Primark's move from Crompton Place to Market Place is on track after it took the keys to its new site.

It is on the move to the old site of the Debenhams department store which shut some three years ago.

This is seen as a significant step for the Crompton Place shopping centre, which Bolton Council wants to demolish and a develop as a part of the Bolton Town Centre Masterplan, and for the Market Place shopping centre, which Moorgarth Retail wants to be a destination for shoppers in the town centre.

The store has now officially been handed over to Primark to begin their fit out, ahead of the busy Christmas retail season.

ALSO READ: Bolton Primark to leave Crompton Place for former Debenhams.

Alison Stewart, Senior Asset Manager for Moorgarth Retail, said: "This is significant for the town centre and for the Market Place.

"The relocation of Primark has been one of Bolton's worst kept secrets for far too long but this is not to underestimate the considerable challenges encountered and endured over these recent years to deliver this. 

"There is no denying our retail and leisure business sectors and the town centre have had it tough. This represents a step forward."

In 2022, Primark announced a £140 million investment in the UK as part of a commitment to invest in high streets. This move marks another addition to this investment.

Its new site is on the ground floor and the lower ground floor of the old site of the Debenhams department store and it is to open either late this year or early next year.

ALSO READ: Readers react as Bolton Primark to leave Crompton Place.

The demolition and development of the Crompton Place shopping centre is to start soon afterwards subject to planning permission.

It aims to create walking routes between Bradshawgate and Victoria Square east to west and Deansgate and Mawdsley Street north to south and to create a mixed-use development in the area around these walking routes.

Previously Nick Peel, leader of the council, said: "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity at the heart of the regeneration of our town centre.

"This will present us with an opportunity to replace an underused and unappealing building with something everyone in Bolton can be proud of."

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