A brand-new food hall offering a range of cuisines from across the world has just opened inside Bolton Market.
Fresh off-the-back of the town being named Greater Manchester’s new ‘Town of Culture’, Bolton is already proving why 2024 is its year, as the latest development in the wider £5.9 million transformation of its town centre-based Market is now complete, and officially opened its doors to the eagerly-awaiting public last Friday (7 June).
Bolton is already known as one of our region’s foodie capitals, largely thanks to the annual – and very popular – Bolton Food and Drink Festival, which will be making a 2024 return this August bank holiday weekend, but now the opening of the new food hall cements the town as champions of food all year round.
Visitors to Bolton Market’s new food hall will be able to tuck into a wide range of cuisines from all across the globe.
Japanese, Caribbean, Indian, Italian, are just some of the tasty cuisines food traders will be serving up inside the Market food hall, as well as gourmet burgers, healthy chicken, sandwiches, freshly-cooked kebab dishes, sweet drinks and desserts, and so much more.
There’ll be a variety of options available for lunchtimes, after-work treats, and weekend dining too.
Aside from the foodie offering, there’s also a new gin bar from The Bolton Gin Company, named Chill, and the new venue is also home to several sports screens set to show all the action from the upcoming UEFA EURO 2024 football championship.
ADVERTISEMENT
Then, as a way of making the venue a nighttime destination too, Bolton Market will be extending its operating hours and the food hall will stay open later on Fridays and Saturdays, with local musicians and acoustic acts invited along to entertain diners.
Both indoor and outdoor seating is available at the new food hall – with room for 200 people to sit indoors, and a further 160 seats on offer outside.
A new food hall with a gin bar, sports screens, and more has opened inside Bolton Market / Credit: Bolton Market
Jon Dyson, who is the Director of Place at Bolton Council, said he’s excited for the new food hall to offer “even more variety” to the town.
ADVERTISEMENT
He continued: “After more than 70 food and drink traders toured the premises and expressed interest, the final selection was based on individual business cases and how we could provide a variety of options for customers.
“With Bolton being a popular place to work and study, this new venue will offer more dining choices for lunchtime breaks, as well as being a great addition to the town’s weekend hospitality scene, offering live music, entertainment, and sports on screens.”
Bolton Market Food Hall is now open from Tuesday and Thursday from 11am-5pm, Friday and Saturday from 11am-9:30pm, Sunday from 12pm-6pm, and closed on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Featured Image – Paul Heyes (via Bolton Council)
Bolton
Will Forrester leaves Bolton Wanderers for fellow League One side
Danny Jones
Popular Bolton Wanderers defender Will Forrester has officially left the Toughsheet Stadium for another League One side.
Forrester, who joined Bolton back in 2023 from Port Vale, has made over half a century of appearances for the Wanderers.
The 24-year-old Cheshire-born centre-back came up through the Stoke City academy before making just a handful of appearances for the first team.
Having played more games for the Greater Manchester outfit than any other club in his career thus far, many fans are gutted to see him go.
Addressing the supporters on social media, Forrester wrote: “Thank you to all involved at Bolton Wanderers FC for my time at the club.
“A special club with unbelievable people that work within. Also, a massive thank you to the fans for all of the support throughout.”
His sign-off has been met with plenty of love and well-wishers, as plenty have cited his numerous injury problems – including a ‘freak fall’ which required surgery – as having unfortunately hampered his progress with the Wanderers.
One fan commented, “When fit, he was definitely a first-team starter. But had such bad luck with injuries, he missed more than he played for us.
“Best of luck to Will; it’s probably the right decision for both parties. Such a shame.”
Forrester – originally from Alsager (a town located near Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe) – has become Leyton Orient FC’s first signing of the January transfer window.
Will Forrester has penned a two-and-a-half-year deal and becomes the O’s first January signing of 2026 🙌
While he joins the club on a two-year deal, his transfer fee remains undisclosed.
Having said that, his wages are expected to be towards the higher end of player salaries at Brisbane Road, with the third-tier side still sitting dangerously close to the drop zone in 20th place.
Touching on his arrival via an official club statement, Forrester said: “I’m very happy to have signed here. The mindset and the goals the club want to accomplish in the coming years makes this move very exciting, and I can’t wait to get started.
“Speaking to the gaffer, he has outlined his expectations of me, and I want to help push us forward. I know the challenges of reaching the play-offs the year before and want to help the lads get back on track as quickly as possible.”
You can see his first full interview as a member of The O’s down below.
Featured Images — Bolton Wanderers FC (screenshot via YouTube)/Leyton Orient FC (via X)
Bolton
Brilliant Boxing Day walks around Greater Manchester
Daisy Jackson
It’s Boxing Day, and for a lot of us, the only requirement of the day is to sort out (eat) the leftovers and enjoy one last day of vegetating in front of the telly… walking is not high on the agenda.
But all that over-indulgence from Christmas Day can start to creep up on you – waistbands straining, head a bit foggy, bank balance definitely suffering from the Christmas Eve pub session.
Without wanting to sound like your nan, sometimes a bit of fresh air is exactly what you need to get yourself put back together again – not to mention it can help you to build up an appetite again to dive into that cheeseboard for the sixth time this weekend.
Greater Manchester is blessed with beautiful walks in all directions, so we’ve rounded up a handful of beautiful Boxing Day walks to try out.
There aren’t many places in the UK that look so much like a Christmas postcard as Macclesfield Forest, making it one of our favourite winter walking destinations.
Here, huge conifers dominate the landscape like giant Christmas trees – it’s about as close to an alpine wonderland you can get without travelling all the way to actual mountains.
