A new branch of a popular building society is set to open its doors to the people of Bolton this week.

Skipton Building Society is relocating its current store at 17 Deansgate to a new site further up the same street, next door to Greggs.

A spokesman for Skipton says the move will preserve the staff team that are currently employed at the old branch.

He said: “The location is central in Bolton with good footfall. The unit has the majority of the floor area at ground floor level, allowing the society to offer level access into the branch with four offices allowing better facilities for interviews.

“We’re proud to have a long-standing customer base in Bolton and we have confidence that there's future potential to build upon our past successes.

“We look forward to supporting existing and future members of the society to help them plan for their financial futures, most particularly with their savings and investment needs.”

READ MORE: Skipton Building Society announces move to ‘prime’ Bolton town centre site

The new unit on has already been dressed up in Skipton Building Society livery and will signage on the windows says it will open to the public on Friday, March 3.

There will then be an opportunity to see the new space and its facilities next week.

The spokesman added: “We'd love to showcase the new premises at our open day on Wednesday, March 8. There we can show our improved facilities such as private interview rooms and video meeting equipment.”

The announcement will serve as something of a tonic to residents and borough officials, who have seen several big-named retailers declare their exit from Bolton’s high street in recent times.

Last week, The Bolton News learnt of Clintons’ intentions to leave its site on Market Street in the coming weeks, the latest recognisable brand to do so.

And in January, retail giant Marks and Spencer announced it would also be joining the exodus.

READ MORE: Bolton reacts after Marks and Spencer

The news that M&S would no longer be a high street fixture sparked a torrent of backlash in particular.

In 2021, chocolatier Thorntons also left Market Street in Bolton, which was followed by the subsequent closures of the rest of its UK stores weeks later.