A new nightclub is allowed to open into the early hours after the approval of a late licence by the council.

The applicants, Dale Gregory and Harry Gregory, applied for a late licence for Evolution on Deansgate.

The application was for the nightclub to be allowed to open as late as 3.30am on Fridays and Saturdays and to offer alcohol up until half an hour before closing. Previously the nightclub was allowed to open and to offer alcohol throughout the summer under a series of Temporary Event Notices.

There was opposition from a police officer, Ben Brookfield, a licensing officer, Garry Lee, and representatives from Bolton Council's Public Health, all of whom were in attendance at a Licensing Committee of councillors David Chadwick, David Grant and David Meehan at the town hall this week.

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Gareth Hill, from Bolton Council's Public Health, said: "According to the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit the area of Bolton Town Centre is the most violent in all of Greater Manchester which is startling. 

"We have to have the highest, highest scrutiny as we would not want to bring harm to the town centre."

(Image: Newsquest) John Wray, the agent for the applicants, said there were no problems under the series of Temporary Event Notices including on the evening of the final of Euro 2024 on July 14.

Mr Wray said the applicants have a lot of experience in the industry including Dale Gregory's experience as the ex-landlord of a number of pubs in Darcy Lever and Farnworth.

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Mr Wray said: "Mr Gregory has the best interest of the borough at heart because he is from the borough. 

"He might not be everyone's idea of an entrepreneur but he is my idea of an entrepreneur and he is taking a risk to revitalise the town centre."

After consideration Cllr Chadwick, Cllr Grant and Cllr Meehan approved the late licence with conditions.

The conditions range from staff training to the presence of at least three security staff into the early hours.

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