SECURITY firm Chubb has announced a multi-million pound plan to redevelop its Blackburn site – bringing the prospect of 80 new jobs.

It will demolish its existing three buildings on the Shadsworth Business Park and replace them with a high-performance campus.

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It will bring in staff from sister companies Otis, which manufactures lifts and people moving equipment, and Carrier, which makes heating, air conditioning and refrigeration products.

The new development, expected to cost more £4 million, will have 500 staff permanently based on-site.

Blackburn with Darwen council leader Kate Hollern welcomed the move.

He said: “This is a major investment by a global business and means a long-term commitment to the borough with all that entails including new jobs for residents.

“It also shows the confidence that industry-leading brands such as Chubb have in deciding to make the borough their home.

“We have worked closely with Chubb to secure this deal, which underscores the council’s commitment to working with business to deliver wider prosperity now and in the future.”

The scheme will involve the transfer of staff from existing Chubb sites in Middleton, North Manchester, and Luton in Bedfordshire.

This will start with 30 jobs moving to Blackburn later this year as the firm’s credit control function is moved to the Shadsworth site.

At least 80 news jobs are expected to be created when the facility is completed by the end of next year.

Construction will start this summer with existing employees temporarily relocated nearby, Chubb, Otis and Carrier are part of the US-based United Technologies Corporation which employs 121,00 people worldwide, generating an annual global turnover of around $29 billion.

The project, which will involve demolishing three existing Chubb buildings on the Shadsworth Business Park will result in a modern and a high-performance building offering business support functions for all three brands.

It will be the new home for Chubb Community Care and Chubb Systems, including their research and development and engineering teams.

Alastair Reynolds, managing director of Chubb Fire and Security, said: “The new office building will be equipped with advanced solutions from Chubb Fire and Security, Otis and Carrier.

“We are the world leader in building solutions, and this building will embody that distinction.

“It will be an environmentally responsible, smart and energy-efficient workplace.”