A NEW pub is on the way to Blackburn - occupying a key site in the new-look Church Street.

The owners of Marley's Wine Bar, also on Church Street, are to open a second pub called Liquid, replacing the old Blob Shop venue.

The building is on the corner of Church Street and Lord Square, one of the main entrances to Blackburn Shopping Centre.

The Blob Shop, owned by Yates's Wine Lodge, closed at Easter and has remained boarded up ever since.

This week, shop-fitters moved in to start work on refurbishing the bar.

The unit has already received planning permission for use as a pub, but a separate licensing application will have to be submitted.

Arnold Wilcox Wood, manager of Blackburn Shopping Centre, said: "We are delighted to have filled this unit.

"It will provide another attraction for the shopping centre. The Blob Shop closed at Easter when their lease ended and they decided not to renew it.

"We are pleased that a local man, who already owns several other outlets, including Marley's, has decided to expand here."

Coun Ashley Whalley, executive member for regeneration, said: "This is an indication that Blackburn is the night-time destination in the region.

"It will complement existing establishments in the town, many of which are very similar."