On Thursday 5th February 1885, a grand Venetian fair was held at the Exchange to raise money for the building of St Matthew’s Church, Higher Audley.
The interior of the hall was made up to look like Venice, including scenes of St Mark’s Square and Church, the Grand Canal and the Doge’s Palace. Stalls were held along the hall selling a variety of items and ornaments.
More entertainment including a waxwork show, panorama of Egypt and marionettes were being held in the Exchange Lecture Hall on Town Hall Street, and an advert in the Blackburn Standard mentions a covered passageway that had been opened between the two buildings for this event.