Eating in One of Britain's Most Racially Segregated Towns
Census data shows that white and Asian residents of Blackburn, Lancashire are becoming increasingly divided. I visited restaurants and shops in its “Asian quarter” to find out how a council regeneration scheme is forging links between the communities.
It's Wednesday evening and the Turtle Bay opposite Blackburn railway station is so busy that it takes half an hour to get a drink. Having visited branches of the Caribbean restaurant chain in nearby Manchester and Preston, I'm not surprised by its popularity, but taken aback by the demographic—the patrons here are all white.According to a recent Guardian article, the Lancashire town of Blackburn is one of the most racially segregated places in Britain. Whalley Range (a neighbourhood just ten-minute's walk from Turtle Bay) has reportedly 95 percent Pakistani and Indian residents; and is home to a number of halal butchers, curry houses, South Asian confectioners, and shops. Blackburn Council describes this "Asian quarter" as as a rival to Manchester's Curry Mile—the popular strip of eateries that runs through the city's Rusholme neighbourhood.
Blackburn, Lancashire. All photos by Akash Khadka.
Ten years ago, Whalley Range was the subject of a major council regeneration project. As well as boosting the local economy, the scheme was hoped to foster relations between Blackburn's Asian community and prevent the "white flight" evident in some of the town's neighbourhoods. Blackburn and Darwen Council senior communications officer Kate tells me: "It was about improving physical links between town centre core and Whalley Range area through highways improvements, pedestrian links, signage, visibility, and marketing."Read more on MUNCHIES.
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