Bolton: Ruling on plan to redevelop vacant Bradshawgate bar

The proposal to transform the long vacant Metro Bar on Bradshawgate was put before the council just before last Christmas.

The site has been vacant since 2018 and the authority has now approved a scheme to turn it into a new commercial building, which could house a shop, restaurant or café, office, or other business.

A statement from the council said: “The proposal does not include any external works, being for a change of use to the premises only.

The site is currently vacant (Image: Google Maps)

“Bringing into a use a long-vacant ground floor unit would have benefits for Bolton town centre and the development would therefore have a positive impact on the character of the locality.”

It added: “The proposed change of use is supported in principle and would not adversely impact the character of the area or the residential amenity of neighbouring properties.

“The proposal would not give rise to adverse highways impacts.”

Bar Metro had been one of the town’s most promising new business ventures when it opened in 2015, with hopes that it would prove a popular destination for people living and working around the town centre and with people visiting from further afield.

But the bar was forced to close just a few years later in July 2018 after a "combination of factors", including a burglary in which the public address system was stolen.

Bar Metro closed down in 2018 (Image: Newsquest)

The bar had not been making enough money to pay rent and its management had decided it would not be economical to reopen again.

Since then, the building has been home to several flats on the upper floors, while the ground floor has been left vacant.

Now that permission has been granted, developers will be able to begin transforming the space into a new business.

A statement from RA Design and Project Management said: “The area is an exciting, up-and-coming part of town where there has been significant investment from both the council and the private sector, with more developments in the pipeline.

It added: “Whilst the building has been found to be difficult to let and is in need of severe renovation, there does appear to be an anticipated upturn in demand following town centre investment by both the private sector and Bolton Council.

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“Despite the current cost of living crisis, the applicant is prepared to invest significantly in the building which is clearly to be welcomed."

The site will be allowed to stay open between 8am and 11pm from Monday to Sunday.

No changes have been proposed to the upper floors, which are residential, while there will also be no alterations to the outside of the building, but the ground floor will be refurbished.