THE long-awaited demolition of a derelict building in Blackburn is set to begin this week.

The Exchange Building, once the home of council offices including the children’s services headquarters, will be flattened to make way for new a development.

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Council bosses said the demolition will take 22 weeks and lead to the closure of Ainsworth Street from Brown Street for the full duration.

A diversion will be put in place directing motorists through the old temporary bus station.

Blackburn with Darwen Council bought the building between the old market site and the town hall two years ago to boost its chances of luring a flagship upmarket shopping development.

Cllr Phil Riley, regeneration boss, said that the road closure will be a minor inconvenience to people but the demolition will mean so much more.

He said: “The demolition will create a large space which we can then market along with the former temporary bus station.

“We are not looking for anything specific to go in the space at the minute but we are in conversation with marketing companies about the right way of selling it.

“We could not demolish it any earlier than this because we had to wait for the bus station to be finished so that the whole are could be cordoned off.

“The demolition will be the start of more regeneration in the centre of Blackburn which will be very positive.”

In 2014 the council’s executive board approved buying out the long lease held by Bluemantle for the Exchange building.

Cllr Andy Kay, finance boss, and former regeneration boss Cllr Maureen Bateson both felt that what goes in place of the building should be a ‘quality’ company, rather than a discount store such as Aldi or Lidl.

Firms approached in the past to go on the vacant land have included Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose and Booths and non-food retailers, such as John Lewis were also in the frame.

Cllr John Slater said he was concerned about how long it was taking due to the bus station being delayed, but is now pleased things are moving forward.

He said: “The bus station took so long that it created problems with the demolition of this building but now it’s getting started I fully welcome it.

“Anything that brings positive regeneration to the town is always good in my eyes and hopefully we can start bringing more people in with a new retailer or business.”It is hoped that the new development will eventually complement the £34million Cathedral Quarter site and the new bus station.