Proposals for the major development opposite the Town Hall in Bolton are due to be submitted for outline planning consent.
Public consultation events with local people and businesses will be held in November 2019 combined with an online social media campaign to capture views on how the shopping centre should be revived.
The scheme is being developed by Bolton Regeneration Limited – a partnership between Beijing Construction Engineering Group International (BCEGI) and Midia.
It will include an improved retail and dining experience, new pedestrian areas and public realms, brand new ‘A Grade’ office space, high-quality homes and a hotel.
The scheme, which also comes under the working title of ‘Bolton Victoria Square’, is a strategically important step in Bolton Council’s £1 billion masterplan and one of five ‘intervention areas’.
Nationally, the retail landscape has undergone a huge change with town centre facing many challenges. Bolton has not been immune to this, and the new proposals aim to restore.
Bolton town centre as the heart of the community and make it a vibrant place again where people want to live, work, visit, shop and socialise.
Steven Turner, Director of Bolton regeneration Limited, said:
“We would like to thank all of the people who came along to visit the public consultation events to share their views on our exciting plans for Bolton Victoria Square.”
“We received an overwhelmingly positive response from the public and believe this development meets the needs of the local community and visitors alike whilst stimulating long-term economic growth for the town centre and wider borough.”
Justin Cove, Director at Hive Land and Planning, said:
“This is an exciting time for Bolton.”
“Bolton Victoria Square sits right in the heart of the town centre and aligns with the wider aspirations for the town and if approved it will completely transform Bolton.”
“It is a huge investment into the local economy, creating new working, living and social spaces which will kick-start the regeneration of the town and build momentum for delivering long-term change.”
Councillor David Greenhalgh, Leader of Bolton Council, said:
“We are committed to making Bolton town centre a great place to live, work, shop and visit. The council’s £100m fund has resulted in significant developer and investor confidence in Bolton, and it’s great to see such an exciting scheme coming forward with the aim of transforming the heart of the town centre.”
Planning is due to be submitted to Bolton Council imminently and plans will be available to view on the council’s website www.bolton.gov.uk.
