Social impact developer CAPITAL&CENTRIC – stars of BBC Two’s Manctopia – has revised its £50 million plans to transform the former Farnworth market precinct into a vibrant new town centre community.
But now, following consultation with stakeholders, the scheme is set to include 12 family homes which will sit alongside 82 apartments.
A new linear park connecting the site and Farnworth Central Park is planned, providing a landscaped green hang out space for locals to enjoy, and the developer is also ooking to create a bustling new public square which could become a destination for artisan markets, live events, art galleries and pop-ups for foodies.
A flexible indoor space for community uses will too sit alongside spaces for local businesses to locate such as café bars and indie retailers.
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A community pavilion – which will be available to hire for events – is also included in the plans.
Check out our latest plans for Farnworth👇
We’re creating everything you need for a proper, thriving community.
The town centre reboot will have family homes, apartments, green spaces and a bustling new public square for events, artisan markets and indie pop-ups 🏡🍃🎪 pic.twitter.com/4Eg9ohruaN
“We always wanted this to be a vibrant mixed community which would attract people of all ages, so by reducing the amount of apartments and including more houses it’ll appeal to more families too,” said Tim Heatley, co-founder of CAPITAL&CENTRIC.
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“Less apartments also means that we’ve been able to reduce the height of the buildings to bring more sunlight into the public square.
“We were already planning loads of green and open spaces, but by tweaking the plans we’re able to provide even more.
“This is about rebooting the market town and creating a new destination for people to live, work and hang out. We want to attract cool indie operators, whether that’s a healthy deli, street food pop up or cafe bar, [so] it’ll be a bustling place with loads going on and plenty of community space for events and clubs.
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“It’ll become it’s own eco-system with everything you need for a proper, thriving community.”
Plans will transform the former Farnworth market precinct into a vibrant new town centre community / Credit: CAPITAL&CENTRIC
Located on King Street, the new community development is a short walk from Farnworth train station with easy access into Bolton and Manchester, and on the doorstep of the refurbished bus station, which makes it an ideal location for commuters.
In December last year Farnworth, was awarded over £13 million from the government’s ‘Future High Street’ fund to help transform the high street, and this will help deliver the town centre masterplan adopted by Bolton Council in 2019 – which includes plans to redevelop the market precinct.
Farnworth is also one of Andy Burnham’s ‘Town Centre Challenge’ areas.
The scheme is set to include 12 family homes which will sit alongside 82 apartments / Credit: CAPITAL&CENTRIC
“We are pleased that CAPITAL&CENTRIC has listened to local stakeholders and included more family homes in their proposals to create a vibrant mixed-used community in Farnworth,” said Cllr Martyn Cox, the Deputy Leader of Bolton Council.
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“Bolton Council underlined our commitment to regenerating Farnworth by producing a master-plan in 2019 and it is exciting to see these proposals progressing well.”
A decision on the outline planning application is expected from Bolton Council in the coming weeks.
Featured Image – CAPTIAL&CENTRIC
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Greater Manchester Police release latest image of elderly missing woman last seen in Oldham
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester Police have released a new image of an elderly missing woman after she was last seen in the Oldham area.
The 76-year-old lady, named only as Susette, who is believed to be from the Shaw area, was most recently spotted on Oak Street at approximately 8:56pm this past Monday, 20 October.
Officers and locals alike are understandably growing increasingly concerned for her welfare.
Susette is described as an older white female, around 5’4″ in height, with a slim build and light blonde/greyish hair. You can see the latest sighting of her down below.
Police previously stated that she had been seen wearing a blue anorak, blue jeans, a beige jumper with black stripes and black trainers with white trim.
However, as you can see, she has since been spotted in a similar outfit, apart from now wearing a cream jacket, black trousers and black ‘running-style’ trainers with a white sole.
It is also now understood that she has dementia and is therefore considered vulnerable.
Local Liberal Democrat and councillor, Howard Sykes MBE, has also asked his fellow constituents to remain vigilant and come forward with any and all potentially useful information they may have.
Sharing another photo of her via his official online blog, he went on to add: “Please can we ask anyone with any information to please contact GMP and to keep a lookout when out and about in the community to ensure Susette is found safe and well.”
New from me: Missing Person – Urgent appeal
Missing Person – Urgent appeal.
There is currently a lady from Shaw missing, Susette was last seen leaving her home in Shaw on 20/10/25, 21:00pm approximately . It is believed she’s … https://t.co/oLSCoglqZNpic.twitter.com/x4sHJNhkzY
Luxury £125-a-month Manchester gym Zeno Health Club suddenly shuts down
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s premium fitness facilities, Zeno Health Club, appears to have suddenly shut down.
The luxury £125-a-month gym, formerly known as Hero Training Clubs, sent an ‘urgent’ note to members late last night, saying the club is closed ‘until further notice’.
They then added: “We do not anticipate it reopening.”
The gym has promptly deleted its entire social media history.
Several of the trainers who lead the classes at Zeno Health Club have now shared their own updates and statements regarding the gym’s closure, expressing their heartbreak.
Zeno Health Clubs, located at the foot of Moda Angel Gardens, was split into four premium fitness areas, including a state-of-the-art weights room which held group PT and weightlifting sessions.
The gym also had a spin studio, an open gym with Hyrox and boxing facilities, and a pilates and yoga studio.
In the note sent to members, they said: “Please be advised that the club is closed tomorrow until further notice. We do not anticipate it reopening.
“A further communication update will follow on Thursday 23rd October. We apoligise for any inconvenience.”
Zeno Health Club in Manchester has shut down. Credit: The Manc GroupThe spin studio at Zeno Health Club. Credit: The Manc Group
Head coach Adam North shared: “This evening has been an incredible hard evening. I have put my heart and soul into zeno and from me I am sorry it’s the end of this chapter.
“I will respond to people in time and I understand there will be many questions. When I know anything I will answer them.
“But for now please be kind and rember people have potentially lost their livelihoods, passions and purpose.
“My love to all the zeno members past and today. Just know this isn’t the end from me.”
And another coach, Holli, said: “I do not have the words to express my heart break. I have tried to write this so many times and failed.
Zeno Health Club boxing. Credit: The Manc GroupThe spin studio at Zeno Health Club. Credit: The Manc Group
“But thank you for the most incredible 4 years. The friends, the community, the love, the support, the confidence I have gained will never go unnoticed, or unappreciated. You all have my heart and soul.
“Despite, what you may have to say, or think, please remeber people like myself have lost their job, their livelihoods, where they run their business. Everything they’ve built. please PLEASE be kind in your words.
“What I will say though, please hold onto some hope. Because this journey isn’t over. My hero and Zeno people, from the beginning to now. This family isn’t over. I’m working hard behind the scenes…. And a new door is about to be opened.”
The news comes just months after the shock closure of Blok, a similarly popular fitness and pilates studio across town.
The Manc has attempted to approach Zeno Health Club for comment, but the club has shut down its email accounts and social media.
It’s not yet known what will happen to members who have paid for up-front memberships.