Facelift for Victorian town hall

It is hoped the plans will attract more visitors and shoppers

Plans to give Darwen's Victorian town hall a £250,000 facelift have been unveiled by the local council.

The scheme aims to improve the town centre and will include news shops and improved access to the market hall.

Part of the front of the town hall, which opened in 1882, will be adapted to create shops in keeping with the Victorian façade.

Blackburn with Darwen Council say it wants to recreate the "Victorian vision" of the town.

This means the town hall and the market being a local focal point. It is hoped it will bring in new visitors to Market Square.

New public toilets, baby changing and feeding rooms are also included in the plans.

Councillor Alan Cottam said: "Back in the 1880s a design competition was held for the town hall.

"The winning entry was the innovative concept of putting the municipal office and markets at the heart of the town centre.

"This sympathetic refurbishment will revive that and encourage more shoppers to visit the market hall," he added.