A DERELICT Bolton shopping centre is to be bulldozed tomorrow to make way for new homes.

Brownlow Fold in Halliwell is to be demolished as part of an initiative spearheaded by Bolton City Challenge to redevelop the site for local people.

Bolton City Challenge Chairman Cllr Bob Howarth will be joined by members of the Brownlow Fold Residents Association to start the demolition work off. "Brownlow Fold has been a blot on the landscape in Halliwell and I know many people will be delighted it is coming down, especially as we will be building new homes for local people on the site," said Cllr Howarth.

Built in the early 70s, Brownlow Fold became derelict in recent years as shops moved out of the centre. It became a target for vandals until Bolton City Challenge stepped in with a plan to clear the site.

Now, 26 new homes will be built by developers William Hargreaves and there will also be some retail space for local shops. The clearance is expected to be completed in eight weeks and the new development built in 12 months.

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