A story about Darwen recently caught our eye and we thought it was worthy of a mention on our blog. Featured in Lancashire Life, the article takes a look at Darwen, its features as a place to both live and visit, and some of the people and business that are helping to revive the town centre.
The article notes:
“Darwen, with its good transport links and welcoming atmosphere, is becoming an increasingly popular place to live. In order to meet that demand, many new homes, roads and even a school are being built.”
As well as having a regular market, Darwen is also doing its bit to attract other audiences, such as small businesses, via initiatives such as the town’s new the flexible working space WORK (formerly the Co-op bank). The local council has also submitted a bid for a government grant, which if successful, would see the town receive several millions of pounds and undergo a complete transformation.
It’s great to see initiatives such as this in our Lancashire towns. Lots of our staff and clients are proud Darreners, and it’s an area that Lea Hough has strong links to having undertaken lots of work I the town over the years.
From residential surveys, valuations, and homebuyers reports right through to commercial work including heritage restoration works (under the Townscape Heritage Initiative). Other projects to note in Darwen include acting as Party Wall Surveyor (including undertaking party wall jobs for Darwen Leisure Centre), gaining planning permission for housing developments, defending dilapidations for businesses, preparing Schedules of Condition for tenants who are entering new leases, working as consultant to schools in Darwen, planned maintenance surveys of Darwen Academy…the list goes on!
As well as benefiting the everyday lives of the people living in Darwen by improving amenities and making the town centre an attractive and inviting place to be, regeneration projects are also great for the long term prospects of a town and its popularity. Over time, we would expect to see house prices go up in the area, particularly where houses are in the catchment area of good schools.