AN IMAGE of Bolton's proposed new £75,000 town centre children’s play area has been revealed.

The picture shows how the facility, which will be built in Octagon Square, could look when completed.

Last week Bolton Council confirmed it was planning to create the new play area in front of the Lever Chambers health centre.

The plans have been welcomed by some traders near to the site, but others say it could potentially be bad for business.

Bolton’s famous brightly-coloured elephants, which have been in Newport Street since 2007, will be moving to the new play area as part of the council’s £3 million plans to revamp the entire Newport Street thoroughfare.

The iconic elephants, which were designed and named as Ellie, Elner and Mr Jackbow by schoolchildren, will take pride of place next to a range of new equipment which could include a Playtrail, like the one pictured.

The council is considering purchasing an all-in-one structure manufactured by Sutcliffe Play, which incorporates slides, climbing frames and walkways.

The elephant theme will be enhanced by the creation of a fun aluminium spring mobile for children to play on.

There are also plans for a “Bolton style bin” and a timber bench for parents to sit on while their youngsters play.

The proposed play area, which would have disabled access all around, would be surrounded by a bow top style fence measuring 1.2 metres in height with self-closing gates at either end.

A spokesman for Sutcliffe Play said: “We would be delighted to see one of our Playzone, Play Trail Units included in the new play area installation within the Bolton town centre redevelopment.”

The plans have not gone down well with some traders operating in and near to Octagon Square, who have claimed that the play area could affect their businesses.

Pamela Clegg, who runs The Bra Shop, said: “I am totally opposed to this idea, I think it will bring the whole area down.

“There are a lot of people who come this way, including people on mobility scooters, who I think will be nervous about coming around here if this goes ahead. They will struggle to get through.”

Neighbouring trader Ejazi Ahmed, who runs the Octagon Sports store, added: “I don’t think there will be much room for people to get past it.

“It is also close to a road where taxis and ambulances pull up which could be dangerous. It would be better if they used the space as a run on for the ambulances getting to the health centre.”

Conservative councillor John Walsh has now agreed to meet with the traders to discuss their concerns but maintains that something should be done with what is an “underused space.”

He added: “I have said previously that it is a sensible idea and I think it is but the scale and significance needs to be properly assessed.

“The area will need to be properly policed to make sure that the businesses which operate in the area will not be adversely affected.”

Consultation will continue on the plans, which will be debated by the council’s planning committee.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: “We are looking to rehouse the elephants to Octagon Square due to the £3 million revamp of Newport Street.

“As part of the planning process we will consult with all affected businesses and they will have the opportunity to put forward their comments.”