A £5 million plan has been unveiled to transform one of Blackburn‘s (Lancashire, England) most iconic buildings from a derelict shell into a restaurant, bar and theatre space.
The former Apollo cinema, also once the town’s Cotton Exchange, is set to be revamped into a centre for arts, culture and business by the charity Re:Source Blackburn.
Community leaders have hailed the plans as “ambitious” and “exciting”.
Alastair Murdoch, chair of trustees of Re:Source and Shadsworth GP, said “The Cotton Exchange has been a semi-dormant venue that has deteriorated over the last 10 years. Our vision is to save this magnificent Grade II listed building from continued dereliction, and see it flourish once again as a strategic venue.”