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
Urgent search for missing 80-year-old ‘keen walker’ from Bury
Daisy Jackson
A keen walker and birdwatcher from Bury has gone missing while out walking in a local beauty spot, with an urgent search now taking place.
Brian Fletcher, 80, travelled from his home to the Tockholes area of Lancashire on Saturday afternoon.
Brian regularly walks in the area, police have said, including the Higher Roddlesworth and Lower Roddlesworth Reservoirs.
He hasn’t been seen since the weekend and officers are now urgently appealing for anyone who was in the area to come forward with dashcam footage.
If you were on the A675 Belmont Road – from Abbey Village to Tockholes – between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Saturday, and have footage or information, you should contact the police immediately.
Brian was driving a grey Citroen C4 Cactus car, registration WP64HSC, which was found parked in a layby on the A675, near to Tockholes Road.
He’s described as 5ft 8, slim, with grey hair and a small scar on his face from a recent procedure.
When Brian was last seen he was wearing a dark blue jumper, blue cargo trousers, a tan baseball cap and walking boots.
Bolton Mountain Rescue confirmed that search helicopters and dogs are being used in the search.
Lancashire Police said: “We are concerned for Brian’s welfare and if you think you have seen him over the weekend in the Tockholes and surrounding areas, please get in touch.
“Any sightings, please call 999 immediately. If you have dashcam footage of his car or any information which could assist us in finding Brian, contact 101 – quoting log 1544 of 22nd March 2025.
“Our officers are being assisted by Mountain Rescue teams in the search.”
Plans submitted to demolish 54-year-old Greater Manchester shopping centre
Emily Sergeant
Detailed plans have officially been submitted for the demolition of a once-thriving shopping centre that’s stood standing for half a century.
You may remember that Bolton Council purchased the Crompton Place shopping centre back in 2018 as part of its town centre regeneration masterplan, with the intent to demolish the building’s original structure and use the newly-cleared space for public performances, events, pop-up markets and loads more.
Pending approval later this year, the Council has now formally submitted demolition plans, with the process taking just 50 weeks and being completed in a single phase.
Visitors to Bolton town centre are expected to ‘quickly see the benefits’ of the demolition, according to the Council, thanks to the reintroduction of a direct pedestrian route between Victoria Square and Bradshawgate.
Ahead of the long-term use of the space, the Council says this so-called ‘meanwhile use’ in the short period between demolition and the start of new developments will ensure the area remains ‘vibrant’ and continues to attract visitors to the town centre in order to support local businesses.
Plans have been submitted to demolish a 54-year-old Greater Manchester shopping centre / Credit: Geograph
The transformation of Crompton Place is Bolton’s flagship redevelopment project and work is said to be ‘well underway’ to find the right developers for the site.
Planning was previously granted for a mixed-use development to replace Crompton Place, including leisure and hospitality venues, but once developers are appointed, they will hold a public consultation on the future for the site – including how it’ll benefit the wider town centre.
The demolition of Crompton Place follows years of work to relocate the former tenants of the shopping centre elsewhere in the town centre.
“This demolition plan marks the start of a truly transformational project in the heart of Bolton town centre,” commented Bolton Council Leader Nick Peel, as the plans were formally detailed and submitted this week.
“Last year saw several regeneration projects successfully delivered, but the start of work on Crompton Place sends a clear signal that Bolton means business.
“We have already had significant interest in the site, and we are confident that investment in the site will attract even more developers to other parts of the town centre.”
The Manc -
15th April 2021 
