Bolton

Streets in Bolton town centre to be pedestrianised as hospitality venues apply for outdoor licenses

The Manc The Manc - 15th April 2021

A number of prominent streets in Bolton town centre are to be closed off to traffic as visitors return over the coming weeks.

During earlier coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdowns, Churchgate – the town centre’s main thoroughfare – had been closed over the weekends to allow people to sit outside at bars, restaurants and cafes, but Bolton Council has confirmed this will now be reopened to cars.

Nelson Square, however, will remain closed to traffic from Thursday to Sunday each week to allow more outdoor space.

In preparation for lockdown restrictions to continue easing further as part of the government’s “irreversible” roadmap, it’s been confirmed that hospitality venues across the town have been applying for pavement licences to begin serving customers.

It’s a move that could see Nelson Square mirror the current pedestrianisation of several streets in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

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Hospitality businesses were finally permitted to reopen for outdoor service earlier this week.

Explaining plans for the town centre going forward, a spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Following on from the announcement of the pavement café licences back in July last year, we originally closed Churchgate Friday – Sunday to support the hospitality sectors in this part of the town centre.

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“We’ve monitored the feedback and usage of pavements during that time and have revised the plans. 

“Individual bars and venues will be able to use the section of pavement outside their premises but Churchgate will remain open for traffic.

“Elsewhere, it’s planned that Nelson Square will be closed to traffic Thursday to Sundays when we move into Step 3 to allow outdoor space to be used, and we have had applications from other venues around the borough”.

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What restrictions are being lifted from 17th May?

If the data allows it, further restrictions will be lifted on 17th May as part of ‘Step Three’ of lifting England’s lockdown, which are:

  • Up to 30 people from different households will be able to gather outdoors.
  • Indoor hospitality will reopen, as well as indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas, hotels, children’s play areas and indoor group sports and exercise classes.
  • The limit on guests attending weddings, receptions and wakes will increase to 30.

The government has also said it will update advice on social distancing measures no later than this stage, and this will also be the earliest date at which international holidays may be able to resume.

This will all be subject to a prior government review.

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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.

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Bolton

Ian Evatt responds to negative fan chants after Bolton’s 5-0 thrashing against Stockport County

Danny Jones Danny Jones Ian Evatt responds to negative chants from Bolton fans after Stockport 5-0

Bolton manager Ian Evatt has hit back at his own club’s fans after the Trotters who travelled to Edgeley Park to witness their hefty defeat against Stockport County sang multiple negative chants.

Evatt’s men were on the receiving of a 5-0 thrashing against the Hatters in the League One fixture on Saturday, conceding four goals in the second half and with three of those coming with just 15 minutes of each other.

Wanderers‘ results have been very up and down of late, with the Greater Manchester clash now leaving them sat in 10th with five losses to their name from 14 games.

However, Evatt was defiant in one post-match interview with BBC Sport in which he tried to keep things in perspective and questioned the behaviour of the away supporters who voiced their criticism both during and after the game.

As you can hear from this brief clip alone, the 42-year-old former player-turned-coach clearly believes that the fan reaction was misjudged and unfair given what he sees as some relative success since he arrived at the club back in 2020.

Self-deprecating choruses of “you’re getting sacked in the morning”, “we’re f***ing sh**’ and even “we should have gone Christmas shopping” rang out around the crowd according to those who attended the drubbing inside Stockport’s stadium – a club which in contrast has continued to build year on year.

Bolton were knocked out of the FA Cup first round in their previous match against Walsall and were even beaten by Aston Villa’s under-21s team in the group stages of the EFL Trophy – incidentally, the last piece of silverware they won in April last year and something Evatt is keen to remind them of.

Nevertheless, his response to the away support making their feelings known hasn’t gone down particularly well either, with plenty of the opinion that it is Evatt who is in need of a reality check and that there hasn’t been enough progress in the last couple of years.

Like countless other comments, online fan page ‘Everything Bolton Wanderers’ simply wrote “Papa John’s Trophy and now 10th in L1, isn’t success to me” and while players have come out to shoulder the responsibility, the pressure continues to mount.

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Many have already made it clear that they now believe the Coventry-born coach should be sacked and that the project he began almost half a decade ago is now coming to an end.

Evatt has become an increasingly divisive figure around the club of late too – having most notably been charged with misconduct by the FA for a confrontation with a Shrewsbury player earlier this season – and it’s by no means the first time Bolton fans have aired their grievances via chants inside the ground.

There’s still a lot of football to be played yet but it seems he has some way to regain faith among much of the fan base. Find his full post-match interview HERE.

What do you think, Bolton fans – do you want to stick with him or is it time to go? You can watch the highlights for what proved to be a great day for County fans down below.

It’s not the first time they’ve put five past their local rivals.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Bolton Wanderers (via YouTube)

Bolton

Police urgently appeal after three-car crash in Bolton leaves girl, 6, with ‘life threatening’ injuries

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

An urgent appeal has been issued following a serious collision involving several vehicles in Bolton over the weekend.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that, at 10:30pm this past Saturday night (9 November), officers were called to reports of a serious collision between three cars on the busy thoroughfare of Chorley Old Road in Bolton.

According to police, it’s believed that one of the cars involved in the incident was travelling in an easterly direction along Chorley Old Road, with the second car exiting Avenue Street onto Chorley Old Road.

The first car then crossed onto the opposing side of the carriageway, and proceeded to collide with the third car involved.

Sadly, three people from the third car were taken to hospital for further treatment, GMP confirmed, and a six-year-old girl sustained injuries that, at this time, are believed to be “life threatening”.

Following the incident, police are now urgently appealing to the public.

The junction of Avenue Street onto Chorley Old Road, where the collision occurred / Credit: Google Maps

GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are in the process of following several lines of enquiry, but in the meantime are appealing for witnesses, and anyone who may have information regarding the incident, to come forward and assist.

“This includes anyone with relevant dashcam, CCTV, mobile, or doorbell footage from the area and captures any of the incident,” GMO said in its public appeal.

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Can you help? Anyone with any information is asked to contact GMP on 0161 846 4741 or 101, quoting log 3388 of 9/11/24.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – GMP

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