A NEW 24-hour drive-thru coffee shop is planned for a former travel agent site in Bolton.

Tim Hortons, which has 52 other outlets in the UK, plan to transform the former Thomas Cook and Hays Travel building at Burnden Park into their first outlet in Bolton.

The Canadian-based chain, which is more than 50 years-old, promises ‘premium coffee, freshly baked goods, delicious sandwiches and wraps, and other food products’.

There are nearly Tim Hortons outlets at The Rock, in Bury, Stockport and three more in Manchester.

Documents lodged with Bolton Council this week reveal their plans for the site.

A planning statement in support of changing the use from travel agents to coffee shop and restaurant at the Manchester Road site, said: “We are proposing that the unit operates 24 hours a day.

“Tim Hortons is a relatively new entrant to the UK market and can best be described as a restaurant chain with a coffee and bakehouse offer.

“They opened their first store in the UK in 2017 and now has units across all four countries of the UK, with more opening soon.

“Its current focus is to expand its drive-thru model across the UK, including at the Bolton site.

“The Tim Hortons offer is different from that provided by the likes of McDonalds, KFC and Burger King and is comparable to that provided by coffee shop operators such as Costa or Starbucks, with a substantial part of the offer comprising hot and cold beverages and bakery items, including an extensive choice of donuts.

“The hot food offer includes paninis and ‘melts’ as well as hot sandwiches and wraps, again similar to other coffee shop operators.”

The brand was founded in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario.

It has since grown to more than 4,500 stores from coast to coast in Canada, where it is known affectionately as ‘Timmy’s’.

The planning report said that the nearest residential properties are located within 30 metres of the site, on the western side of Manchester Road.

If the plans are approved there will be changes to the existing car park layout to accommodate the drive-thru lane resulting in the loss of seven car parking spaces.

This will leave a total of 26 car parking spaces for the restaurant and other nearby units.