A SHOPKEEPER whose store has been earmarked for demolition says his business has been ruined.

Council bosses say S&A General Store, Mosley Street, Blackburn, is included in the housing market renewal clearance area.

All of the surrounding buildings are boarded up ahead of demolition and eventual regeneration of the Infirmary area.

Shop owner Mohammed Arif spoke out after the last person left living in Highfield Road, Daniel Hillary, said he was defying the council and refusing to move. Mr Arif, who lives above his shop, said: “I have been here since 1979 and over the last three years I have lost all my business.

“It’s a nightmare hav-ing the work going on all around. They start at 5am and it sounds like it’s in my bedroom.

“I have lost all my business in the past three years. Once I would have had turnover of £5,000 a month – but now it’s down to £40 a week.”

Mr Arif gave his support to Mr Hillary’s battle to stay in his home in nearby Highfield Road, adding: “He is fighting for his right and I think it’s the right thing to do.”

Sayyed Osman, direc-tor of neighbourhoods, housing and customer services, said: "The grocery store is included in the declared Alaska Street clearance area and the council is in detailed negotiations with the owner. Agreement has already been reached on the value for the property and we are now seeking to agree the appropriate level of disturbance payment.

“Work has already started in the Alaska Street area to demolish those blocks where the council owns all the properties.

“And it will continue as blocks of properties come into its ownership.”