Home Bargains plans for Breightmet Morrisons put forward

Home Bargains announced earlier this month that they hoped to expand into the now empty Morrisons on Bury Road, Breightmet after the supermarket was closed the previous September.

Extra details have now been put forward for the floor plan at the expanded retailer as well as a sign outside the store.

Cllr Sean Fielding, of Breightmet, said: “If Morrisons would’ve stayed empty it would’ve been an eyesore and attracted antisocial behaviour.

“It’s brilliant that Home Bargains appear to be moving so quickly.

The plans have been put before Bolton Council (Image: WPL Consulting LLP)

“Personally, I’d like to have a broader conversation about whether this can be a catalyst for other improvements at the retail park and shopping parade on Bury Road.

“This is Breightmet’s local centre and is visited by thousands of people every week.

“Regeneration isn’t just about Bolton town centre.”

The closure of the Morrisons last Autumn sparked widespread concerns about the state of Breightmet’s main shopping area.

Morrisons said at the time that it had undertaken a review and did not believe that its Bury Road store was “sustainable.”

Home Bargains is expanding into the empty Morrisons (Image: WPL Consulting LLP)

But Home Bargains, which maintains a neighbouring store, announced shortly after that they planned to expand into the empty space.

It is understood that since September supermarket staff have either secured different roles in the same company or have expressed an interest in working at Home Bargains.

Earlier in January the company said that they hoped to get work underway by March or April this year.

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This came after passers by noticed preparations for works appeared to be made on the Bury Road site.

The plans put before Bolton Council on January 3 for the proposed store refurbishment include amendments to the approved drawings to the front elevation, roof and car park arrangements.

There are also plans, put before the council on January 4, for an “illustrated totem sign” advertising the Home Bargains, its café, car park and online ordering facility.

Bolton Council will aim to decide whether or not to approve the amended drawing plans by Wednesday January 31 and the totem by Thursday February 29.