Home Bargains to transform former Perspex factory site in Darwen

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 05:32 · Archive

Home Bargains will transform a cleared former Perspex manufacturing site in Darwen into a major retail destination, creating around 100 jobs.

Perspex International, a producer of industrial chemicals and plastics, vacated the Orchard Mill site on Duckworth Street when it centralised manufacturing operations at its Chapels Park hub in Darwen. The site's industrial buildings, which extended to over 22,000 sqm, were demolished following approval in 2025, with clearance completed this year.

TJ Morris Ltd, the company behind Home Bargains, has submitted a hybrid planning application to Blackburn with Darwen Council to transform the cleared land. This will be Home Bargains' first store in Darwen; the company's nearest existing branch is in Blackburn town centre.

The proposals include a 2,787 sqm Home Bargains store in the southern section, with a second phase earmarked for up to two smaller retail units on the northern part of the site. Developers say the scheme represents an investment of over £10 million and will create in excess of 100 full and part-time jobs, with further employment generated through future retail units and the construction programme.

How it is being reported

• Future of huge vacant piece of land in Darwen has been confirmedThe future of the former Perspex International site has been confirmedLancsLive · 27 Oct, 05:00
• Retailer finally reveals plan to transform Darwen site left by manufacturerThe future of a large parcel of land in Darwen that was formerly occupied by a major international manufacturer has been confirmedLancashire Telegraph · 26 Oct, 14:00

In this story: Home Bargains · TJ Morris Ltd · Perspex International · Darwen · Blackburn with Darwen Council

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem