Hotel, office block and car park will form new gateway to Bolton

A new hotel, office block and a multi-storey car park could be built in Bolton following the completion of the town’s £48m transport interchange.

Bolton Council has revealed that it wants to develop the junction of Trinity Street and Bradshawgate and transform it into the ‘Trinity Gateway’.

Council chiefs are confident that there is demand for an office block in that area and are looking into hotel interest. There will also be a need for more car parking close to the transport interchange, as other car parks nearby are nearing capacity.

The local authority purchased the Wayne Walker meat store site, at the junction of Bradshawgate and Trinity Street, after it was advertised for sale by its owner last October. The store announced its closure earlier this month.

The car park next to the building was owned by Gordon Moon Associates and has also been acquired by council chiefs as part of the development plan.

Bolton Interchange, being built adjacent to the railway station, will replace the existing Moor Lane bus station when it opens in mid-2017.

The interchange is being delivered by Transport for Greater Manchester in partnership with Bolton Council.

Leader of Bolton Council Cllr Cliff Morris said that the proposals will complement the ongoing development in the south of the town centre, together with the investment in transport.

He added: “We want to transform a key gateway into Bolton town centre and support the wider redevelopment that we’re seeing in the town.

“Work on the interchange is nearing completion and when it opens commuters will benefit from a modern transport hub.

“The current train station car park has also closed and Network Rail is starting work on Platform Five later this month. Together with electrification set to start at the end of this year, this will mean additional, improved rail services for our residents.
 
“But it also means that there will be more demand for parking and we need to have infrastructure – like a car park – in place to ensure we are ready.
 
“The Octagon car park is nearing capacity and we’re also thinking ahead to Bolton Central – the new office block – opening on Great Moor Street,” he said.

National Car Parks currently operates other multi-storey car parks in Bolton and discussions are underway with them about this site.

Cllr Morris said: “We are gauging interest with hoteliers and we know that there is huge office demand in Bolton. We had so much interest in Bolton Central and we will be building this office block speculatively – like we did with Bolton Central – as we are confident that the demand is there.”

Cllr Andrew Fender, chair of the TfGM Committee, added: “This development is fantastic news for Bolton.

“In other parts of Greater Manchester we have seen how investment in transport helps to attract employment and leisure opportunities to an area and it’s great to hear there are already high levels of confidence to support further redevelopment in the town centre.”

A planning application is expected to be submitted mid-year, and subject to approval, work on the car park could be the first thing to start later this year.