TOWN Centre shoppers and workers can now get their first sight of how the ‘public realm’ of Blackburn’s new Cathedral Quarter will look.

Contractors have opened up a view across partially-completed paving to Queen Victoria’s statue.

The 110-year-old structure is now surrounded by scaffolding ready for her makeover, beginning on Monday.

Already one of Her Majesty’s arms has been removed and sent to a specialist stonemason for repair work, with the statue due to be ready to preside over her new realm by the end of next month.

When the granite paving is complete, planting of trees, shrubs and flowers will start next month and last through October and November The final decision is now being taken on exactly where in public areas to relocate Blackburn Town Centre’s iconic Grandmother and Child statue, removed for safe-keeping in November 2013.

Rooms in the 60-bed Premier Inn are being fitted out and the six-storey office block next door is ready for a handover at the end of September.

Work is also proceeding well on the £6 million suite of clergy accommodation and buildings complete with ‘Cloister Garden’ behind the statue.

Eric Wright Construction are fitting sensory studded pavement to the front of the Railway Station and Jubilee Street will be closed from Darwen Street to Bridge Street from August 24 for five days for resurfacing.

Work will start soon on completing the train and bus interchange outside the railway station.

Eric Wright Site Manager Steve Rawlinson said: “Works on the public realm are well under way.

“Work has started on Queen Victoria too.”

“She should be completely fully restored by the end of September. “