WORK to repair a historic building at the heart of a flagship regeneration area is due to get under way in the summer.

Last month the Lancashire Telegraph revealed that a structural beam in Alan Rene hair design, Waterloo Pavilions, Church Street, Blackburn, was rotting and needed replacing.

We also reported how Alan Rene was being given a substantial rent reduction to stay in the premise, because of the delays in revamping the mall fronting Church Street.

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration, said: "We applied for Listed Building Consent last month for the work needed on the beam.

"It will take up to 16 weeks for this to be passed by the council's planning and building control departments.

"As soon as we get the go ahead from the various departments tenders will be sent out with a return date of mid-April.

"The work should take about 10 days to complete and we are looking at June or July for this to be carried out."