction expected to begin in Autumn 2026 the removal of the kiosk is now due to take place within five weeks.
Darwen West ward’s Cllr Smith said: “The kiosk is due to be knocked down by the end of March by the council or its contractors.
“Once know as “Mags and Fags’ it has been empty for years. It is falling to bits. It is a right eyesore. It’s become a blight on Darwen town centre.
“I am very pleased. It needs knocking down as soon as possible. This is very welcome news.”
The Market Hall and Civic Quarter scheme is part of the authority’s £100m Town Deal financed by the government, the authority’s own capital spending and linked private investment.
The main contractor for the overall project is Nelson-based Barnfield Construction Ltd.