AN extra £200,000 is to be spent as council bosses continue with plans to redevelop Blackburn’s historic Blakey Moor.

The council has approved the £200,000 additional funding from the Local Transport Plan Fund, to finalise the works for the surrounding Jubilee Square.

The works will cover re-surfacing and street lighting pieces to help enhance the Blakey Moor Heritage Lottery Funded initiative.

The wider project aims to bring back into use the historic terrace and reinvigorate the cultural, leisure and evening economy around King George’s Hall.

Phase one of the Jubilee Square work has been completed and the next phase is due to begin in the new year once the cinema hoarding line has been reduced - with completion scheduled for April or May.

Cllr Phil Riley, executive member for growth and development, said: “This is an important piece of the jigsaw in terms of delivering this key development.

“Improving the leisure economy is one of the driving forces behind the regeneration of Blakey Moor. Attractive new public spaces are part of the new offer and they are fundamental to the whole project around that part of the town.

“King George’s Hall and the new cinema will be at the heart of the leisure economy and Blakey Moor is a key part of connecting it all together.

"If the council does not approve the additional funding, this could have a detrimental effect on the new cinema development and reduce the attractiveness for the future letting of Blakey Moor terrace and other council-owned properties in the area."

The work is expected to complete by December 2020.

Meanwhile, the council is still progressing with a £1.2m scheme which could help turn Blakey Moor into Blackburn’s version of Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

Last month, the council went out to tender on the project to redevelop the Blakey Moor Terrace in the centre of Blackburn.

The project aims to bring back into use the historic terrace and reinvigorate the cultural, leisure and evening economy around King George’s Hall by providing food and drink outlets.

Planning applications should be due around the middle of December.

Work on site would start in March with expected completion by December 2020.

As part of the scheme, the council wants to see the terrace repaired and restored to its historic design and split into two double-storey units.