BLACKBURN design guru Wayne Hemingway has appealed for creative people to back the borough’s bid to make the town centre a vibrant hub.

The acclaimed entrepreneur has been recruited by Blackburn and Darwen Council to find ambitious craftspeople and artists for its radical initiative to promote small artisan businesses.

The scheme, 'Blackburn is Open', aims to fill empty shop and office premises with entrepreneurs.

They will be offered big rent and rates discounts, support and mentoring to build successful enterprises in a creative community at the heart of the town. Wayne, who grew up in Blackburn opening his first ‘Red or Dead’ shop in the town with wife Gerardine, worked with council chiefs and business leaders on the plan.

Having built up the hugely successful Vintage fashion brand and the award-winning Hemingway Design, Wayne will personally head the panel to select the most talented and committed applicants.

He said: “There will be a fashion designer out there just starting out and looking to launch their own label; someone printing using an old letterpress machine or making hand-crafted tools in their garage; a talented graphic designer or would-be professional photographer in need of a studio and a public to view and use their talents. We want to hear from them.

“These kind of crafts were once in the centre of any town and that's where they should be again.

“Blackburn is a town of ‘making’ and manufacturing which can help the town prosper.

"I meet creative, hardworking and talented people all the time from Blackburn.”

The project is part of a new 'manifesto' called ‘Arte et Labore’.

Wayne has worked with local graphic designer Stephen Caton of Source Creative to develop the initiative.

It will be supported by a full events programme including annual mini-festivals.