A HOTEL boss believes the £70million blueprint for Blackburn's Cathed-ral Quarter will put her out of business.

Sandra Brown, of the Bear Hotel, Bolton Road, Blackburn, said she was furious at "not being consulted" before plans were unveiled for two "quality" hotels in Blackburn town centre, each with 100 beds.

Developers have confirmed a third could still be built on the site of the town's former police station in Northgate.

Council chiefs expect big name operators to be in place within a year, with work set to begin on site in 2009.

They have hailed the deal, which will end a long-running search for a town-centre hotel, as a big boost to the town's economy.

But the announcement has not been welcomed by staff at the Bear, which is two miles from Blackburn town centre.

The 22-bedroom hotel hosts weddings and functions as well as catering for visitors to the town centre.

It is near other hotels on the fringe of the town centre including the Fernhurst and the Premier Travel Inn.

Ms Brown, the hotel's administration manager, took over the hotel 10 years ago along with its current owners.

She said: "It's looking like it really will put us out of business by the time it all takes off.

"People going to shows in King George's Hall will be one of the first things we will lose.

"With another 200 beds in the town centre, people will just stay there.

"I feel a bit disappointed that we haven't been consulted.

"I was really riled when I read about the plans. And I was really annoyed about people saying there are no decent hotels in the town centre.

"We are a family business and struggling. We are going to be hit dramatically.

"It seems nobody thought about how this is going to affect us.

"The council is putting money into this scheme, but all we are getting are negatives."

Coun Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration, said quality hotel accommodation was a "key" aim of the town centre plan, and said research showed there was a big demand. He said: "We have had approaches from developers wanting to build three and four star branded hotels with 100-plus bedrooms in the town centre looking for sites.

"There is nothing comparable in the borough and the cathedral area is the perfect location, right next to the bus and railway station and within walking distance to town centre attractions such as King George's Hall."