THE demolition of a business centre in Blackburn, to be replaced by temporary car parks, has prompted concern among retail leaders.

Borough council bosses have earmarked the former Simmons Street hub and the old Velvet Lounge lap-dancing club for the bulldozers. Once cleared the land would link in with a number of public and private car parks in the area.

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But Phil Ainsworth, a town centre jeweller and Blackburn BID (Business Improvement District) board member, is concerned more retail space is being lost with the demolition.

He said: “While it’s not the nicest of buildings, and certainly a lot of money would need to be spent on it, it is a shame that we are losing more properties with the potential for retail, to make way for more car parking.

"We have got enough parking in the middle of Blackburn at the moment. It’s retail opportunities that we need.”

He hoped the land will eventually house a development which would create chances of independent traders to flourish in the town centre. The borough council has held a long lease on part of the site since 2009.

Plans for a new East Lancashire courthouse, suggested around time for the wider site, failed to materialise. Councillors then agreed to buy the club premises and the business centre at 1-7 Simmons Street in November 2014.

Before the club demolition could be agreed, the authority had to satisfy experts there were no bats roosting in the dilapidated building.

Ecologist Claire Wilson said: “The risk of impacts to bats within the site is considered to be low or negligible on completion of the survey.”

Planning agent Wendy Penman said: “The number of car parking spaces depends on the layout although a minimum of 70 is expected to be created.”