Preston Police say they do not know when the Fishergate Shopping Centre in Preston will reopen.
AdvertisementA suspicious device was found in the shopping centre on Thursday morning, understood to have been in a bin.
The device has gone off but police say it has not caused damage or injuries.
Update: Device went off in shopping centre toilet
Police officers are patrolling the entrances to the centre and stopping shoppers and staff entering.
A police spokesman said: “The safety of the public is our top priority and so the Fishergate Centre has been evacuated as a precaution and is currently closed. The rest of Preston town centre remains open for business.
“Our colleagues from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) have been called to assist us with our inquiries and to help in the disposal of the device.”
The owner of Mr Potato sandwich bar said she arrived at work just after 9am to find throngs of people out on the streets.
The management of Fishergate Shopping Centre had decided to evacuate as a precaution.
Police are stopping anyone accessing Butler Street and say anyone needing to access the Fishergate or railway station car parks should walk round via Chapel Street and Winckley Square.
An EOD Squad is stationed in Butler Street on the railway station side of the shopping centre.
It is understood a person is also trapped in a lift in the shopping centre, with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service working to free them.
The shopping centre has been closed since shortly after 9am.
Were you in the centre? Let us know in the comments below or email contactus@blogpreston.co.uk