A FESTIVE “offers shop” has opened its doors in Bolton town centre.

Bolton Council has teamed up with businesses to attract more people to the town centre by offering dozens of discounts off shopping.

The shop also has free wi-fi.

Businesses such as Marks and Spencer, Crompton Place, The Market Place Shopping Centre, Debenhams, Beales, Boots, Peacocks and Toni and Guy are just some of the big names offering bargains for shoppers.

Offers will vary from business to business and will include a mixture of daily, weekly and even month-long discounts.

Keith Davies, Bolton Council’s director of development and regeneration, said: “It’s a really good way of promoting Bolton as a place to do your Christmas shopping.”

Malcolm Angus, Crompton Place centre manager, added: “Instead of just having an empty shop with the light off you’ve got something which is visible.”

Shoppers can download vouchers from boltontowncentre.co .uk or collect vouchers at the Bolton Town Centre shop in Victoria Square next to JD Sports from Monday. The shop is an empty unit which Crompton Place shopping centre has provided for the council to temporarily convert into an offers shop.

It will open Sundays from 11am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pmand Thursdays from 10am to 6pm. From December 27, it will be open from 10am to 4pm.

Customers can use their mobiles phones to scan in QR codes on posters to access information and offers. The council has also joined forces with Gateway Group to bring free wi-fi to Victoria Square—at no cost to the taxpayer.

The initiatives are the latest to be announced by the council in a bid to attract more shoppers to the town centre.

Free parking from 3pm every day was introduced at Bow Street, Deane Road, Topp Way and the Octagon car parks on November 1 and an ice rink will be in Victoria Square from December 1. Council leader, Cllr Cliff Morris, said: “We know it is very hard out there and Bolton, like every other town in the country, has had its share of economic difficulties.

“But despite that we do have a strong town centre and we know that Bolton is still a key retail destination for residents in both Bolton and surrounding areas.”