TWO plush new "late lounge" bars will be the latest additions to the changing face of Bolton's nightlife.

Circa will occupy the former Cottons pub on Bradshawgate, and bar chain Fifteen will open its latest venue in the former Brasshouse pub on Churchgate.

Both bars will be aimed at older customers, with an over-21s admission policy, and are expected to create around 40 jobs.

Circa will offer a European cafe atmosphere through the day, catering for the lunchtime market with a varied menu and drinks.

It will then become a more contemporary late lounge bar with live music and DJs offering jazz, soul and vocal house in the evenings, and there will be a late licence until 2am at weekends.

Aron Sloly, former manager of J2 in Nelson Square, will be the manager.

He hopes the relaxed atmosphere and ambient music will help to take the emphasis away from binge drinking.

"We want to offer as relaxed an environment as possible, where people can simply enjoy the ambience, where the atmosphere is not just about drinking," he said.

"Hopefully, a comfortable interior and more mature music will help customers to simply take it easy."

Fifteen will be a relaxed and stylish bar offering a selection of mature music through the day to accompany a food menu.

The interior will boast unusual leather furniture imported from Bali, Victorian art, and plants and flowers to give a relaxed and homely atmosphere.

At nights, the venue will play a selection of 1970s and 80s hits, with a late licence until 1am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Lisa Langton, operations manager at Yesteryear Pub Company, who will operate the bar, said: "It will be the sort of place people can drop into for a coffee during the day, and a glass of wine or Champagne at night, with a stylish and relaxed atmosphere.

"Bolton is simply crying out for a venue catering for the older customers."

Mr Sloly is planning to entertain customers at Circa's pre-opening night on Friday, October 8, with fire-eaters, stilt walkers and dancers. It will be fully open to the public on Saturday, October 9.

Fifteen is planning a VIP night when it opens, early in November.

The new venues are the latest in a series of developments which have seen the face of the Bolton's nightlife changing.

The Varsity, in Churchgate, has recently undergone a renovation and refurbishment scheme.

A tenant has still to be found for the former Corks premises on Bradshawgate after it closed earlier this year. The future of the Swan Hotel, which was sold to Bolton-based Provence earlier this year, is also uncertain.

A spokesman for Provence said the firm was "still looking into different avenues" for the Swan premises.

The Anchor pub, off Bradshawgate, has also recently closed and is awaiting a new tenant.