The Cathedral received a grant from Blackburn with Darwen Council for the works at Checks & Greys, including a new toddler play area with a small climbing frame and slide, a large new canopy, planters and a new bike rack.
There’s also a new outdoor ordering system being launched too.
And, with the National Festival of Making taking over the town centre this weekend, including much of the Cathedral and its grounds, the Bishop is inviting people to pay Checks and Greys a visit.
Officially cutting the ribbon on the improved outdoor area – following one final test of the slide – the Bishop, Right Reverend Philip North said: “This is fantastic and important for the café, its neighbours and for the town centre.
“God draws on the importance of building strong communities and both the Cathedral and the town centre, supported by the Council, play an important part in that here in Blackburn.
“We’re looking forward to seeing people come to visit Checks & Greys to enjoy all that the café has to offer, including the new outdoor area, as well as the Cathedral and its beautiful grounds.”
A strong congregation of more than 1,000 people turned out for a service marking the installation of the new Bishop last month.
Checks & Greys, which also specialises in outside catering, made more than 950 delicious picnic boxes for the event and also caters for Bishop’s events.
The Dean of Blackburn Cathedral, the Very Reverend Peter Howell-Jones added: “It’s all happening at the Cathedral at the moment with new live shows, the National Festival of Making and the improvements at Checks & Greys too.
“We have a 90s Silent Disco next week with more than 900 people attending.
“This is an exciting time for us and the works are another brilliant example of successful partnership working that will benefit the café and those visiting the Cathedral Square and our neighbours, The Firepit, Turtle Bay and Premier Inn.”
Checks & Greys is based within the Cathedral Quarter development – the award-winning £38m regeneration partnership between Blackburn with Darwen Council, the Cathedral and funding agencies.
Close to the town’s railway station, it boasts Grade A business accommodation – One Cathedral Square – as well as a Premier Inn hotel and the strong food and drink offer.
The Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Growth and Development, Councillor Quesir Mahmood, said: “This is such an impressive area of the town and the grant for the outdoor area will help attract young families to support the businesses here, including Checks & Greys.
“Strong partnership working underpins all that we do at the Council and it’s fantastic to see the Cathedral thrive.
“With the Festival of Making taking over Blackburn town centre this weekend and thousands of visitors expected, it’s the perfect time to unveil these latest works.”
