TRADERS and town centre officials are hoping to learn what is in store for Blackburn's shopping centre tonight.

A meeting of the Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade will update members on what owners' Standard Life's plans are in the sale of the town centre announced last week.

No prospective buyers have yet been named, but Ronnie O'Keeffe, chairman of the chamber, said it would be great for the town if a group like Peel Holdings were to buy the 1960s-built centre.

Peel are the group behind the leisure and retail park at the back of the railway station, and have brought brand names like Asda, Matalan and Wickes to the town.

"Peel Holdings have invested a lot of money in that area of the town and are working very very closely with the local authority to bring a cinema to the town," said Mr O'Keeffe.

"They are a company which is spending a lot of money in Blackburn on shopping and leisure and if they were prepared to take it on, they would do an excellent job. They are one of the groups interested in investing in Blackburn and it would be a natural progression."

Tonight's meeting will be attended by shopping centre manager Arnold Wilcox-Wood and town centre manager Paul Isherwood.

"I am hoping Arnold will be able to bring us up to date with what's happening," said Mr O'Keeffe.

Edinburgh-based investment company Standard Life bought the shopping centre in 1993.

It is the only one of six town centres it owns to be put on the market.