A THIRD store has moved across town from Crompton Place to the Market Place, as its ambitious £19 million revamp gathers pace.

Footwear giant Clarks is the latest shop to move following New Look and Scotts — attracted by plans for restaurants, bars and a cinema at the larger of the two centres.

Crompton Place also faces uncertainty over the future of flagship store BHS after the business went into administration last month.

But a spokesman for Crompton Place said that businesses were still being attracted to their shopping centre and announcements on new tenants would soon be made.

Clarks store manager Kelly Maguire, who has moved to Bolton to run the new shop, said: “It is unfortunate for the other centre but this is where the buzz is, this is where everything is happening. I was walking out of the centre at 9.30pm last night and loads of people were coming in to go for dinner or a drink — it is really exciting.”

She added: “Some of the staff who had been in Crompton Place for a while were obviously sad to say goodbye but everyone is really excited to be in this new, modern shop.”

Assistant manager Chloe Barker, who has worked in the Crompton Place store for five years, added: “This is definitely the right move.

Change is good but we are really pleased to keep Clarks in Bolton and to be part of this exciting development.”

Crompton Place manager Paula Wood insisted that businesses were still choosing to set up shop in the centre.

She said: “Over the past 18 months we have welcomed five new tenants to Crompton Place, including fashion retailer Select at the start of the year.

“Although Clarks is leaving the shopping centre, Crompton Place is now 93 per cent let and we look forward to being able to announce new tenants to add to the retail and leisure offering in the near future.”

Market Place is currently going through a major £19 million redevelopment by owners Moorgarth — which has already seen key restaurants like Nando’s and Prezzo open in its refurbished Victorian vaults.

The centre is also set to open a new nine-screen cinema complex by the end of the summer — another blow to its rival centre.

Back in 2014, Crompton Place was awarded planning permission for a similar scheme to create an 11-screen multiplex on its site, as well as a range of bars and restaurants.

But while no progress has been made on that proposal, centre bosses have had to watch the multi-million pound redevelopment across town take shape.

Gourmet Burger Kitchen and El Mexicana are the next restaurants due to open in the vaults in the next few months.

Market Place manager Nikki Wilson-Cook said: “It is absolutely fabulous news that a firm like Clarks has opened up in the centre.

“We are delighted to welcome them and to see their brilliant new store, which is very family focused and fits with what we want to offer.

“It is key for us that as well as having a great food and leisure offer for people we continue to have top retailers operating in the centre — it is really exciting times.”