A TOWN centre clothing store aimed at young people is shutting to make way for a national fashion retailer.

Signs have gone up at the 6,500 sq ft USC outlet in The Mall Blackburn announcing its imminent closure.

The 13 staff are expected to be offered jobs at other stores for the chain, owned by Sports Direct, unless a new base in the town can be found.

Mall owner Capital & Regional has said it will try to find the firm an alternative unit in the centre.

The unnamed new tenant, described as a ‘national fashion occupier’, is expected to open in March after a refit.

The unit in Cobden Court is between Select and New Look and close to Next, Primark and H&M.

USC stocks extensive range of premium designer branded jeans, clothing and footwear, mainly aimed at the younger generation.

It has several nearby outlets including stores in Bury and the Manchester Arndale Centre.

The replacement of USC is the latest change at The Mall in the last year which has seen the loss of Waterstones bookshop, Argos and most notably its long-standing BHS outlet after the company folded

Will Blake, retail asset manager at Capital & Regional said: “We can confirm that we have exchanged an agreement for lease on 40 Cobden Court with a new national fashion occupier, taking approximately 6,500 square feet targeting an end of March opening.

“We are progressing our discussions with USC and seeking to work with them to find a suitable relocation in The Mall.”

Several firms have taken empty units in Blackburn’s flagship shopping centre in recent months including Game moving into the old Waterstones and Burger King taking over its premises.

El Taco Loco now occupies the former Country Larder store and Wilko is moving into the old BHS premises.

Muffin Break has replaced Eresso in the Mall, fast-growing national chain Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe has opened a branch in Market Way while Krispy Kreme doughnuts is arriving later this week.

Derek Hardman, regeneration spokesman for the borough council’s Tory group, said: “I hope The Mall can find a new unit for USC and we can retain its staff in the town.

“We need to be keeping existing businesses in the town not just trading new ones against ones that our closing.

“I hope The Mall can fill all its empty units.”

Mall bosses have no news on a replacement for the recently-closed Argos store.