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Making Rooms creative tech hub set for £1.5m boost

Google Street view image of the Making Rooms building in Blackburn. The ground floor is white brick and the top floor is red brick. It has long windows and a bright poster next to the black front door and stands next to a pedestrian crossing.Google
A planning application has been submitted to redevelop and extend the Making Rooms building

A community creative hub where people learn technical and creative skills in everything from ceramics to 3D printing, mould-making and electronics could be set for a £1.5m expansion.

Boosted by new government funding, the team at Blackburn's Making Rooms has applied for planning permission to convert the basement and roof space of its building on Exchange Street.

Since opening in 2016, the community interest company has helped tens of thousands of people to develop their skills.

The new proposals also look to make the whole building fully accessible.

'Incredible potential'

It would also open up more than 10 new workspaces.

The roof space would offer a study room, breakout space and an outdoor terrace.

The hub was initially launched by Blackburn with Darwen Council before becoming a community interest company.

Lab director Tom Macpherson-Pope said: "The potential this proposed expansion offers is just incredible.

"The Making Rooms already has a great range of opportunities for people to get started or develop their skills."

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