A new planning application has been submitted setting out plans for major new investment in Darwen’s Library and Library Theatre.
The project – part of the £100m Darwen Town Deal and supported by investment from Blackburn with Darwen Council – includes:
- A proposed double-storey extension – better linking the library and theatre, opening up the spaces for wider community uses
- Plans for an impressive new entrance to the theatre which will be easier to access from the town centre with space for a new café/bar
- Improvements to the historic library that would focus on repairing and retaining the character and original features while helping to create more space
- Increased sustainability to help support the future of both the library and theatre
This new application developed by Buttress Architects is seeking both planning and Listed Building Consent and comes just two weeks after plans were also revealed for neighbouring Darwen Market Hall.
Those proposals include a refurbishment of the Victorian Market Hall, a new arcade to replace the existing Market Annex and a new town centre car park.
Together the schemes, alongside a brand-new youth centre, are part of £25m of new investment for Darwen town centre.
Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Vice Chair of the Darwen Town Deal Board, Councillor Phil Riley, said:
There’s a fascinating history behind Darwen Library and Darwen Library Theatre. A history that we want to preserve and celebrate while also looking forward to the future for this beautiful, historic building.
The Town Deal has offered us a chance to be able to invest significantly in the town centre and in things that matter to us and to our residents, investment that will help make a real difference.
This new planning application sets out our ambitions for how we can best make use of the building and its facilities to benefit our communities. An exciting next step in our plans for Darwen.
The Darwen Library building was designed by architect Raymond Harrison.
It was funded by Andrew Carnegie – an iron and steel magnate and prolific philanthropist who was passionate about the availability of free libraries.
Darwen was in fact one of the first non-borough towns to adopt the Public Libraries Act in 1871, and in 1895 it was one of the first libraries in the country to offer open access.
Due to its success and popularity, its original premises were no longer suitable and so an application was made to Carnegie for £8,000 of funding for the new building.
However, an initial set of plans – that also included an art gallery – were rejected resulting in Council Chairman, Ralph Yates, undertaking a personal visit to him at his Scottish home.
Carnegie then generously awarded £10,000 for the new library building, requesting a dedicated juvenile library. On May 27, 1908, Carnegie officially opened the library.
And today, much of its historic layout and features remains intact. An original lecture theatre in the under croft being transformed into the popular Darwen Library Theatre in 2000.
Councillor Riley added:
We know that investing in our cultural venues is an important part of ensuring the future success of our town centres.
We also know that our libraries and our cultural venues, including the library theatre, also play an incredibly important role in bringing our communities together.
Darwen was a trailblazer when it came to offering open access to libraries – that remains fundamentally important today.
The Library Theatre has also been successful in attracting big names to perform in the town, Paddy McGuinness being a huge hit recently, and indeed there’s a packed and impressive programme right throughout 2025, including as one of the main stages for Darwen Live – the UK’s biggest free music festival.
This investment is important to the future of the building, to the library, to the theatre, to the town centre and to our communities and it’s an exciting next chapter in such a fascinating tale for Darwen.
History books also describe how when Darwen became a borough in 1878 and the council took control of library services, Betty Bannister became head librarian. She’s believed to be the first female head librarian to be appointed in the country.
Across the borough, the Council, with support from new investment it has successfully secured from Government, is investing significantly in cultural venues, including:
- King George’s Hall – the largest performance venue in Lancashire
- Tony’s Empress Ballroom – the historic dance hall with famous connections to the Northern Soul movement
- The Exchange – an iconic Grade II-listed building, best remembered as the old cinema, now home to groundbreaking art installations and the international adidas Spezial exhibition hosted by Darwen adidas designer, Gary Aspden
- Imperial Mill – a grand former cotton mill, recently acquired by the council to help safeguard its future
- The Making Rooms – an exciting space where visitors can develop skills in everything from 3D printing and ceramics to textiles and electronics which could double in size as part of new plans
The Darwen Town Deal alongside additional funding committed by the Council and private investors will help unlock around £100m of new investment for Darwen.
In addition to this, the Government has also just confirmed a further £20m for Darwen over the next decade from the new Plan for Neighbourhoods.
You can view the full details of the planning application by clicking this link and using reference 10/25/0295.
You can also read our feature about Darwen – the town that has it all – in the latest edition of the Council’s Shuttle Extra magazine out now!
You can view a digital version by clicking here.
