Work to demolish a prominent building in Blackburn town center has come to a halt after a digger involved in the demolition was trapped in the rubble and toppled over. He was part of the team working to remove the former Thwaites visitor center in Penny Street, which was located next to the firm’s former Star Brewery in Barbara Castle Way.

On Thursday, October 24, passersby were stunned to see the digger trapped under the rubble as the building now belongs to the Issa brothers Monte. blackburn Ltd. property The arm finally came down. One shopper said: “Looks like they’ve had some trouble in the wreckage. I hope whoever there is is okay.”

“I remember this building, but if it is not used it would be better if it was demolished. “I hope this will be the beginning of the construction of new buildings here.”

Lancashire The Telegraph reported that the digger was rescued from the rubble on Thursday night and was not damaged. No one was injured in the incident and the demolition process resumed and was scheduled for Friday.

A source said: “I think he looked worse than before.”

The visitor center building was the temporary home of the Blackburn Bureau Arts Center for five years. In April 2019, St. Evangelist He was there after moving following the devastating fire at St. John’s Church.

But it has now moved to a permanent new home, the former Lewis Textile Museum on Exchange Street next to Blackburn Town Hall. Blackburn was approached by Monte Blackburn Ltd earlier this year. Darwen The council needs preliminary approval for “the proposed demolition of the C-shaped arts center building with solid walls around the building and roads.”

The application form states the reason for demolishing the building he owns is “to prevent the site from attracting antisocial behaviour”. The company has not yet announced what it proposes to do with the site.

Monte Blackburn Ltd and Blackburn with Darwen Council He declined to comment on the incident. Thwaites has been reached for comment.

The former visitor center sits on the edge of the cleared Thwaites brewery site, which is being redeveloped as part of Darwen Council’s £250m 10-year masterplan for Blackburn town centre, Blackburn, announced in December 2021.