There are a number of walking trails to follow, from a gentle green route all the way to a more challenging red route that takes you deeper into the forest.
Greenbooth Reservoir is one of Greater Manchester’s most underrated beauty spots.
If you tackle a full loop of all three reservoirs, you’ll come across a small waterfall, a stunning view of the Manchester skyline from the dam wall, and paths carved into steep hillsides.
It’s all nestled up in the Naden Valley in Rochdale, just above Norden.
Let’s see how awake your quads are, shall we, with an entirely uphill climb from Ramsbottom village to its magnificent Peel Monument.
The walk’s not too tough if you take it at a slow pace, and it’s well worth it for the views. Trust us.
You can go straight up the hill to the tower and straight back down again if you don’t want to rack up too many miles, or turn it into a circular and stroll across Holcombe Moor instead (beware – it can get windy up here).
There’s a map of the circular route here and some great pubs in the village to relax in afterwards.
Dovestone Reservoir is a beloved gem among many Mancunians – it might be busy on Boxing Day, but thanks to its mostly wide footpaths and circular route, it’s still easy enough to have your own space on your walk.
The path around the water is mostly flat and accessible, making it ideal if you’ve still got a few generations worth of relatives hanging about.
ADVERTISEMENT
You can keep going if you’re feeling adventurous, extending your walk to include Greenfield and Yeoman Hey reservoirs, or heading up to Saddleworth moor and the crags above.
You can find more information about Dovestone Reservoirhere.
This is far and away one of the best winter walks you can do locally, especially on a crisp sunny day (which we hope Boxing Day will be).
The water is surrounded by woodland and meadows, and you can take a stroll along the banks of the River Mersey while you’re out here.
The lake itself is actually an artificial one, and was flooded after gravel was dug up to build the M60 in the 1970s.
ADVERTISEMENT
In summer, it’s packed with people doing watersports, but during the winter, it’s a picturesque little local stroll – and as a bonus, you can even get the tram right to the gate.
Right then, if you want maximum bang for your buck (as in soaking in as much fresh air and scenery as you can in as short a time as possible), Reddish Vale is the one.
There’s a really gentle loop that starts from the car park and skirts the edge of the bottom pond, also taking in views of the enormous viaduct that looms overhead.
And if you’re after something slightly more involved, you can keep exploring – this urban oasis spans 161 hectares with the River Tame running right through it.
Rivington Pike is a real gem in the North West, just across Bolton’s border with Lancashire, with loads to explore.
There’s a trio of reservoirs at the foot of the hill, but most people head upwards, towards the historic tower at the peak, where you can soak in views for miles around.
The Terraced Gardens are well worth exploring too, where you’ll find a hidden Japanese garden, lakes, waterfalls, bridges, sculptures and caves.
It might not be the most adventurous of Boxing Day walks – Heaton Park is one of Manchester’s most popular and prominent green spaces and one of the largest municipal parks in Europe – but it’s a perfect option for a family-friendly stroll.
The huge park has miles of accessible footpaths which loop around the boating lake, the Grade I-listed Heaton House, and the ‘Temple’, which stands at the highest point in the city of Manchester.
There are also cows and horses wandering about (even when the animal park itself is closed), and the old tramline to check out.
12. Hollingworth Lake – Littleborough
Credit: The Manc
What’s better than a walk where, after you’re done, you can stop off for a well-deserved Friday night feast: some of the best fish and chips you’ll ever have.
This is an accessible and flat walk suitable for all, and if you’ve worked up an appetite, there’s an ice cream truck courtesy of Northern sweet-treat greats Grandpa Greene’s on Lake Bank.
Located just a nine-minute drive away from Bury town centre, Burrs Country Park is a great chance to be at one with nature while also making sure you’re not too far from home.
This lovely stroll is certainly a-MOO-zing with comforting pub grub at The Brown Cow or nearby ice cream parlour Jersey Girls’ – we may have a little ice cream obsession…
14. Peel Park and Kersal Wetlands – Salford
Peel Park (Credit: Richerman via Wikimedia Commons)
Featuring some vast green spaces and some of the most intricately landscaped paths and patterns, Peel Park is like stepping into a mini Bridgerton-inspired garden, all that’s missing is the keys to your own castle (we wish)…
ADVERTISEMENT
Another Salford beauty spot is just a 20-minute walk away, but if the conversation is flowing, the time will just fly by.
Kersal Wetlands is a circular route that offers visitors the chance to see some cute feathered friends, mainly ducks, while burning off some of yesterday’ Christmas treats.
Both these walks are flat, making them accessible for all and ideal for anyone with a pram or people who may struggle with strenuous walks.
15. Fletcher Moss Park – Didsbury
A Didsbury gem, Fletcher Moss Park is a 15-minute tram ride away from Manchester city centre and just under a 15-minute wander from Didsbury Village tram stop.
This is more than a park; it’s a hidden oasis with well-maintained and lush garden spaces, to a fascinating rock garden that’s simply awe-inspiring.
ADVERTISEMENT
Grab a coffee or hot chocolate from the retro food and beverages truck and take a minute to appreciate this quiet spot before making your return to the usual hustle and bustle.
Ever wanted to ‘hover above a huge gorge’while getting all your steps in? Well, this Peak District town has got you covered.
Situated directly next to the River Sett, the impressive 175-yard walkway can be incorporated into various walking trails and routes that surround the area.
New Mills has it all, whether you’re after a walk that admires some grand architecture in the shape of the impressive railway arches, or the lovely forest trails and greenery, there’s something for every type of walker – and let’s face it, we all move a bit slower on Boxing Day.
Emily Sergeant -
11th June 2024 
