A PARADE of shops in Bolton town centre has been sold in a multi-million pound deal.

Manchester-based MCR Property has acquired 21 shop units, a total of 45,000 square feet, in Newport Street, Bolton, for £14.5 million.

The parade of shops, running down one side of the precinct, has tenants including Martin Dawes, Game, Ann Summers, William Hill and Holland & Barrett. Only one unit is currently unoccupied.

Mark Hayes, of MCR Property, said: "This latest acquisition follows our recent spate of purchases including the new Cavendish Walk Scheme in Huyton and Clarendon Square Shopping Centre in Hyde, and it highlights our determination to dramatically increase our presence within the commercial property sector and ultimately double the size of our existing portfolio."

He added: "Bolton has seen a great deal of new investment over the last couple of years and with further regeneration of the town planned we felt that this was an excellent opportunity for us to be able to play our part in its rejuvenation.

"We are already in serious discussions with a potential occupier for the remaining unit and are confident that we will be able to secure a new letting very soon."

MCR Property, based in Lower Chatham Street, Manchester, is owned by Aneel Mussarat.

He began renovating and developing residential property in the 1980s with his first company Classic Properties and moved into commercial property six years ago when he purchased Woolwich House, in Mosley Street, Manchester.

Mr Mussarat formed MCR Property in September last year and immediately went on the acquisition trail.

Last month, the company acquired the Cathedral Campus student accommodation at Liverpool John Moores University.

And in January, MCR Property spent £24 million on Cavendish Court, £8.25 million on the Cresta Court hotel in Altrincham and £4.6 million on 19 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London Whittaker Horton acted for MCR Property, while Savills represented the parade's former owners, Royal London Mutual Assurance.