BLACKBURN has been given a jobs and entertainment boost with news that two household name companies are coming to town as part of a retail park set to create 120 jobs.

And Argos, Staples, PC World, Pets at Home and Boots the Chemist are believed to be among the frontrunners for the remaining units at Blackburn's newest retail park, with developers expect to confirm more details within the next few months.

Wickes Home Improvement Centres and Blockbuster video rental will be moving into Town's Moor Centre, on the site of the former British Gas depot between Russell Street and Great Bolton Street, facing the Ice Arena.

It has been predicted that 120 jobs will be created once the retail park opens its doors to customers with Wickes alone generating 30 jobs.

Wickes have announced that the 28,000sq ft store will open on August 28.

The site has been leased by Blackburn with Darwen Council to developers and the town hall will benefit from cash raised from rents. Councillors gave the scheme the go ahead in late 1997 saying it would be a major retail boost for the town. The project has since been incorporated into the council's overall town centre strategy alongside another retail development planned for the Lower Audley area.

Town centre traffic flows are to be altered so that the area to the south of the town centre can be made more accessible for pedestrians.

Coun Malcolm Doherty, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "It is exciting to know that this development has started to take shape because it is the first stage in the redevelopment of that side of town, which will be complete when the land behind the railway station is developed."

A spokesman for the developers Ardwood Properties said: "An announcement is likely early in the summer about the identity of the other companies who will be moving on to the site."

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