THE gardens and paving surrounding Blackburn’s iconic statue of Queen Victoria are now being laid.

Premier Inn’s decorators are fitting out the 60-bedroom hotel — and the upper floors of the neighbouring office block are ready for occupation.

Passers-by can see the future as a team of six experts from Portugal complete the specialist paving on the courtyard fronting the tall glass-fronted buildings.

The Premier Inn was handed over on time last month — and fitting out of the bedrooms and public Thyme Restaurant is on schedule for a November 9 opening. The lighting columns at its side and in front will brighten up the evenings within two weeks, giving a taste of the final atmosphere which will illuminate Blackburn town centre as dusk falls.

Final snag removal and painting inside the office block is nearly complete, with the upper floors carpeted and decorated for the growing number of potential tenants to visit. Before the end of the month, more turf, flowers, shrubs and new young trees will join their protected older sisters around the cathedral.

The clergy accommodation and cloister garden being constructed next door by church authorities has caught up a fortnight on its 12-week backlog for completion in time for Christmas, to christen Blackburn’s long-awaited new central quarter. The public-transport interchange opposite the railway station is virtually complete for an early December start. Tuesday sees the return of the lovingly restored arm and hand to the gleaming 110-year-old marble statue of Queen Victoria overlooking the development.

Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen regeneration boss, said: “This is a fantastic development with wonderful new public space which has gone remarkably smoothly.”

Clare Turner, Borough Cathedral Quarter manager, said: “We have had a lot of interest. Next month there will be a push to sign up the right tenants for these wonderful offices.”