Drunks 'won't spoil cafe culture'

1:42pm Monday 12th May 2008

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BOSSES insist Blackburn Cathedral grounds can be rid of drunks and turned into an area of "cafe culture".

Last week drunken yobs caused outrage by flouting an alcohol ban in the town centre and openly drinking in the Cathedral grounds.

Plans are underway for the £70 million development of the Cathedral Quarter, which will create 135 flats, shops, restaurants and two hotels in the area. Work is set to begin on site in 2009.

Fleming Square hairdresser Jeff Stone, who said he used his shop alarm on Wednesday to ward off rowdy people from his steps, said: "The sight would put off any potential investor, mark my words."

But the Dean of Blackburn, the Very Rev Christopher Armstrong, said his "vision" for the area could be a reality.

He said: "Towns are built for human beings, not for police cars or aggressive marketing. We need to encourage people to come and look in the town centre.

"I think it will change. I think the night time scene will shift when people start to move in to the town centre - these things are always changing."

Mr Armstrong said the majority of people relaxing in the cathedral grounds did not cause any trouble.

He added: "They are mainly young people, and we find them generally to be very polite. Our attitude towards them is one of welcome."

Council leader Colin Rigby said the Cathedral Quarter development and Blackburn's new £66million shopping centre would change the face of the town centre.