A HOTEL, offices and multi-storey car park could be built in Bolton town centre following the completion of the £48 million transport interchange.

Plans are being drawn up to develop the junction of Trinity Street and Bradshawgate and transform it into the ‘Trinity Gateway’ to the town.

Bolton Council bought the land on which the former Wayne Walker meat store stands after it was advertised for sale last October. The business announced its closure earlier this month.

The local authority stressed that it only approached the company after the land was put up for sale.

Empty land surrounding the site, which is owned by Gordon Moon Associates, has also been acquired by council chiefs as part of the development plan.

Bolton Council has paid around £1.5 million for the site to create the 40,000 sq ft leisure and business project.

It is modelled on a similar scheme which has been developed in Stockport.

Leader of Bolton Council Cllr Cliff Morris said: “We want to transform a key gateway into Bolton town centre and support the wider redevelopment that we’re seeing in the town.

“Work on the £48 million interchange is nearing completion and when it opens commuters will benefit from a modern transport hub.

“The current train station car park has also closed and Network Rail is starting work on Platform Five later this month. Together with electrification set to start at the end of this year, this will mean additional, improved rail services for our residents.

“But it also means that there will be more demand for parking and we need to have infrastructure – like a car park - in place to ensure we are ready.

“The Octagon car park is nearing capacity and we’re also thinking ahead to Bolton Central – the new office block – opening on Great Moor Street.”

A planning application is expected to be submitted during the summer, and subject to approval, work on the car park – to be built next to the train station – could start later this year.

National Car Parks currently operate other multi-storey car parks in Bolton and discussions are under way with them about this site.

Cllr Morris said: “We are gauging interest with hoteliers and we know that there is huge office demand in Bolton.

“We had so much interest in Bolton Central and we will be building this office block speculatively – like we did with Bolton Central – as we are confident that the demand is there.”

Bolton Interchange, being built next to to the railway station, will replace the existing Moor Lane bus station when it opens later this year.

The interchange is being delivered by Transport for Greater Manchester in partnership with Bolton Council. And Cllr Morris says the transport improvements will continue to see visitor numbers rise and become an attractive alternative to Manchester city centre.

He said: “We have some good walks around Bolton, including Rivington Pike, and all the countryside, and we also have the benefits of the town centre, including the new cinema. There are a lot of good things happening in Bolton.”

The council hopes to develop the other ‘gateways’ to the town, including the opposite side of Bradshawgate and the Bank Street area.

Cllr Morris added: “We are trying to get the gateways working so when you drive into Bolton you get a good impression.

“Visitor numbers are up so the town centre is thriving, but there is still a lot more to do and we are not saying everything is as it should be.

“We want to get Newport Street done and the interchange open.”

Cllr Andrew Fender, chairman of the TfGM committee, added: “This development is fantastic news for Bolton.

“In other parts of Greater Manchester we have seen how investment in transport helps to attract employment and leisure opportunities to an area and it’s great to hear there are already high levels of confidence to support further redevelopment in the town centre.”