NEWS that Blackburn Shopping Centre has been sold brings with it renewed hope for rejuvenation that is so sorely needed.

Regeneration chief Coun Andy Kay says he has "reason to be more optimistic than ever before" that something will be done about Lord Square and that preliminary plans have been drawn up "to enhance the Blackburn shopping experience."

Purchasers Reit Asset Management fall short of giving a specific commitment to remove the eyesore but say they are "aware of the opportunity that Lord Square provides" and will be carrying out "a full appraisal of the development opportunity."

Unless you were privy to the discussions that have taken place between the two parties it is difficult to know precisely how good the new owners are likely to be for the future of this vital economic hub.

What is clear is that Standard Life were the wrong owners.

The cautious nature of their core business prevented them from speculating on the town's future.

The new owners, who make their money by buying, improving and selling on retail complexes, don't face such a barrier and that's a real advantage.

Top of their agenda must be the complete renovation of Lord Square.

Some of the ideas being bandied about last week are interesting and the optimism coming out of the Town Hall is encouraging. But the proof of the pudding will be not what's talked about but what's actually done.

We will be watching and monitoring that very closely because all of our futures hinge on having a vibrant shopping centre that we can all be proud of.