ASONS Solicitors is set to move into the former home of The Bolton News this summer — after it shelved plans to create a futuristic £8 million base.

The firm, currently located in Bark Street, is expected to relocate to Newspaper House in Churchgate in August.

The Bolton News moved from Newspaper House to its current home at The Wellsprings, Victoria Square in October, 2012.

Asons initially planned to create its new headquarters on the site of the former Bolton College building in Clarence Street in 2013, but the move was scrapped after the company blamed changes made to personal injury claims by Chancellor George Osborne.

It has withdrawn its involvement in the Clarence Street site, and Bolton Council says it hopes the area will be taken on for a future development.

The company has ambitions plans for the 25,130 sq ft, four storey site at Newspaper House, with a rooftop garden, a restaurant, state-of-the-art meeting pods and other high specification staff facilities in the pipeline.

Redevelopment work has already started, and bosses say they are excited by the relocation and that it is central to the firm's expansion plan.

Imran Akram, chief executive officer of the company, said: "It is very important to us to have made this long-term commitment to remain in Bolton and for us to remain a part of the town’s own exciting growth plans.

"Legislation changes meant that last year was a particularly turbulent time for the legal industry but we have come through that in the strongest position we’ve ever been."

The Government has pledged to remove personal injury claims of up to £5,000 to the small claims court, in comparison to the current figure of £1,000, and abolish claims for 'minor' whiplash.

Mr Akram added: "We’re in a very solid position financially with a fantastic team in place, a new corporate vision and renewed focus."

The firm also hopes that its relocation will create more jobs in the long term, after what it calls a "brief period of consolidation".

Asons says it has already taken on several key staff to work at its new home, including a new marketing manager.

It has also recently launched a new immigration service, Avisa UK, as the firm drives forward with its plan to become one of the leading full-service law firms in the region.

Kamran Akram, principal director of Asons, said: "It has always been our goal to be the best and this move gets us closer to that. Other options were explored to an advanced stage but this opportunity presents the perfect opportunity for Asons, our employees and the calibre of talent we want to attract."

Cllr Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council added: "We are delighted that Asons are moving into the heart of the town centre, especially at a time when we have ambitious plans in terms of leisure, business and education, many of which are now coming to fruition.

"This news is excellent for Bolton, and will stimulate jobs and business growth. We wish Asons all the best."