RENOVATION work which has already begun on the site of Accrington's old Karrimor building was today due to get the thumbs up from councillors.

The development company behind the scheme, Magenta Holdings Ltd, of Great Harwood, began work last month.

Remedial and repair work is being carried out in anticipation of a planning application made to Hyndburn Council for permission for change of use within the four-storey building being granted.

That change of use permission - from general industrial, to retail on the ground floor and offices on the three floors above - is expected to be given at a meeting of the development control committee tonight.

The Eastgate building has been empty since 1989.

In a report to the meeting, chief planning officer Brendan Lyons says the council should stipulate that the retail use be restricted to non-food. He said: "This would have the aim of attracting joint or linked trips from the town centre on foot.

"The retail element is also proposed to have limited hours of opening to prevent congestion and conflict for on-street parking."

The developers have previously said they are confident they can fill the three floors of offices and have already received a lot of interest through word of mouth alone.