AN Italian restaurant which opened at the end of November shut permanently yesterday.

Gioia Italiano in Church Street in the former Blackburn Rovers store promised a 'relaxed atmosphere' and 23 new jobs.

The 70-diner eaterie shut its doors earlier this week with a sign saying 'Closed temporarily for refurbishment'.

Director Mike Hajewskyj said he was intending to upgrade the interior and move the bar to the side of the restaurant.

The premises were last week cleared of tables, chairs and equipment.

Yesterday its Facebook and Twitter accounts were taken down and the message 'Permanently closed' appeared on its website link.

Cllr Phil Riley, regeneration boss at Blackburn with Darwen Council which owns the premises, said: “It’s a shame because we obviously want all the new bars and restaurants opening up in Blackburn town centre to be successful. The owners took on a huge space and it was always going to be change.”

Cllr John Slater said: "It's sad when a businesses closes and jobs are lost.

"I think it is a reality check for the borough council about the regeneration of Blackburn town centre nightlife.

"It can only sustain so many bars, pubs and restaurants.

"It seems to lack the vibrancy of Darwen town centre."

Mr Hajewskyj, a former mechanical engineer was unavailable for comment yesterday despite several attempts by the Lancashire Telegraph to contact him.

As well as a full restaurant, Gioia has a quick service deli counter, a wine bar and a children’s play area.

When it opened six months ago Gioia Italiano was hailed as the latest addition to Blackburn town centres reviving night-time economy following the opening of the A Mano Italian restaurant and Caribbean cuisine specialist Turtle Bay.

Several new bars have also opened in Blackburn recently while Pitchers pub in Salford is to become a luxury burger restaurant while a new dessert restaurant is promised for the former El Greco's coffee bar in Church Street.