A SHOPPING centre manager has retired after steering the complex through the largest overhaul in its history.

Arnold Wilcox-Wood, 61, took over as the general manager of the Blackburn centre in 2000, when it was run by Standard Life.

Recently the centre became The Mall, when it was taken over by its new London-based owners, and last week planning permission was finally given by Blackburn with Darwen Council for a sweeping regeneration scheme.

Yesterday was Mr Wilcox-Wood's final day working in the landmark Blackburn building, but he has admitted his retirement was likely to be anything but quiet.

He said: "Looking after Blackburn with its 650,000 square feet is a hands-on role, getting your hands dirty if you need to.

"We have got great things happening. I am pleased I am here to make sure we have got planning permission for the redevelopment which will really put Blackburn on the map. I am very very pleased for the centre and Blackburn that at long last we are now going to see some action round about the end of summer. By the time we come to Christmas 2008 we will be up and running.

"The centre belongs to its community, and it's essential that the shopping centre becomes the heart and soul of the community."

Six years after taking on the position, Mr Wilcox-Wood now oversees a centre with 72 staff and 17 million customers each year among the top figures in the country. Under his guidance only two of the centre's 139 units are currently unfilled by retailers.

The married father-of-two, who lives on a sheep farm worked by his wife Shirley in Rossendale, is now the vice-president of Blackburn with Darwen Chamber of Trade, and sits on the Blackburn town centre partnership and Blackburn regeneration boards.

He plans to carry on working within the commercial industry on his retirement as a a consultant.

But he said: "I shall certainly miss The Mall, especially the staff, retailers and customers I have come to know very very well. But as one door closes another will open. I hope to be employed in some consultancy capacity."

And he can look back on some funny times as well as the pressure of running a big business.

He said: "A few years ago we entered a float in a carnival in Blackburn. The maintenance team decorated a float which contained 5,000 balloons in a keep-net on the top of the vehicle.

"Just as we got on to the highway to join the parade there was a sudden squall and the 5,000 balloons and decor-ations which took two days to assemble were destroyed.

"We didn't find it funny at the time but the have laughed about it ever since."