WORK on a £3million upgrade at Blackburn’s The Mall shopping centre, bringing a 24-hour gym, new shops and a grand entrance, is on target for opening in the spring.

The Ainsworth Mall entrance is currently closed during works which will see a completely refurbished shopping area.

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As part of the scheme, national chain PureGym will take up 16,000 square feet over two floors for a health and fitness suite which will be open 24 hours a day.

The 20,000 sq ft transformation of Ainsworth Mall will also be home to three new retail units, as well as an additional entrance to the centre complete with escalators, lift and stair access and two new cashpoints.

Another 10 existing retail units will be converted to create the premises operated by PureGym which is expected to create several new jobs.

The latest phase in development comes after a busy summer at The Mall, with high profile names including Swarovski, Ed’s Diner, Subway and Rhode Island Coffee all setting up shop and adding to the centre’s existing retail and leisure offering.

The Mall Blackburn general manager Loraine Jones said: “It is an extremely exciting time for us as we see this fantastic new development taking shape.

“The 24-hour opening of Pure Gym will be perfect for those who work long hours or who have children and find it difficult to find the time to exercise.

“We have had a brilliant summer with some fabulous retailers coming on board.

“We are now preparing for the festive season and looking forward to unveiling this new development next spring. “ The Ainsworth Mall entrance is currently closed during works and shoppers can gain access to The Mall via Ainsworth Street B&M escalator, Blackburn Market and Tackett Street County Court entrance.

To exit The Mall onto Church Street or Ainsworth Street shoppers can use the doors at Church Street, County Court via Tackett Street or Blackburn Market.

The new gym will feature more than 220 pieces of fitness equipment, as well as more than 50 free classes per week.

The new entrance goes hand-in-hand with the delayed new bus station and Cathedral Quarter developments as the town centre undergoes a massive multi-million pound facelift.