A vacant space above a restaurant in Bolton town centre could be set to be turned into new flats.

If approved the plan will see the first, second and third floors above Shake ‘N’ Burg on Bradshawgate turned into six new “self-contained” apartments.

This comes amid a pressing ongoing need for more housing all over Bolton.

Cllr Richard Silvester, of Queens Park and Central, said: “This building is currently unoccupied and vacant and the application for six self-contained apartments should be welcomed which would bring this building back into use and as long as the specifications, for each self-contained apartment adheres to national planning policy requirements, then I believe the application should be approved.

“As an authority we should encourage an application such as this one for self-contained apartments and discourage applications to convert such buildings into HMOs.

The Bolton News: The plans have been put before Bolton Council The plans have been put before Bolton Council (Image: Bolton Council)

“If this application is approved, this would help get more residents living in Bolton town centre adding to its regeneration, foot fall and economic prosperity.”

Cllr Silvester confirmed that he was formally supporting the bid to create the new flats.

The space above the Bradshawgate restaurant has previously been used as offices for a bank and then later for a charity.

But the former offices have remained empty for several years now.

Bradshawgate has long been well known for the pubs, nightclubs and takeaways that line the town centre road.

But in recent months and years more and more schemes have been put forward to create new housing along the street.

The developers in this case have argued that this could help spearhead the wider revival of the area.

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A statement from Mubeen Patel Planning Management said: “The role of Bolton and the other town centres are their focal points for retailing, leisure, entertainment, administrative, commercial and cultural activities.

"And for office and other employment, where they will be protected and enhanced, and their strength, vitality, diversity and character will continue to be improved to ensure access to a full range of facilities for the whole community.”

The plan was first put before Bolton Council on Thursday April 18 this year.

The authority will aim to decide whether to approve it by Thursday June 13.