Bolton Council reiterated its commitment to the redevelopment of Crompton Place as another occupant prepares to leave the premises.

Bolton Library moves out of its site at the shopping centre this weekend before it opens at its site next to the town hall two weeks later.

The 16-month move was to allow for the multi-million-pound refurbishment of the Central Library on Le Mans Crescent and it was made possible by a delay to the redevelopment of Crompton Place, which the council acquired in 2018 as a part of its £1 billion Bolton Town Centre Masterplan, before it became bogged down in the prolonged process of speaking both to the businesses and to the developers.

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A £16 million bid to the first round of the Levelling Up fund was unsuccessful after an email was too big to be sent before the deadline.

However the move for the library, followed by the move for Primark to Market Place towards the end of this year or towards the start of next year, presents an opportunity for the plans to make some progress.

Bolton Council reiterated its commitment to the redevelopment of Crompton Place as well as to the work elsewhere in the town centre such as homes on Moor Lane and an 'Innovation Hub' at The Wellsprings.

The Bolton News: An artists impression of the original redevelopment proposal for Crompton Place shopping centre in Bolton (Hive Land & Planning)

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: "The redevelopment of Crompton Place remains central to our work to transform the town centre. We know residents are keen to understand our plans and to see development start on site.

"Work to bring forward viable development options continues and we will share our plans as soon as we are able to. In the meantime, a number of other exciting town centre projects are progressing, including developments at Moor Lane, Central Street, Bark Street and The Wellsprings."

The library moves out of its site at the shopping centre on January 6 before it opens at its site next to the town hall two weeks later. It is possible to arrange pick-ups and returns at Bolton Museum until January 18.

Primark moves out of its site at the shopping centre towards the end of this year or towards the start of next year before it opens on a date to be determined.

Two dates have been put forward, October of this year, or February of next year. 

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.