A TOWN centre coffee shop yesterday closed its doors for good after a row over rents.

Eight full-time and part-time staff at Puccino’s, King William Street, Blackburn, have been laid off after the outlet was shut down by bosses.

It is unclear whether new tenants have been found for the prime unit, in Blackburn’s main shopping street and opposite the town hall.

However, the closure of the shop was described as “very sad” and a “short-term” decision by the town’s chamber of trade leader.

Laura Johnston, who managed the coffee house, said: “It is closing because the rents are apparently too high. I am a bit surprised.”

Miss Johnston said she does not blame Puccino’s national bosses, even though the closure will hit the shop’s loyal band of customers.

She added: “Our customers are really disappointed.

"It is a nice place for them to come and there are not a lot of good coffee shops in Blackburn.

“I am sad because it is the best shop I ever worked at.

“It is not often you get a job where you wake up and look forward to work but I did here. Everyone did.”

Tony Brogdon, national operations director at Puccino’s, confirmed the Blackburn coffee shop had been shut.

However, the company’s finance director was unavailable to discuss the financial reasons behind the closure or who owns the unit.

Puccino's opened in 2002 in a former menswear store and became embroiled in a 12-month battle with Blackburn with Darwen Council after the owners were told it did not want shops to become cafes or offices.

The council backed down after a petition was collected signed by thousands of shoppers.

David Cottam, president of the Blackburn Chamber of Trade, said: “We are coming up to Christmas, when the town centre will be busy with shoppers, so this is obviously a decision by accountants.

“This is a short term decision and they have not considered that the town has come to life now.

“This is very sad news and I am sorry to hear it but we do have some very good coffee shops elsewhere in Blackburn.”