IT is sad but inevitable that it looks as if the Bolton Palais with not be restored to its former glory but will be demolished and replaced with another hotel and car park.

Reopening and running the Palais as a dance hall and entertainments centre was always going to be very challenging commercially and needed someone with vision and experience in the entertainment business to see its potential, not something that many property developers have.

However maybe the developers should consider incorporating into the design of the new hotel, a large ballroom, perhaps located in the basement. This would provide a much needed venue for the many people in Bolton who still enjoy a night out ballroom dancing.

The ballroom could also be used for such things as wedding receptions, exhibitions, celebrity/sportman’s evenings, business groups and political meetings etc.

Perhaps Bolton council's planning department should make this a requirement before approving any plans for the new hotel.

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