The long-anticipated move of a high street giant in Bolton town centre will take place this year. 

Plans have been in place since last year for Primark to move to Market Place Shopping Centre. 

The high street clothes shop is currently based at Crompton Place Shopping Centre, which the council wants to demolish and develop as part of the Bolton Town Centre Masterplan. 

The move, which would see Primark move to the former Debenhams department store, was reported exclusively by The Bolton News in March 2023. 

Now it has been announced that the new store will open before the end of the year. 

New signage outside Market PlaceNew signage outside Market Place (Image: Newsquest) New advertising boards at the entrance to the unit say it will open this winter. 

It says: "Your new and improved store. Winter 2024."

New Primark signage has also been put in place at the entrance to Market Place on Corporation Street. 

This comes after plans were approved for the signage to be put in place at the centre. 

Advertising hoardings at the new storeAdvertising hoardings at the new store (Image: Newsquest) Read more: Chain store’s move across town centre on track after update

Read more: Questions over whether shopping centre space will be 'boarded up' after move

Read more: Key step forward in plans to move major retailer to Market Place

The distinctive blue "Primark" lettering can be seen beneath the "Market Place Shopping Centre" logo. 

Moorgarth Retail, the company which owns Market Place Shopping Centre, has said the move will be "significant" for the town centre. 

The signageThe signage (Image: Newsquest) It was reported in July that the former Debenhams store had been handed over to the retailer for it to begin its fit out ahead of the busy Christmas retail season. 

The move forms part of wide-ranging plans to remake the town centre when Primark relocates from Crompton Place to the Market Place. 

This will clear the way for the redevelopment works at the old Crompton Place site aimed at creating music venues, leisure facilities and even roof top football pitches. 

The development was given a boost earlier this year after Bolton Council came to an agreement with Marks and Spencer for it to surrender its lease at its old Deansgate store. 

The retailer continued to pay rent to the council and retained access to the roof of the shopping centre using the bridge over Hotel Street as a result.