Bolton: Former Pink Panther nightclub to be turned into a church

Pink Panther was a huge hit among nighttime revellers but the building on St George’s Road not far from the town centre has been empty for around 20 years.

It was also home to Jungle and Uropa nightclubs.

But now, Bolton Council officials have approved plans by the Church Growth Trust to change the use of the building to a place of worship.

A statement from planning officers said: “The proposed use would provide a service to local residents and is compatible with surrounding uses, which includes other places of worship.

“The site is highly accessible and would make a positive social and economic contribution to the locality.

The building on St George's Road has been vacant for many years (Image: Church Growth Trust)

“Furthermore, bringing a long-vacant building into use would have a positive impact on the locality.”

The plan to transform the space was first put before Bolton Council on Tuesday February 7 and was given the go-ahead this week on Tuesday April 11.

The former nightclub now set to become a space for The Potters House Church to host services and meetings.

Facing the Market Place shopping centre and found next to the Holiday Inn, the building has long been a well known presence in the town centre having once been a piano bar and then an indie music club.

The plans for the new church have now been approved (Image: Church Growth Trust)

But according to the council report the space has been empty for well over a decade and has been allowed to fall into a state of disrepair.

The Church Growth Trust has previously argued that remaking the space could be key to reviving the fortunes of the wider community.

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A statement from the trust said: “The building is currently derelict and has not been used for a long period of time, and as such has become an area subject to trespass presenting a safety and security concern to the wider area.

“Steps have been taken to enhance the security of the building, such as by boarding up the existing windows and doors, and this has had a negative effect on the visual amenity of the site.

“The proposal to bring the existing building back into use, would safeguard its security into the future and would address the issue of visual amenity, while also creating a valuable community asset.”