April 2025

Discover Burnley Live, the Burnley Vintage & Performance Car Show, a New Campaign to Tackle Abuse against Shop Workers and lots more

Get Involved in Burnley Live 2025

Burnley is set to come alive once again with the electrifying sounds of Burnley Live, as the much-loved music festival returns from Friday 2nd - Monday 5th May 2025.

Following the huge success of previous years, this four-day celebration of live music, dance, and local talent promises to be even bigger in 2025. Dozens of venues will join forces to host an incredible mix of performances, from rock and indie to opera and punk, while Ormerod Street’s headline stage will showcase top bands and musicians all weekend. Meanwhile, St James’s Street will transform into a bustling Artisan Market on Saturday 3rd May, offering everything from street food to local produce.

With popular venues like Bar Mojitos, Remedy Gin Bar, The Big Window, The Coal Yard, The Royal Dyche, The Palazzo, The Inn on the Wharf, The Swan, Penny Black, Hatters Craft Bar, Hidden, Smackwater Jacks, The Loom, Burnley Mechanics Theatre and Charter Walk Shopping Centre already on board, now is the time for your business to get involved. Whether you’re a venue, performer, or trader, this is a fantastic opportunity to be part of one of Burnley’s biggest events, attract new customers, and help showcase the town’s thriving entertainment scene.

Don’t miss out- sign up today and be part of Burnley Live 2025. Please contact Laura Diffey on Laura.Diffey@groundwork.org.uk for more details.

Save the Date - Burnley Vintage & Performance Car Show

Burnley’s Vintage and Performance Car Show returns on Saturday 13th September 2025, attracting thousands of visitors into the town centre. This high-energy event, organised by Burnley BID with support from The Rotary Club of Burnley, is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to boost footfall, visibility, and sales.

The event transforms St James’s Street into a car lover’s paradise, featuring classic, retro and high-performance vehicles, alongside live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and interactive experiences. It’s the perfect chance for businesses to engage with new customers and be part of the excitement.

How Can Your Business Get Involved?

• Host an in-store event or themed promotion to attract visitors.

• Offer exclusive discounts to encourage spending.

For those who own a vintage vehicle or motorcycle and would like to feature their machine in this year's event, registrations are open and you can sign up via the button below. 

If your business would like to be involved in the celebrations, please contact Laura Diffey on Laura.Diffey@groundwork.org.uk.

Let's make this an unforgettable day for the town - and your business!

Zero Tolerance Campaign Launched to Take Abuse Against Burnley Shop Workers

Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, and Lancashire Constabulary have joined forces with Burnley BID and Charter Walk Shopping Centre to launch a zero-tolerance campaign to tackle the issue of violence against shop workers.

Launched as part of the first national Business Crime Reduction Partnership Week, the initiative highlights the critical role of retail workers and reinforces a collective stand against crime.

Aligning with Operation Vulture, Lancashire Police’s proactive effort to combat retail crime, this campaign will focus on increased patrols, targeting prolific offenders, and prioritising incidents of violence. With the recent Crime and Policing Bill introducing a specific offence for assaulting retail workers, the message is clear - abuse and violence will not be tolerated.

What This Means for Your Business:

• Increased police presence and crime prevention initiatives to protect staff and customers.

• Stronger collaboration between businesses, law enforcement, and local authorities to tackle crime effectively.

• Encouragement for businesses to report all incidents, ensuring a full picture of retail crime is built to inform future policing strategies.

Burnley BID’s Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) continues to support local businesses, working alongside the police and council to create a safer, more secure town centre. As business owners, you play a key role - by reporting crime and supporting this initiative, we can ensure a safer environment for employees, customers, and the wider community.

For more information, contact Laura Diffey today and be part of the movement to protect retail workers and local businesses.

Oddies Bakery has reopened!

We’re thrilled to share that Oddies Bakery has officially reopened its doors in Burnley town centre.

After closing its branches across Lancashire earlier this year, the beloved 120-year-old family business has struck a deal to reopen seven locations.

Working alongside Wigan-based Waterfields, Oddies is once again serving the community, with its St James’s Street shop now open and ready to welcome old and new customers. 

Businesses Supporting Businesses: Shining a Light on The Community Grocery

We love seeing local businesses and initiatives making a real impact, and The Community Grocery at Down Town is doing just that! This fantastic initiative is not only helping the community with affordable weekly food shops, but also tackling food waste by rescuing and redistributing surplus goods.

For just £5 a year, members can access affordable groceries - with options ranging from 12 items for £5 to 30 items for £12.50 - all while reducing waste and supporting sustainability. But it’s more than just food! Members also benefit from free wrap-around support, including mental health courses, job clubs, money management advice, and healthy cooking classes.

How can you support this local business?

Want to make a difference? Pay it forward by covering a food shop for someone in need, or simply stop by to see Kristina and the team at Down Town in Charter Walk (above New Look). Let’s champion businesses that give back - because when we support local, we all thrive.

Boost Your Business with Social Media Exposure across the Discover Burnley Channels

Want to reach thousands of potential customers?

Let us showcase your business on the Discover Burnley social media channels with high-quality video and photography content.

The impact speaks for itself:
🥧 Our post announcing Oddies’ reopening in March soared past 200K organic views!

📢 A video spotlighting The Royal Dyche hit over 38K views.

Social media is a game-changer for small businesses, driving engagement, footfall, and brand awareness. Don’t let your business miss out - invite us in, and let’s tell your story to Burnley and beyond!

📩 Book your free feature today - email Anoushka at  marketing@discoverburnley.co.uk.

Promote Your Events with Discover Burnley 

Looking to reach more people and to boost attendance at your in-store or business events? 

Discover Burnley offers a free and easy-to-use platform where you can upload your events directly, making them visible to the public and helping you attract more visitors.

Not only will your events appear on the website, but they’ll also be featured in our weekly round-ups on Discover Burnley’s social media channels and highlighted in our consumer newsletters, giving you even more free exposure.

Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase what’s happening in your business - upload your events today and let’s work together to bring more people into Burnley’s thriving town.

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