Home Bargains, Bolton, to move into Breightmet Morrisons

Shoppers and staff were dismayed in July when Morrisons announced that it would be shutting its branch on Bury Road, Breightmet.

But now, ward councillors say they have been told that the neighbouring Home Bargains store is expected to buy the empty space and expand its retail space.

Cllr Robert Morrissey, who represents Breightmet on Bolton Council, said: “Its good news that the Morrisons unit won’t be empty for long, with Home Bargains expected to move in before the end of the year.

“I know many people locally were anxious about what it might be.

Home Bargains will be expanding into the space (Image: Google Maps)

“I’m glad the support has been put in by the council and Usdaw to help staff find alternative jobs where necessary too.”

The supermarket was formerly a Safeways store with Morrisons opening on the site in 2011 creating 52 jobs in the Breighmet area.

The final date for the closure is believed to be Sunday, September 17.

It is understood that the Home Bargains store will be expanding into the unoccupied space by the end of the year and that supermarket staff have either secured different roles in the same company or have expressed an interest in working at Home Bargains.

Before this week’s announcement the future of the building had been uncertain, prompting speculation in the area about what could have been likely to move into the space.

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When the closure was announced in July, the company said that it did not feel that the branch was sustainable.

Speaking earlier this summer, a Morrisons spokesperson said: “Following a thorough review of the Breightmet store's operation, unfortunately we do not believe performance is sustainable and we are therefore announcing that we have made the difficult decision to propose to close the store. 

"We are endeavouring to communicate and execute these changes carefully and thoughtfully with all those affected. 

"We would like to welcome customers in the area to continue shopping with us at our Bolton, Blackhorse Street, store or via Morrisons.com.”

The Blackhorse Street store is around a 10-minute drive from the Breightmet Morrisons and has an estimated walking time of around 50 minutes.

There is also a Harwood Morrisons.

No one from Home Bargains availabe for comment.