Darwen Business Exchange

12/10/2026

As a networking business community we fully support the new T-Level Programme by Aldridge Education giving young students the opportunity to make an early start in business!

An exciting opportunity for Darwen’s young people and local businesses 🤝

Following Alex Venables presentation at one of our recent Darwen Business Exchange meetings, I’m pleased to see the plans for the launch of the new T Level programme at Aldridge UTC Darwen in September 2027 progressing.

This is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen the connection between education and the local business community, giving young people the opportunity to develop valuable technical skills, gain industry experience and build relationships with businesses across the area.

The invitation to the Official Launch of Aldridge UTC Darwen has now been shared with DBE members, and it would be fantastic to see businesses attending and showing their support.

I genuinely believe this could be a significant opportunity for both young people looking to build their future careers and businesses looking to develop the workforce of tomorrow.

If you’re a local business, I would strongly encourage you to get involved and find out more.

The future of our local workforce starts with opportunities like this.

23/09/2026

Celebrating 6 months since our launch bringing together 25 different local services. We don't need to stop there as we welcome more local trades and businesses to join our network.

06/09/2026

This is a great example of how a LOCAL business pin this case SJF UK Group Ltd can support a LOCAL Darwen FC community club! 👏

SJF Electrics Proud to Stand Behind Darwen FC and the Community We Call Home

For SJF Electrics Ltd, supporting the local community is about far more than simply putting our name on a shirt or around a football ground. It is about investing in the town, its people and the organisations that bring our community together.

That is why we are incredibly proud to strengthen our support of Darwen FC, with SJF Electrics branding now proudly displayed around the ground and on the club shirt.

SJF UK Group owner and SJF Electrics Managing Director Kev Spink was born and raised in Darwen and has supported Darwen FC for more than 50 years. For Kev, seeing the SJF name alongside the club he has followed since childhood is particularly special.

When we caught up with Kev, he said:

“I’m immensely proud to be able to support Darwen FC. I was born and raised in Darwen and I’ve supported this club for over 50 years, so seeing the SJF name around the ground and on the shirt genuinely means a great deal to me.

“SJF has grown enormously over the years, but however far our engineers travel and however much the business grows, Darwen is our home. We employ local people, we work with local businesses and we believe that successful companies have a responsibility to put something back into the communities that have supported them.

“Darwen FC is part of the fabric of this town. It brings people together, creates opportunities and gives local football a place to thrive. Being in a position where SJF can play even a small part in supporting that is something I’m extremely proud of.

“For me, this isn’t just sponsorship. It’s about supporting our town, supporting local people and investing in something that matters to Darwen. To see SJF Electrics associated with a club I’ve followed for most of my life is fantastic, and I hope our relationship with Darwen FC continues to grow for many years to come.”

From our headquarters in Darwen, SJF has grown into a multidisciplinary business delivering electrical, fire, security and associated specialist solutions, but our roots remain firmly here in the town.

We believe that as SJF continues to grow, so should our commitment to giving something back.

Local business. Local people. Supporting our local community.

SJF Electrics Ltd × Darwen FC

Proud of where we came from. Proud to support Darwen.Darwen FC

13/08/2026

09/08/2026

Our September event will be held at the Darwen Heritage Centre on Wednesday, 16 Sept at 5pm. Hosted by Anne Holden who will be joined by Albert Gavagan, Trustee and Secretary of the Heritage Centre. Albert has also kindly offered to tell us a little more about the Centre which recently was awarded Museum status by the Arts Council. Of course there will also be plenty of opportunity to network and catchup with your fellow members. None member businesses are most welcome to join us.

16/07/2026

Another fantastic event yesterday at the Salmoners Lounge, Darwen FC, where we hosted our first Speed Networking Session!
It was a fast-paced, high-energy event that brought our members even closer together, with local businesses building stronger partnerships, sharing ideas, and identifying new opportunities to support one another. Together, we're continuing to strengthen and develop our local business community.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended for your enthusiasm, positivity, and active participation. Yesterday's meeting once again proved that Together We Are Stronger!
We'll be taking a short break over the summer holidays, but we'll be back in the second half of September at a different and exciting venue. Full details will be announced very soon – watch this space!
If you're a local business based in Darwen or the immediate surrounding area and enjoy networking, we'd love to welcome you to our group. Membership is completely free, and it's a great opportunity to build relationships, share ideas, and support other local businesses. For more information, email us at [email protected].

29/06/2026

Our next event will be very exciting and fast moving! 😉
Local businesses are very welcome to join. See details below.

24/06/2026

Today we held our 4th event at Darwen FC. Thank you to all DBE members who attended and a very special thank you to Alex Venables, Head of Schools, for his excellent presentation about the great work he and his team are doing to support the students at D6 - Darwen Aldridge Sixth Form . The T-Level program they are offering their students deserves the full support from our local business community. 👏
Our next event will be on Wednesday, 15 July at 17:00hrs.

21/06/2026

Any local business still wishing to join the event on Wednesday, 24 June at 17:00hrs, will be more than welcome!

Darwen sixth form partners with businesses to help students gain work experience and tackle skills shortages in the area.

20/06/2026

Great coverage in the Lancashire Telegraph today of our partnership with D6 (Darwen 6th Form). Any local business wishing to join us for our event on Wednesday, 24 June at 17:00hrs, will be more than welcome as guests, and perhaps register to join our FREE business network.

Darwen sixth form partners with businesses to help students gain work experience and tackle skills shortages in the area.