THE billionaire Issa brothers have put their former EG Group head office building in Blackburn out to rent.

The move follows the opening of the firm’s new headquarters on the opposite side of Haslingden Road.

The decision by Mohsin and Zuber Issa to let rather than sell the building has been welcomed by Blackburn with Darwen Council growth boss Cllr Phil Riley as perfect for expanding local businesses to relocate.

The 15,155 square foot Grade A premises will be let at £14 a square foot per year bringing in an annual rental income of £212,170 .

Blackburn-based estate agents Trevor Dawson will handle the marketing of the office block.

It has a central reception area with open-plan offices in each wing of the building and an executive suite with boardroom on the second floor

This month the brothers clinched a £6.8bn deal to take over supermarket giant Asda.

In August the brothers’ EG Group moved into a new £35m four-storey headquarters across the road from their old one leaving the building, constructed in 2010, vacant.

It will now be let either as a whole or on a floor-by-floor basis from 4,133 sq. ft. to 15,155 sq. ft. in total.

The building has a car park for approximately 110 cars.

Caroline James, managing director of Trevor Dawson said: “This is a unique opportunity.

“These offices are excellent with a car park for more than 100 vehicles.

“They would be ideal for an expanding company in East Lancashire, or indeed the North-West, looking for a new high-class headquarters.

“I am confident we will be able to let the office block.”

Cllr Riley said: “I am pleased the brothers are letting this building rather than selling it.

“It is a great location for an expanding business in the borough or for one looking to move into the borough in what is an increasingly important business corridor.”

The Issa brothers grew up in the Brookhouse area of Blackburn and in 2001 founded Euro-Garages following the acquisition of a single petrol station in Bury.

The company, now the EG Group, operates nearly 6,000 sites across 10 countries, while the brothers interests now include hotels and the Asda retail giant.

The building for let is fully air-conditioned throughout and includes a prayer room off the main reception.