DARWEN Resource Centre is to be sold off and its NHS and council services moved to Darwen Town Hall which will be renovated to accommodate them.

Refurbishment work at both buildings to prepare the Edward Street property for sale and allow the relocation to take place is estimated at £150,000.

A report to colleagues by Blackburn with Darwen Council growth boss Cllr Quiesir Mahmood says: "Darwen Resource Centre was confirmed as surplus to operational requirements following a review of council assets in 2023/24.

"This report now seeks to proceed with relocating the joint council and NHS service from Darwen Resource Centre to Darwen Town Hall and the proposed refurbishment works required to facilitate the move.

"Darwen Resource Centre was identified in the review which concluded the asset was significantly underutilised and therefore opportunities to relocate the service to other council assets should be investigated.

"Darwen Town Hall was identified as a suitable alternative location for the service.

"However, the building requires some ‘light-touch’ refurbishment work in advance of relocating the service to ensure the building will not impact service performance levels.

"A scheme has now been prepared to undertake a light refurbishment which includes works to the first floor of Darwen Town Hall.

"In addition to these works some minor modifications have been identified to several rooms on the ground floor.

"As Darwen Resource Centre is also an established a polling station, an alternative location within the same polling district will need to be identified "The proposed refurbishment works are planned to be undertaken in the autumn with service relocation planned for January 2025.

"Council officers will market Darwen Resource Centre. It is anticipated a disposal would most likely occur during 2025/26.

"Council officers from Growth and Development are currently working up proposals for Darwen Market Hall refurbishment and plans have been shared to ensure works are coordinated.

"The Market Hall refurbishment plans present an opportunity to include further works to Darwen Town Hall to modernise the accommodation to provide flexibility for further workforce reconfigurations and partner collaborations.

"These works would need to include a comprehensive refurbishment plan of both the internal and external fabric together with a full building services upgrade.

"The costs of these works will be presented as part of the Market Hall proposals.

"It is anticipated that the cost of operating the services from Darwen Town Hall can be contained within the existing budget for the Darwen Resource Centre."