The move which could lead to once in a generation transformation of Greater Manchester town centre

Bolton’s Crompton Place shopping centre is set to be demolished early next year – and it could lead to a potential £300m transformation of Bolton town centre. The move would provide direct links from Victoria Square to Bradshawgate and a mixed use development site would be created which could include shops and leisure outlets, town centre housing and health facilities.

Bolton Council bought Crompton Place in 2018, before beginning the process of supporting leaseholders to relocate so demolition work could start. A stumbling block to demolishing the centre, which was built in 1971, was a small number of remaining leaseholders.

These included Marks &Spencer, who closed their store on Deansgate a year ago, but retained a lease until 2027 which meant they retained access rights to the former store via the roof of Crompton Place and the bridge across Hotel Street.

However, after complex negotiations, the council’s cabinet is set to consider options to agree an early surrender of that lease. If accepted, it could allow for work to start as soon as anchor store at Crompton Place, Primark, completes its planned move to the former Debenhams unit at the Market Place shopping centre in late 2024 or early 2025.

The council said early stages of the project will focus on stripping the internal structure of the building, followed by work on the exterior. The authority said it will provide regular updates on progress and a public consultation will be held about the future use of the site.

Join the Manchester Politics WhatsApp group here

They said space would not be fenced or boarded off for long periods after demolition and ‘will continue to play an important role in the heart of the town centre before, during and after regeneration