THE manager of Blackburn Shopping Centre today called for more to be done to keep Church Street full of shoppers.

Arnold Wilcox-Wood spoke out as he revealed that July's footfall through the shopping centre, which cuts across the town centre, was up 16 per cent -- or 49,000 -- on last year.

The £2.6million pedestrianisation of Church Street was completed last year and while it has created a pedestrian haven, traders have expressed concern at how quiet it has become.

Several shop units are empty and the restoration of the Waterloo Pavilions -- set to become the flagship building on Church Street -- won't be completed until the end of the year.

The rise in the number of pedestrians -- gauged by 'head counts' of shoppers by centre staff and analysing car park revenues -- has been hailed as particularly good in the light of the recent heatwave, which usually keeps shoppers at home.

Mr Wilcox-Wood said the fact that a lot of people were opting to stay at home rather than travel abroad because of the war in Iraq and the threat of global terrorism could be responsible for the rise.

And he added: "We have just had the Blackburn holidays and, judging by the number of people coming through the shopping centre, a lot of people have opted to stay at home because of things like the war.

"But what we have noticed is the difference having activity on Church Street has made. Things like the market attract more people into the shopping centre as well.

"I think the figures demonstrate it is important that something is done to Church Street to get more people using it."

Council bosses say work being carried out in Church Street should draw even more shoppers back to the area.

Coun Andy Kay, in charge of regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "The work on Church Street is designed to get people walking around the town centre more easily.

"The events held on Church Street, such as the markets, helped bring more people on to the street and when the Pavilions are completed and filled, which we are confident they will be, we feel more businesses will follow suit."

He added: "Hopefully, the regeneration of Church Street will lead to work on Lord Square, which is owned by the shopping centre."

Blackburn Shopping Centre was bought by a new company, Reit Asset Management, in June and they have pledged to invest in the shopping centre.