[2][3] In late 1776, a handloom weavers shop in Rishton, belonging to Thomas Duxbury may have been the first place that the cotton cloth calico was woven for sale in Great Britain.

Rishton currently has five elected representatives on the local authorities, all of whom are Labour: two County Councillors (Miles Parkinson and Jenny Molineux) and three Borough Councillors (Michael Miller, Jeff Scales, Kate Walsh).

[11] In the 19th century, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal was a major transport route in the area.

[13] The East Lancashire Railway, which was opened in 1848, crossed the reservoir on a viaduct until 1858; it is now on an embankment.

[14] Rishton railway station, south west of the town centre, is on the East Lancashire line.

As of 2018, the route is operated by Northern, and consists of one train per hour between Blackpool South and Colne.

Other former professionals include former England coach Duncan Fletcher, Michael Holding (former West Indies international), Aussie fast bowler Jason Gillespie, former South African cricket captain Allan Donald and Sri Lankan right-handed batsman and right arm offbreak bowler Kumar Dharmasena.

The football club is currently developing its own ground known as the Primtetime Project located next to the canal behind Hyndburn Academy.

[15] East Lancashire Sailing Club is based at the reservoir, and is a RYA Recognised Training Centre.

The facilities at Cutwood Park, between Blackburn Road and the reservoir include a football pitch and a children's playground.