Around £20M worth of funding to transform Bolton town centre has yet to be signed off before the election.

In November last year, Bolton was granted the money by the government as part of the latest round of Levelling Up funding last November.

This had been meant for projects like redeveloping the town hall and remodelling the Market Place Shopping Centre, but this has yet to receive final sign off with an election just weeks away.

Bolton Council Labour leader Cllr Nick Peel said: “The £20M has not yet had ministerial sign off so we need that before parliament closes down.”

He added: “If for whatever reason the minister doesn’t get round to that before the general election then we will look to the new incoming minister, who we will believe will be a Labour minister.

The Bolton News: The area around Bolton Town Hall has been set to be redevelopedThe area around Bolton Town Hall has been set to be redeveloped (Image: Newsquest)

“That will be Angela Rayner and will be looking to her to sign off that round.

“It’s money that’s been allocated for the areas around the Market Place and Le Mans Crescent so we desperately need that funding.”

Bolton Council’s funding bid for these areas had first been rejected in early 2023 when the government announced its second round of Levelling Up funding allocations.

The first round had financed a range of projects all around the country including for the Bolton Institute of Medical Sciences, now being built on the grounds of Royal Bolton Hospital.

But in a surprise move last November the government then announced that for its third round of Levelling Up funding it would be financing projects that had previously been rejected.

ALSO READ: 'Provisional' £20m fund could 'transform' hotel and shopping centre schemes

ALSO READ: 'Fantastic' £20million 'levelling up' investment announced for Bolton

ALSO READ: Bolton misses out on £40m town centre and De Havilland Way bids

This included the £20M plans for the town centre, which had been designed to attract more visitors, residents and shoppers to the area over the coming years.

Speaking at the time Bolton North East Conservative MP Mark Logan said that the latest bid being approved was “fantastic” news for the borough.

He said: “Bolton is clearly a priority for this Conservative government, and we are committed to cementing our great town as an even more attractive destination to work, live and visit.”

The general election is set to be held on July 4.