'Give Darwen a town council'

The key aim of 'We're Backing Darwen' is the creation of a town council for Darwen to create a stronger identity and increase inward investment.

The new council would allow people to have a bigger say on by-laws and planning issues through locally elected councillors and also act as a major forum and lobbying organisation.

Darwen has some good independent shops, attractive places to live and proposed multi-million-pound developments such as the Darwen Academy and new leisure centre.

But we believe more needs to be done to make this fiercely independent town truly shine.

In addition to the town council, We're Backing Darwen will campaign for improvements to Darwen's road network amid widespread anger at the revamped town centre system.

The campaign will also urge civic leaders to give the town more focus for events such as the Christmas lights to support traders.

Darwen MP Janet Anderson said: "I very much welcome any attempt by the Lancashire Telegraph to highlight Darwen, and act as an ambassador for the town.

"There are plenty of attractions. We have got lovely places to eat and drink, and beautiful walks. There is plenty going on.

"There are also things that need putting right in the town centre, like the road network."

Darwen joined up with Blackburn to form a joint borough council in 1974.

But many Darweners feel their town has had a raw deal.

Other East Lancashire towns have had new retail and industrial parks, but many Darwen people have to travel out of town to work.

One in 10 shops in the town is empty, with around five vacant on the main Market Street and Duckworth Street shopping route.

While this is in line with other towns, many Darweners feel that more could be done to create a much more vibrant shopping centre.

A study into Darwen from 2005 found that the sale of non-food items was in decline, with the town only having a one per cent share of the market in East Lancashire.

The study called for a clear definition of Darwen town centre and more investment.

And we believe a town council can help achieve this.

In September councillors voted for a referendum. Now, for the Government to allow the move, 10 per cent of residents must sign a petition backing the town council.

Coun Tony Melia, leader of the For Darwen party, said support was strong among townspeople: "I think a lot of it is to do with identity.

"People think that they come under the cloak of Blackburn so there is no identity for the town.

"Blackburn and Darwen are two different towns - a town of commerce and industry and a market town.

"The other thing is the decision-making. For example, a town council would be able to make recommendations on planning decisions.

"This would mean an input on regeneration, which has been one of the most controversial things over the past few years."

Andrew McAllister, president of Darwen Chamber of Trade, believes the town council would enable Darwen to make a stronger case for investment on its own, and such investment would "start the ball rolling".

He said: "I think the whole idea is the development of the town and making it more shopper-friendly.

"When you start putting money in it attracts investment.

"There have been a few mistakes, but at the end of the day the intention is right.

"We need the chains looking at us. We could do with a clothes shop and a shoe shop.

"The M65 link has opened up Darwen massively. At the end of the day it will pay off but we have to be patient."

Denise Perry, of the Lowerwood Area Residents' Association, said: "Darwen people feel very different from Blackburn people, and they feel a bit forgotten, as if they are an afterthought."

Blackburn with Darwen council leader Colin Rigby said they were trying to address the perception of Darwen being a poor relation.

He said: "We have been meeting with traders about the traffic problems, and the market is a concern.

"But you have got to stand back and take a long-term view.

"You have got India Mill which was virtually empty and now has 500 jobs in it.

"You have got flats on the Crown Wallpaper site.

"When they are occupied the residents will spend money in the town centre.

"When the new school is built the students will spend money in the town.

"This is two years down the line. I know the people of Darwen want it to happen tomorrow but we can't do that.

"You have to look to the future."