THE first phase of a multi-million-pound retail and community development, which is set to create about 20 new jobs in Blackburn, is now complete.

Yesterday, the £4 million Shadsworth Community Hub and Enterprise Centre was unveiled in Rothesay Road, which has five shops on the ground floor and community facilities above.

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Heron Foods, The Harbour chip shop and Best One convenience store are among the shops on the ground floor, and community rooms upstairs are set to be used for activities such as cookery training, IT classes, arts and crafts for children and space for local groups to use for meetings and events.

The hub has replaced a community centre on the site, which was demolished last year.

Kevin Ruth, Together Housing group deputy chief executive, said the new centre would provide a “wealth of new opportunities” for Shadsworth.

He said: “This project is a major boost for Shadsworth.

“The new community hub will give people access to services and advice to help them realise the potential, and the new homes will give more families access to quality, affordable housing on one of our most popular estates.

“Also, the new shops have provided jobs to people from the area and a boost to the local economy.

“It’s a real win for Shadsworth.”

Twin Valley Homes, part of the Together Housing Group, along with Keepmoat and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, are working together to provide new housing and business opportunities in the area.

The second phase of the development is now under way, with 20 new homes for affordable rent being built in Rothesay Road, Ayr Road and Ballantree Road, which are expected to be ready early next year.

Blackburn mayor Cllr Hussain Akhtar cut the ribbon, surrounded by special guests including Blackburn with Darwen Council regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley and council leader Cllr Mohammed Khan.

Cllr Damian Talbot, the council’s leisure boss, said: “This is a really exciting development for Shadsworth, its residents and people across the borough, who are all welcome to use the great new facilities. “It’s a superb building with so much under one roof.”

Cllr Khan said: “The Shadsworth Hub is a great new facility and the housing development is also coming along.

“This is really good news for the area.”