Blackburn Cathedral

ARCHITECT

Purcell Architecture

MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING

AECOM

MAIN CONTRACTOR

John Turner

DETAIL

Cooper8 Ltd were commissioned to design and detail a cathedral café concept for Blackburn Cathedral. The vision was to create a space sympathetic to the Cathedral Quarter’s historic architecture while referencing the local culture of Blackburn.

At the heart of the design was the Blackburn Bee, a symbol from the town’s coat of arms representing hard work, community, and local identity. Drawing on Blackburn’s historic weaving heritage, Cooper8 commissioned bespoke artwork inspired by the dance of the bee, which was printed onto woven cloth and integrated into the café’s interiors. This deep dive into Blackburn’s history and community roots shaped a concept that felt both authentic and forward-looking.

Sustainability was embedded throughout the project, not just in material choices but also in the way the design engaged local makers and resources. A local carpenter was commissioned to build and upholster the café seating and to create the hexagonal timber display feature behind the counters — a nod to the bee’s honeycomb.

Environmentally responsible materials were specified wherever possible, including FSC-certified timbers, recycled glass worktops, and low-energy lighting in the seating areas. This approach ensured the café was not only sympathetic to its Grade II listed setting, but also reflective of modern values around sustainability and local craftsmanship.

The result was a design well ahead of its time, blending heritage, community, and environmental responsibility into a vibrant and welcoming café that continues to serve the Cathedral Quarter.

Cooper8 provided both café interior design and project management services, ensuring the space could operate seamlessly within a Grade II listed heritage building. Following the development of the concept and operational design, we were appointed as Project Managers to coordinate every aspect of delivery, from kitchen layout planning to service integration.

SCOPE OF WORK

• Developing the client brief
• Business case and budgets
• Technical design and planning of kitchen and café
• Concept and interior design
• Operational brief
• Coordination of service requirements
• Coordination of IT/data
• Fire strategy coordination

“Cooper8 worked with us from the very beginning and played a key role in bringing the Michelin-starred Northcote Group to the Cathedral to operate the café. Their input was invaluable.”
— Project Stakeholder