BLACKBURN Rovers are set to open a new club shop opposite the town’s new market.

Club bosses have revealed they are moving into the Church Street building which currently houses the town's visitor centre and the Rhubarb Cafe.

The new store will also have a licensed cafe, TV screens and an outdoor seating area.

As a result of the changes, the visitor centre will move into the Salford building formerly used by the town hall’s environment department.

Rhubarb Cafe, which has been run by the local Bootstrap Enterprises group, will close.

The club’s managing director Tom Finn said the move emphasised its ‘long-term commitment to the town centre’.

Last year Rovers opened Oneroverstore in the Mall shopping centre – but now it is relocating to the bigger building.

Mr Finn, who promised a ‘quality food and drink outlet’, added: “It is an even bigger, even better store in a superior location.

"Getting a presence in the town centre has proved a massive plus and this move takes things a stage further.

“We have major plans for the site, not least the catering aspect, and believe it can enhance the major improvements currently taking place.”

The new store, which will also sell match tickets, will open on August 2, around the same time as the new Primark store that will be the centrepiece of the £66million shopping centre.

The row of shops know as the Pavilions are owned by the council, which restored them four years ago.

The new arrangement will generate a better return in rent for the town hall, although that is not thought to be the reason for the switch.

Coun Alan Cottam, the town hall’s regeneration chief, said the new market and shopping centre would lead to a ‘population explosion’ in Church Street, claiming many shoppers would use both the market and the new Rovers store.

He added: “It is a very shrewd move”.