A group of 74 businesses in Blackburn and the East Lancashire are working together to contribute 40% of the annual running costs of local youth centre Fusebox, which is being run by the charity Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone and has benefitted from a recent £3.1m transformation backed by the government.

Patrons include logistics firm Fagan & Whalley. Its commercial director Stephan Fagan said: “We are honoured in becoming a proud patron supporter of the Blackburn Youth Zone, with the important work they do providing fundamental foundations to support a stronger community initiative for future generations.”

Other business patrons include hygiene specialist WEPA Professional UK, bank Handelsbanken, energy firm Vital Energi, Red Rose Holdings and Precision Polymer Engineering.

Prestige Beds, Graham & Brown, BAE Systems and The Senator Group are among others.

“We are incredibly grateful for our patron network – now 74 strong – whose generosity contributes just over 40% of our annual costs,” said Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone chair Wayne Wild.

“We are always looking to grow our business network and welcome any new companies that want to join us as we inspire young people to gain skills and aspirations, to gain the best jobs in the future, genuinely levelling up opportunities for future generations,” he added.

The overhaul of the youth centre has been completed this month and is now open to young people to offer support including help with skills and job training and access to sports facilities.

A focus of its employability support is offering opportunities to learn about new technologies, including artificial intelligence and virtual reality.

It has 5,000 members aged between five and 19, which is around one in eight young people in Blackburn.

The £3.1m upgrade been funded through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Youth Investment Fund.

“The funding from government and our incredibly supportive patron network has given us a once in a generation opportunity to rejuvenate our Blackburn facilities,” said Blackburn Youth Zone chief executive Leon Crosby.

“The vision for this space is bold – a cutting-edge learning and enrichment zone that will unlock doors for young people and equip them for the future.”

The youth zone is based in the former home to the Gas Light Company in Blackburn and was built in 1818.

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