APPROVAL has been granted for a hotel and car park complex to replace the iconic Palais de Danse building.

Councillors voted in favour of the application to demolish the dilapidated building which has formerly been Cinderella Rockerfella’s, Ritzy’s and latterly a nightclub known as Ikon and Jumping Jacks.

It will be replaced with a 150-bed hotel complete with roof bar and a 400-space car park to serve the nearby Market Place Shopping Centre.

Tim Vaughan, of developer Moorgath which is partner company to Inception Holdings and has submitted the proposal, spoke in support.

He said: “This is a gateway site, there has already been huge investment into the development to the north of the site and this is a statement site which will compliment the facilities in the Market Place.

“It will enhance the night time economy and will be useful and exciting.

It is a great opportunity to enhance this location further so we can help the regeneration of the town and wider area.”

Bolton Council received 29 objections to the application.

Objectors believed the iconic building, built in 1929, should be protected.

A petition signed by 3,000 people was also submitted to Bolton Council.

However councillors welcomed the proposal.

Cllr Nick Peel said: “Time has moved on. Dance halls are not what they used to be and the nature of night time economy has changed.

“I think the application should be approved and it will represent a great regeneration scheme and will compliment the work that is already happening.”

Cllr Linda Thomas said: “It’s very sad that there is no possibility that it can return to what a lot of people signed the petition for — to be returned to its former glory, but we have to be realistic. “When you look at it now it doesn’t enhance the town, it’s basically been stripped of a lot of things that we could have suggested be kept

“What is the way forward to regenerate the town.”

Cllr Sean Hornby suggested photographs be put on display to “preserve” the building’s memories.

Cllr Mudasir Dean suggested the name “Palais” be incorporated into the development.