BLACKBURN’S new £34million Cathedral Quarter is ‘transforming the town before our very eyes’, Jack Straw said as he opened the £9million office block at the development’s heart.

He and Bishop Julian Henderson hailed the ‘city feel’ the nearly finished complex, complete with new hotel and clergy court, was generating.

The official opening of the six-storey One Cathedral Square office block yesterday was attended by politicians, businessmen, building workers and Thwaites brewery dray horses ‘Wainwright and Bomber’.

Blackburn with Darwen Council chief executive Harry Catherall revealed interest in leasing the 28,000 square foot office block now exceeded the space available.

Already the Premier Inn next door is open for business with bookings above expectations, the main public garden areas are open for pedestrians and the historic suite of clergy accommodation with cloister garden are on track for completion before Christmas.

Mr Straw, who stood down as Blackburn MP in May, said: “There is a real city feel to the town centre now with this magnificent development.

“The old Boulevard was fine as a tram station but was very, very tired.

“Officially opening this fantastic office block is a good postscript to my time as MP.

“Blackburn and the borough are going to be great. I am full of hope.”

Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Henderson, said: “This is a wonderful regeneration of Blackburn.

“It is now a town with a cathedral and the feel of a city.”

Steve Rawlinson, site manager for Eric Wright Construction, said: “This is a thrilling day after a lot of effort by the hundreds of staff who have worked here.”

John Carney, who oversaw the civil engineering work preparing the site, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be here.”

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Mike Damms said: “This is a magnificent development which which will bring people and businesses to Blackburn and make the town a real asset to the area.”