A LEADING chef today pulled the plug on ambitious plans to turn a crumbling town centre building into a top-class restaurant.

Nigel Haworth co-owner of Northcote Manor, Langho, accused council bosses of ignoring him over plans to revamp the eyesore Waterloo Pavilions, Church Street, Blackburn.

He wanted to refurbish the empty block in a £1million project but today he said was fed up of not being able to speak to anyone at Blackburn with Darwen Council about the scheme.

Mr Haworth said when he had been dealing with Blackburn Cathedral -- which was set to take over the refurbishment project until the council took ownership -- he had received full co-operation.

He said: "As far as I am concerned, I have dealt with the cathedral all the way along and they have kept me informed about every detail.

"But I have not heard anything from the council so, as far as I am concerned, the whole thing is over.

"There has been absolutely no contact from the council.

"I wrote to them to say if I heard nothing I would pull out and that is what is now happening.

"The idea was to give the town something different which would attract people in who otherwise wouldn't come.

"If another building comes up, then maybe we will reconsider coming back into Blackburn, but it will have to be something special.

"I hope the council do find a good use for it.

"It needs to be something which will then create other benefits, not just a one off.

"I wish the council the best of luck with the project."

Blackburn with Darwen Council has now advertised for prospective tenants for the three buildings, which it is hoped will be the main feature of Church Street.

Mr Haworth had spent two years working with Blackburn Cathedral on plans to breathe life back into the Pavilions by creating a posh restaurant and bar.

Last year, Blackburn with Darwen Council, offered to sell the three units to the cathedral for £45,000 as long as the diocese could raise the estimated £1million it would cost to renovate.

But the cathedral had to admit defeat when the cost of the project doubled after new problems were discovered in the building.

The council then withdrew their offer to sell the buildings, and pledged to get the money itself.

Graham Burgess, executive director for regeneration and technical at the council, today said he was unaware of Mr Haworth's decision to pull out.

He said he was surprised by the restaurateur's claims because he had still been 'in the frame' for the Pavilions but that the council had advertised the project to see what other schemes may be available.

Coun Andy Kay, in charge of regeneration, said: "The council will now be leading the project through to completion.

"The cathedral have development plans for the area and will still be involved. We will build on the design and work already done as well as pursuing commercial end users to bring retail life to Church Street."

While the council will restore the buildings, all fixtures and fittings will have to be paid for by the new tenants.

The Dean of Blackburn Cathedral, the Very Reverend Christopher Armstrong, said: "Whilst we are very disappointed that the council felt the cathedral scheme for the Pavilions did not meet their criterion, we wish the council well with the project and will endeavour to continue to work with our partners in developing the precinct and its surroundings."