Bolton's Labour council fights back on £300,000 grant to Bolton law firm, Asons

Labour’s Nick Peel has questioned the decision by bosses at Russell and Russell solicitors to question the Asons grant decision and argued that it has also received financial assistance from the council, linked to the opening of a new premises in Newport Street.

But partners at Russell and Russell have completely refuted this claim and stated that the only form of help they have had was in the shape of a new sign and shutters, which they were forced to have as part of the council’s £3 million renovation of Newport Street.

Cllr Peel, who said he was not involved in the Asons grant decision, said: “In view of the fact Russell and Russell have had grant assistance in the tens of thousands of pounds from the council, I wonder if they would reconsider their criticism of the Asons grant?

“They have opened up a new base as part of the Newport Street refurbishment and have had a new shop front fitted by the council.”

He added: “The council has a policy of helping businesses in our town and we have shown this on other occasions, like when Bolton Wanderers were struggling financially and also with Beales.”

But Judith Bromley, managing partner at Russell and Russell rejected Cllr Peel’s claims.

She said: “We are very confused by what Cllr Peel is saying, we have agreed a 10-year lease with a private landlord in Newport Street and completely refurbished the premises ourselves.

“The only thing the council did was put a sign up and a shutter, but we didn’t actually have a choice about that, they wanted everyone in Newport Street to do it.

She added: “The reason we chose to move to Newport Street was because of the new transport interchange and we actually would have preferred to put our own sign up, but the council insisted.”

Cllr Peel also suggested that the council is set to make a major announcement in the next week which will show that the council is committed to bringing business into Bolton.