Around 80 casual staff members have been hired at an iconic town centre venue, which has been granted around £100,000 of funding this year.

The Albert Bar was reopened at the Albert Halls in Bolton Town Hall last November having been taken in-house to be run directly by the authority.

Now a recent town hall meeting heard about plans to make the most of the venue with a busy Christmas season looming.

Cllr Sean Fielding, who lives in Breightmet, said: “I come from a place where the town hall, because of decisions taken historically, was not all that spectacular and couldn’t be used in the same way and its very nice that we can do that here.”

He added: “I’m glad there is a plan to make the most of it.”

The Bolton News: The Albert Bar was reopened last NovemberThe Albert Bar was reopened last November (Image: Public)

Cllr Fielding had been referring to his previous stint as leader of Oldham Council between 2018 and 2021, where the local town hall had not been capable of being used in the same way.

He had been speaking at a meeting of Bolton Council’s corporate scrutiny committee which had been hearing about how to continue making use of the Albert Halls.

The members hear how around £100,000 had been allocated by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for the halls for the 2023/2024 period.

They were also told how there were three options for the future of the historic hall, including to “continue with some tweaks” and continue operating the bar in house and explore the potential to host weddings, funerals and other events.

Another was to find a commercial operator, something that Cllr Fielding said he would be “very much against” if it meant outsourcing public assets.

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Finally, the meeting was presented with the option of “re-imagining the Albert Halls” to make it a home for more family events and festivals.

Cllr Fielding heard how the council had largely followed the first approach since November last year and asked on what basis people at the Albert Bar were employed.

In response, the committee heard about the 80 casual members of staff were employed across the front of house, the bar and in catering with a busy period including pantomimes up ahead.

The members also heard how the casuals at the Albert Bar have been employed on council terms and conditions.