Blackburn is located in east Lancashire, in the north-west of Great Britain, and about 20 miles north of Manchester. The town's economy was once supported by a bustling textile industry, and the area was widely known for Wool and Cotton Weaving. With past decades having seen the Textile Industry all but vanish in Blackburn, the region has begun to diversify in order to provide a multitude of employment and recruitment opportunities.

A recent multi-million pound economic stimulus project is now underway. By renovating Blackburn's historic Church Street, local officials hope to revive the business district and boost Tourism in the area.

Industry in Blackburn

Providing thousands of employment opportunities in Administration, Healthcare, and Education, the Public Sector employs over one third of the city. Manufacturing - predominantly in the Aerospace industry - is also a significant economic force in the area. The Aerospace Industry staffs 14,000 jobs and accounts for roughly 22% of the workforce. Service and retail jobs employ a further 20%, and the IT and Finance sectors have experienced substantial growth in recent years.

Major employers in Blackburn

Local recruitment agencies report that the top employers are Blackburn College, BAE Systems (which has a Manufacturing facility at nearby Samlesbury Aerodrome), Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, and the East Lancashire Hospital NHS Trust. Lancashire's median annual income per household was about £31,000 in 2011.