Enlighten Accrington – AR Walking Trail

Location 2 - Town Square

Blackburn Road west of the Town Hall developed initially as a Victorian shopping street. In 1889 Blackburn road entered their greatest street improvement, which was to widen Blackburn Road from the Railway Arch to the Market, to a width of 20 yards, by pulling down the whole of the property on the southerly side of the road, a greater part of which had been in existence for 50 or 60 years. The widening of Blackburn Road was inspired by the boulevards of Paris and was an ambitious scheme led by Henry Ross, Accrington’s prominent local architect. He was both the designer of the buildings and a shareholder of the development company. The long row of three-storey shops, each with a unique facade, was his work. At each end is an art deco block of the 1920s.

Accrington Town Square’s face has changed many times through the history of the local area. From horse and cart, to trams, car and later a pedestrianised area. The town square has acted as a main pillar of the community as a place of gathering. From local and national celebrations to the general hustle of the busy Accrington Centre.