Key update on future of Lancashire church seven years after being gutted by fire
Preparatory works for the rebuilding of former St John’s Church in Blackburn town centre that was gutted by a fire seven years ago are under way councillors have been told.
And the main construction work on the 239-year-old building which has stood empty since the blaze in April 2019 are on schedule to start this summer.
The update is in Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Cllr Phil Riley’s written report to the authority’s full Council Forum on Thursday evening.
It follows the body’s executive in February appointing Barnfield Construction as contractor for the £8.5 million redevelopment.
The landmark building is due to reopen in 2028 as a digital business and creative innovation hub.
Cllr Riley’s report says: “I’m really pleased that work is moving forward on the transformation of the former St John’s Church after the fire that caused extensive damage in 2019.
“Barnfield Construction has been approved and confirmed as contractor for the £8.5 million redevelopment, marking a major step in bringing this historic Blackburn town centre building back into use.
“The innovative redevelopment of St John’s will focus on digital and cyber technology businesses, forming a new creative hub with links to the Blackburn Skills Campus coming to the town centre.
“High-specification, flexible workspaces will be on offer to digital and cyber businesses to take advantage of opportunities linked to the National Cyber Force development at nearby Samlesbury Enterprise Zone.
“Early works began earlier this month, with the full redevelopment starting in the summer.
“This is an exciting milestone for a much-loved landmark and a significant investment in the future of Blackburn town centre.”
Since 2019, the Council has been working to bring the Grade-II listed building back into use, securing planning permission in November 2023.
More than 9,500 square feet of workspaces will be on offer to digital and cyber businesses.
Dating back to 1787, the former church in Victoria Street is a prominent building on the Blackburn town centre skyline, with its recognisable bell tower.
Livesey with Pleasington ward Conservative Cllr Derek Hardman, a former choirboy at the church, has welcomed the progress: “It’s great to see the work to restore this historic church is finally happening.”