AN AWARD-winning interior designer could face legal action after leaving his shop in Blackburn town centre.

John Wilman has closed Pavilion Interiors in Church Street and Blackburn with Darwen Council bosses say he still owes them rent.

Mr Wilman had previously denied the upmarket store - which sold aga cookers for thousands of pounds - was out of touch with in Blackburn, despite admitting business had been poor.

But today the store is locked and almost empty.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's strategic director for regeneration and environment Adam Scott said: "Unfortunately the idea for a new business has not been successful and he has now left the shop. We are taking legal advice in terms of recovering any monies that is owed."

Council bosses will now search for a new tenant for the building, part of the flagship Pavilions development opposite Blackburn's shopping centre, which is currently being rebuilt.

Mr Scott added: "The shop is in a prime location, particularly once the development of the Mall is complete, and we are confident that we will be successful in reletting it."

The three Grade II-listed pavilions had stood derelict for more than 20 years before being done up at a cost of £1.4million in 2004.

The other two are occupied by Alan Rene Hair and Beauty Salon and Cafe Beees.

Alan Rene was given a rent reduction to stay in the premises because of the disruption caused by the town centre roadworks, but council bosses refused to reveal whether all the stores paid a reduced rate.

Mr Wilman, dubbed East Lancashire's king of wallpaper', rose from a 15-year-old apprentice to become part-owner of the Coloroll brand, which once employed 1,000 people in Nelson and Burnley.

In October he admitted business had not been good, which he blamed partly on the town-centre building work, and last month store manager Joanne McMillan admitted not a single kitchen had been sold since the store opened in September.

But she said removal vans were taking away the shop's kitchen stock and replacing it with bathroom equipment, which was proving a better seller.

Blackburn Chamber of Trade chairman David Cottam said: "It was a bit upmarket, but I admire him for wanting to put something like that in Blackburn.

"We do need something of quality in the town, and I am really saddened this didn't work out."

Mr Wilman could not be contacted for a comment.