Bolton town centre's first park in more than a century has been awarded for its design excellence six months after it officially opened to the public.   

Elizabeth Park, named in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II, first opened to the public in March this year just opposite the new market food fall on Ashburner Street.

The town’s first new park in 120 years has now been named Project of the Year at the annual Civil Engineering Contractors Association North West Awards.

Council deputy leader Cllr Akhtar Zaman said: “Elizabeth Park is a vibrant green space and a wonderful community asset for residents and visitors alike and it is great to see this recognised on a regional level.

“Well done to all those involved who brought this vision to life.”

The space is Bolton's first new park for 120 yearsThe space is Bolton's first new park for 120 years (Image: Bolton Council)

The award was presented to Bolton Council and contactors Bethell.

The park was created over the site of the old Odeon Cinema on Ashburner Street and was part of wide-ranging plans to regenerate the town centre.

These included the plan for new housing at the old bus station on Moor Lane as well as the recent expansion to Bolton Market with the new food hall.

The site had previously been vacant for many years with the Odeon having screened its last film in 1983 before becoming a Mecca Bingo Hall, which closed in 2004.

It was then demolished in 2007 and laid empty before plans to convert into a park with lawns, a performance area, paved area, seating and picnic areas approved in June 2022.

It was originally set to be known as the “Odeon Park” before the death of the Queen in September 2022 prompted a rethink.

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The decision was then announced by Bolton Council that same month that the new green space would be dubbed “Elizabeth Park” in tribute.

During the construction process, school children were involved to plant bulbs and learn about biodiversity.

Many of those children then returned for the opening event last March held by the then Mayor of Bolton Cllr Mohammed Ayub and various other dignitaries to see the bulbs in bloom.

They included pupils from St Peter and St Paul’s RC Primary School, Gilnow Primary School, Pikes Lane Primary School and Bolton Parish Church Primary School.