THE new office block in Blackburn’s flagship £34 million Cathedral Quarter has its first tenant, bringing sweet treats to the town centre.

The coffee shop and dessert bar called BB1 Central will open on the ground level in April.

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Employing five staff, it will sell a selection of coffees and hot drinks, gelato-style ice creams, waffles, crepes and other sweet treats.

It is the brainchild of 36-year-old Nighat Anwar, who is hoping for a hot summer to get her enterprise off to a sunny start.

She and brother Awais own the railway station coffee bar opposite the office block.

This year they hope to open a new Subway outlet at the station.

The coffee shop is the first let at the new One Cathedral Square block, which has five floors of grade-A office space. Hopes are high that occupants for some of the 28,127 sq ft on offer will be confirmed soon.

The coffee and dessert bar will be open until 8pm on weekdays and later on weekends, fitting in with borough-council plans to revive Blackburn town-centre nightlife with five restaurants and other eating and drinking venues.

Ms Anwar, of Preston New Road, said: “This is a very exciting opportunity.

“I have shown a keen interest in this location from a very early stage as I believe Blackburn town centre craves an all-exclusive ice cream and dessert cafe.

“It will complement rather than compete with the Subway development in the railway station.

“I hope to open early summer and look forward to welcoming commuters and locals to the venue.

“The cafe will cater for a variety of dietary requirements including sugar-free and gluten-free options.

“I am hoping for a good, hot summer when people want to eat ice creams in the sun.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council regeneration boss Phil Riley said: “The new cafe will be a fantastic addition to the development and I hope our residents will support it."