A PRIME store on Blackburn's £2million revamped Church Street is available after a major chain went into liquidation.

Famous Army Stores has gone into receivership leaving the spot without a tenant.

Council chiefs today expressed disappointment at the situation but said that commercial reasons prevented them from revealing how the empty store would be filled.

And a replacement tenant cannot be found for the 2,400 sq ft of space until the "lengthy process" of dealing with the bankrupt business is sorted out.

Ashley Whalley, executive member for regeneration said: "We are always disappointed when a store has to close but this will provide a prime opportunity for a new business.

"Church Street will, of course, be an area that many businesses are interested in."

Richard England, of Standard Life, who own the shopping centre, said: "This is not an ideal situation but it is one of the things that happens in business.

"No move can be made on finding a replacement tenant until the receivership claims are taken care of and this is usually a very lengthy process."

Five jobs were lost on the closure of Famous Army Stores, which closed on January 7.

The company was placed in administration under Roger Marsh, Michael Horrocks and Russell Cash of Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

A spokesman for the administrators said: "The appointment followed increased competition in the outdoor leisure sector, which was further exacerbated during 2001 by foot and mouth disease."

There was no specific agreement for staff re-employment when the company hit financial difficulty.

There are 11 businesses operating in the pedestrian part of Church Street but only one other high street retail store, TJ Hughes.

Neighbouring business owners and traders are disappointed with the situation.

Owner of clothes shop Wo-man Joanne Helm, said: "I think the redevelopment is superb and it looks really good.

"It is a real shame and very sad that such a prominent site will be vacant for a long time after they have invested so much time and energy."