M&S has announced expansion plans to create a regional flagship store on a major Greater Manchester retail park.
Only a couple of years after the major retailer permanently closed the doors to its multi-floored store in Bolton town centre back in April 2023, citing changing shopping habits and sparking widespread concerns about the town’s high street, M&S has now revealed grand plans to expand its Middlebrook branch.
The M&S at Middlebrook – which is the largest retail park in the UK – became the only store in the borough following the town centre closure.
While the building on Deansgate in Bolton has remained vacant ever since its closure nearly two years ago, ahead of the anticipated demolition and redevelopment of the town’s Crompton Place shopping centre, it’s not the only site set to receive an upgrade.
M&S will be expanding into two vacant units, including the former Wilko unit, at the Horwich-based retail park.
ADVERTISEMENT
M&S to expand and create a flagship store on a major Greater Manchester retail park / Credit: Google Maps
Developers Orbit Developments is working with M&S to relocate Boots, which is the other unit which M&S will expand into, and on top of this, a small extension built will also be built onto the back.
Alternative premises have been offered to Boots, according to developers, and they expect the company will stay at Middlebrook.
ADVERTISEMENT
Set to be a “flagship” store for the region following the redevelopment, Orbit Developments says the new M&S will bring a “renewed vibrancy” to the retail park, and will benefit both customers and the wider community.
More than 100 new jobs will also be created.
“This new brand-defining M&S full line store will significantly enhance the shopping experience for customers in the area and strengthen the retail offering for Bolton at Middlebrook, while creating around 108 new jobs and offering a boost to the local economy,” Orbit Developments said in a statement.
Expansion work is expected to start later in 2025, with the new store expected to open to the public in December 2026.
M&S says it plans to continue trading throughout the redevelopment.
Featured Image – Google Maps
Bolton
Police appeal after Bolton woman, 24, dies in collision following suspected ‘medical episode’
Emily Sergeant
An appeal for information and witnesses has been issued following a fatal collision in Bolton earlier this week.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that at around 7pm on Tuesday (16 September), a car was travelling eastbound along Chorley Old Road, near to the Horwich area of Bolton, when it is believed to have lost control and collided with a wall.
Sadly, the driver of the car – a woman aged 24 – died at the scene, and it is believed she may have had a suspected ‘medical episode’.
No other vehicles were involved in the shocking incident.
#APPEAL | Officers are appealing for information following a fatal traffic collision in Bolton yesterday evening (16 September 2025).
The road was closed for large part of Tuesday evening, close to the junctions with Old Kiln Lane and Walker Fold Road – with at least six police cars reported to be in attendance at one point, as well as several paramedics and even an air ambulance.
Police are still investigating the full circumstances of the collision, and are now asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to get in touch.
This also includes anyone with dashcam, CCTV, or doorbell footage which capturing the collision.
Can you help? Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101, or on the Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 2921 of 16/09/25.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Google Maps
Bolton
Man jailed for ‘savagely’ attacking woman with a meat cleaver
Daisy Jackson
A man who attacked a woman with a meat cleaver, causing life-changing injuries, has been jailed.
Mark Nuttall has been sentenced to 21 years behind bars for the attack, which took place in his house in Farnworth, Bolton back in February.
The shocking and ‘savage’ attack saw Nuttall attempt to strangle his victim with a rope, as well as setting upon her with a knife and a meat cleaver.
She was kept inside his address for four hours, and was ‘mocked’ by Nuttall when she was bleeding heavily from her head.
He then attempted to cover his tracks and fed paramedics a false story, but the victim bravely told police officers the truth.
Mark Nuttall, 46, pleaded guilty to attempted murder in June, and was sentenced to 21 years in prison yesterday at Bolton Crown Court.
Detective Constable Jon Liversage, of Bolton CID, said: “The savagery of this assault cannot be understated – the bravery that the victim has shown throughout the investigation is inspiring and I want to thank her for assisting me throughout the investigation.
“I hope this sentence can now give her and her family some closure.
“He kept her inside the address for four hours and when he couldn’t get his own way, he attacked her with a meat cleaver, hitting her in the head four times causing life-changing injuries.
“Whilst she was bleeding heavily from her head, instead of getting her medical attention, he mocked her.
“He called the ambulance service and told them the false story but once she was in the ambulance, she told the police officers the truth and Nuttall was arrested before he could harm her any further.”
Emily Sergeant -
30th January 2025 
