THE closure revealed today of long-established Carrs the Jewellers in Blackburn -- the second such family business in three weeks to announce it is pulling out of the town centre -- is more than just the sad departure of a familiar independent trader, of whom there were once many.

For its loss -- blamed by the owner on high rents and custom being attracted out of Blackburn by rival retail developments -- amounts to a clear warning to the council to press ahead urgently with reviving the town centre.

True, there is an extensive range of new retail and leisure schemes aimed at boosting the town-centre economy -- many ambitious and exciting and worth more £40million in total.

But these are all on paper.

Some still lack the commitment of developers. And all could take years to accomplish.

What is clearly signalled by Blackburn's rash of empty shops and by the loss of traditional family retailers is that action is needed now -- in advance of these grand plans.

Otherwise, the danger is that the town centre -- already slipping behind Burnley in the High Street league table and facing fierce competition for the car-borne shoppers' money from retail developments with free parking -- will slip further downhill and the regeneration schemes in the pipeline will commence the task of revival from a much worse position.

What can be quickly and positively in the meantime?

For a start, top priority should be given to cleaning up and improving Lord Square. It is a major gateway to the town's shopping precinct, but remains a depressing eyesore of neglect and empty shops.

And since it impinges directly on Church Street -- the £11-million redevelopment of which is a key factor in the council's town-centre regeneration plans -- it is an area that cannot be allowed to decline still further.

And as there is evidence that Blackburn is proving unattractive to shoppers who come by car, might the council dare to make them more welcome by offering, if only for limited periods, free parking?