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£8.5m Plan Approved to Transform Blackburn Church into Creative Hub

Tuesday, 17 February 2026 11:51

Plans to convert Blackburn’s former St John’s Church into a digital and cyber business hub have taken a major step forward after councillors approved the appointment of a contractor.

Plans to transform the former St John’s Church in Blackburn into a creative business hub have taken a major step forward.

Councillors have agreed to appoint Barnfield Construction to deliver the eight-and-a-half million pound redevelopment of the Grade II listed building, which has stood empty since a fire in 2019.

The scheme will create more than nine thousand square feet of high-specification office space aimed at digital and cyber technology firms, linking to the town’s new Skills Campus and opportunities connected to the National Cyber Force development at Samlesbury.

Enabling works are expected to begin in March, with main construction starting in the summer and completion scheduled for early 2028.

Council leaders say the project represents a significant investment in Blackburn’s growing digital economy.

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