A historic building which has been shut for a number of years will reopen as a pizza restaurant.
Situated in Churchgate, plans were announced to turn transform the former Ye Olde Wench & Trinkets gift shop.
But before work can be done, the history of the building and an archaelogical survey will take place.
The planning application lodged with Bolton Council revealed plans to revive the vacant site, which is disused and "in a bad state of repair" with "a large amount of rot and water damage".
The building, next to Ye Old Man and Scythe pub, at 12 Churchgate, was built in 1636, however the pub and associated buildings at the site are believed to date back to around 1251.
It is thought that for long periods of time 12 Churchgate was used as a butcher’s shop.
It had also previously served as a temperance bar, once known as Smokey Joe’s in the 19th century, before becoming a coffee bar in the 1940s.
Mouloud Allaoui, who also owns Ciao Napoli on Mawdsley Street, submitted the plans.
Ciao Napoli has been a staple of Bolton's restaurant scene for decades, with Mr Allaoui working his way up to own the restaurant, having started there as a chef.
The planning application for the new restaurant proposed that a chimney stack and internal fireplace in the Grade II listed building will be removed, allowing for "further detailed inspection of the historic timbers behind".
Refurbishments and repairs to the building, including new side windows and a replacement structural beam, are also planned.
Bolton Council have approved the plans, subject to conditions which aim to 'safeguard the visual appearance and character' of the building and be in keeping with its surroundings.
One condition is for a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) to be carried out - a WSI is a specification that sets out what work can be done to understand the extent, character and significance of any archaeological remains.
In this case, the WSI would be to make sure historical research and archaeological analysis can take place, aiming to discover more about the history of the building.
If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at zach.harrison@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @zachhjourno.
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