The Exchange is at the heart of Blackburn’s cultural history. As an iconic, awe-inspiring building, providing one of the largest performance and exhibition events spaces in Lancashire, it will be a place to inspire, create, entertain and be entertained.

As a heritage site, we are at the core of Blackburn’s cotton history and a visitor destination in the heart of the town’s cultural quarter alongside Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, Blackburn Library, The Making Rooms and The Bureau. We are part of Lancashire’s story of cotton and canals, the industrial revolution and the Northern Powerhouse. We will provide a focus for place making, sharing and celebrating the stories that make up Blackburn’s DNA as a borough of manufacture and creativity.

We are contributing to the narrative of Blackburn by providing a beautiful space to showcase and exhibit the work of creators, manufacturing, making and makers.

Our affordable, accessible, modern spaces will be shared by performing arts societies, clubs and organisations looking for big spaces, open rehearsal rooms and studios. This will be where people of all ages and backgrounds can discover and develop performance skills, follow their dreams, meet and make friends and achieve their full potential.

Cotton manufacturing is at the root of our history. Our heritage as The Cotton Exchange links us intrinsically with the diversity of communities and generations that make up the population of Blackburn with Darwen. The Exchange will be a place for projects that bring about cohesion, conversations and collaboration.

We will be a focal point for our connected narratives.

This will become a place to share, learn and grow through volunteering and contribution. Alongside professional expertise, our volunteer development programme will offer opportunities, training and support which will provide a sense of worth. This will be where people of all backgrounds come together to make a difference.

The Exchange will become a building where people are valued, where change takes place and exciting things happen in communities. It will do this by linking economic regeneration, cultural renaissance and cohesion. We will pioneer a performance and exhibition centred community hub supporting the town centre and high street as a place to live, play, meet, collaborate, create and learn.

We will bring together stakeholders, where necessary taking the lead in community conversations. In partnership The Exchange development team will help to address the needs of the area and its people. We will play our part in identifying solutions, encourage and get involved in collaborative activities bringing about renewed hope and restore collective pride.

This astounding venue offers a unique blank canvas to showcase enterprise, commerce, manufacturing and industry with corporate partners.

The development of the building and its operation as a working venue aims to create employment and training opportunities with a range of partners including apprenticeship schemes and local colleges.

We will become a space for artistic installations and resident businesses encouraging creativity, artistic endeavour, growth and innovation.