THE drive to fill the new office, restaurant and retail space in Blackburn’s £33 million Cathedral Quarter got under way this week when new images were released of how the town centre will look in December 2016.

The first picture of the second office block, a new plan of the whole complex complete with festival square, and an illustration of the historic cloister garden were revealed last night.

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The images accompany the steel works beginning to rise from the building site and the publication of five brochures marketing the project.

They prepare the ground for borough chief executive Harry Catherall hosting a high profile Business Breakfast for potential occupants at Blackburn Rover’s Ewood Park football ground on October 23.

He will be joined by Euro-Garages Commercial Director Ilyas Munshi for presentations selling the opportunities available to business leaders and commercial property professionals.

Graham Pilkington from developers Maple Grove and David Porter of estate agents Knight Frank will provide the detail of the scheme.

It includes the first Clergy Court and Cloister Garden for 600 years, two office blocks and a Premier Inn hotel, complete with a 3,500 square foot restaurant. There will be a second smaller food premise and other shops.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has produced three glossy brochures backed up by separate documents from Maple Grove and the Cathedral.

Borough regeneration boss Maureen Bateson said: “As the steel for the new office and hotel starts to appear this week, the council is keen to promote the opportunities available to new businesses in this flagship town centre development.

“A launch at the borough’s finest conference facilities will see business leaders, regional property professional and other parties come together.”

Mr Pilkington said: “The next phase marketing of the scheme has commenced.

“Soon, everyone will be able to get a real sense of the space that is being created.”

Cathedral Canon Andrew Hindley said: “This is really exciting. The structure will start to rise as we market this wonderful development.”

The first phase of the scheme including the first office block, clergy court and hotel will open in September next year with the second office block to follow 12 months later.