The Soccerdome in Blackburn is set to re-open in the summer we can reveal.

In March, Power League who managed the Soccerdome off Haslingdon Road, announced they would not be re-opening.

It came a major blow for footballers who had used the five-a-side venue for many years. The venue was used also by a number of small community clubs on weekends and hosted various small-sided leagues.

Now, a new long-term lease has been signed by owners from Batley who said they were delighted to be able to open the pitches once again.

A spokesperson for Street Soccer who have taken over the venue said: “It is wonderful to be re-opening the Blackburn Soccerdome. “People were devastated when the venue closed. There is certainly a real demand for pitch hire in the area and people are really into their football.

“We have not had to make many changes to the interior. We have spent money on changing the lights and updated them to LED ones as those ones were very old and needed replacing.

“There in total seven pitches at the venue. But much of the interior is as it was.”

The Soccerdome was set to open on June 21 but will now welcome back players on July 19 in line with the lifting of government restrictions. Indoor football for adults has not been permitted since the lockdown began last March and the new management will be hoping to benefit from the pent up demand.

The café area situated at the Soccerdome is set to remain closed for now but will reopen as a major food area in the future.

The Trampoline centre ‘Flip Out’ is run separately and has been taking bookings as normal since Covid restrictions were eased.

Blackburn with Darwen's Executive Member for Wellbeing, Cllr Damian Talbot, said: “I'm pleased to hear this news. I know that there was a lot of disappointment when the closure was announced. This will certainly help to provide further capacity for indoor football in Blackburn and I know will benefit a wider area as well”.

Soccerdome which opened in 2005 had been home to Powerleague since 2013.

Powerleague said when they closed that the parent company which owns the Soccerdome site had gone into administration and as sub-tenants they have been asked to leave. Anyone wanting further information on bookings can e-mail: info@soccerdome.co.uk