Further plans have been put forward to transform a vacant ex-supermarket, which include a new café.

The former Morrisons on Bury Road, Breightmet has been empty since the supermarket shut down in September last year.

Neighbouring Home Bargains announced plans to expand into the store soon after and further plans have now been put before Bolton Council.

Cllr Sean Fielding, of Breightmet, said: “It’s good to see work progressing on Home Bargains.

“I know many people are looking forward to the opening of a cafe as part of the plans.

The latest plans have been put before Bolton CouncilThe latest plans have been put before Bolton Council (Image: Lloyd Signs)

“There was some concern locally when half of the car park was shut off but it was in a poor state so the upgrades that are taking place are welcome and should be worth the disruption when complete.”

The latest steps of the plans were put before the council on Tuesday July 2 and include two illuminated fascia signs with a non-illuminated directional totem sign.

This will include signage for the Home Bargains itself and for the “Café Bargains” at the site.

The site has previously been a Safeways store with Morrisons opening on the site in 2011 creating 52 jobs in the Breighmet area.

But the supermarket closed last autumn after the company decided that it had become “unsustainable” sparking widespread concerns about the state of shopping outlets in the area.

The closure was first announced in July, with the doors finally shutting for the last time in September last year.  

This left people in Breightmet with little choice but to go to Bolton town centre for their nearest Morrisons branch just off Black Horse Street, about a 50-minute walk away.

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But soon after Home Bargains announced their intention to buy the newly vacant space and to expand their already existing branch on Bury Road into it.

In January this year plans for the proposed store refurbishment were put before Bolton Council which.

These included amendments to the approved drawings to the front elevation, roof and car park arrangements.

Bolton Council will aim to decide whether to approve the latest plans for the signage by Tuesday August 27 this year.