Ticker tape fell from the sky and crowds cheered as Northern Power House Minister, Jack Berry unveiled a commemorative plaque to celebrate Blackburn’s victory in the Great British High Street Awards. He visited the town on Saturday (15th July) to take part in a traditional street party outside the town hall organised by Blackburn BID. The celebration was paid for by businesses and included a pop up band stand with musical styles from across the world by community artists and Britain’s Got Talent finalist, Sarah Ikumu.
On the same day as the British Grand Prix, visitors were able to sit in a replica Formula 1 car and snap a selfie with a Lewis Hamilton look-alike. Over 1000 red, white and blue balloons were handed out to visitors along with hundreds of union flags and party hats to mark the occasion.
Harriet Roberts, manager of Blackburn BID, said, “It was great to see so many smiling faces and to celebrate all the hard work that we are all putting into putting Blackburn on the map.”
Film footage from the event and interviews with key individuals from across the town centre is being made into a short documentary film. This will be launched in the autumn and will be available online alongside the publication of 20,000 copies of a new visitor guide which will explain how Blackburn came to beat 900 other entries to become Winner of Winners in the Great British High Street Awards 2016.
Main picture: Board members and key staff from the BID along with Kate Hollern MP for Blackburn celebrate the win after their hard work
