AN area of Bolton which was once the hub of the town centre is enjoying a revitalised nightlife scene.

The arrival of The Venue and Hogarths, in Churchgate, along with the Ye Olde Man and Scythe and Brass Cat, has boosted trade in the area.

Pub bosses on the street are also hoping to plan an outdoor music event to take place there in the summer.

Churchgate was historically a popular part of the town, with coaching houses where people could reach other parts of the country before the advent of the railway.

Co-owner of The Venue John Wray, which is launching a £1,000 singing competition next month, said the club is packed with 250 to 300 people on Friday and Saturday nights.

Mr Wray said: "It's going very well. It's proving popular. We're very pleased with the way it's going but I still think it's a little bit of a well-kept secret. Everyone that comes in thoroughly enjoys themselves.

"With Hogarths, it's changed the feel of Churchgate — along with ourselves.

"There's now a circuit for people to go round."

John Manson, from Hogarths, said: "It's nuts down here. Last Saturday, they were queuing past the pastie shop. I do a lot of the football."

Jean Aspinall, from Booth's Music, said the shop would support plans for a music festival and staff have noticed an increase in people in the area.

She said: "Hogarths certainly seems busy, especially when there's a football match on.

"I would say there's more people, more footfall going there."

About 650 people have signed up to The Venue's membership scheme, which gives them the chance to book the VIP area and booths, and take advantage of special offers.

The over 25s live music venue opened in October, followed by Hogarths — a sports bar specialising in gin.

The Venue will hold its first heat for Search for the Star on Sunday, February 15, and the grand final will be in May, with a £1,000 prize for the winner.

Mr Wray, who used to work for pub and bar operator Punch Taverns and runs a licensing training company, said: "The competition is for singers, for musicians — it's not for bands.

"We'll be looking at the talent of the singers and stage presence.

"There will be a prize for the winner of the heats. What we are also looking for is someone who has got some real good singing talent that we could even book to appear here."

The heats will take place on Sunday afternoons, between 3pm and 7pm, and organisers expect 10 to 12 people in each who will perform two songs.

Individual singers, duos and musicians — from guitarists to saxophonists — can enter and the heat winners will be decided by a mix of judge and audience vote.

Mr Wray, who runs the bar with Dave Holmes — landlord of the Crofters Arms and the Claremont Arms, both in Halliwell Road, as well as The D Havilland Club, Farnworth — expects 80 to 120 people will enter the heat rounds of the contest, followed by a semi-final and final.

The bar regularly plays host to professional performers and tribute acts, including soul and Motown singer Edwin Dukes and Harry Cambridge, as Luther Vandross.

It attracts a range of ages, from 25 up to an older clientele.

Search for the Star is open to amateur singers, aged over 25, and entrants must contact The Venue via the website to register, thevenuebarbolton.com.