FOOD and drink fans will be raising a glass tomorrow to celebrate the first anniversary of The Vaults opening its doors.

March 17 not only marks St Patrick’s Day, but also one year since the Market Place’s refurbished vaults welcomed its first customers.

In the12 months since the launch, the venue has proved hugely popular and has succeeded in its aim of attracting more people into the town centre.

COMPETITION: Win a night out at The Vaults, Bolton

Prezzo and Great Ale — the first attractions to move into the Market Place hub — will be marking the occasion in true Irish style with some special entertainment and competitions throughout the day.

The real ale bar will be offering customers some exclusive green beer as well as hosting live music, and its owners have much to celebrate after a stellar year.

Anne Simms, who owns the bar with husband Steve, said: “It has been a great year and this place has really exceeded our expectations.

“We were aiming to have a strong Christmas, but it was the Bank Holiday during the Food and Drink Festival in August last year that was really incredible. We had people queuing all the way back to the escalators for a drink.

“Easter weekend set us up really well just after we opened and it has just continued to improve since then.

“Our aim has always been to keep people in Bolton. We have a great staff here and it feels like a real family.”

Great Ale and Prezzo have been joined in The Vaults by Pepe’s Grill, Nando’s, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Baltic Cellar, and the Eagle and Child pop-up restaurant — as well as the Amazonia adventure golf and play centre.

And there is more exciting news to come — The Bank steakhouse and grill will open on April 1, taking over the area temporarily occupied by the Eagle and Child.

The centre’s bosses are also hopeful that a new cocktail and wine bar will be opening next to Pepe’s in time for the Bolton Food and Drink Festival in August.

Nikki Wilson-Cook, centre manager, said: “It doesn’t feel like it has been a year at all, the time has absolutely flown by.

“Our footfall across the centre is continuing to grow and we are delighted with that.

“The cinema is a really different experience to what a lot of people are used to, and we are getting really good feedback from customers there.

“Our retailers have generally been trading really well and I think we now have a really good mix of stores that is driving more people into the town centre.

“There is nothing but good news at the moment.”

Eva Hadjuk, manager of Prezzo, added: “There has been a huge change in the last year.

“I remember coming in here fore the first time when there was only us and the bar. It was a bit cold and there were a lot of empty spaces.

“But I loved the interior and since that day is has got better and better. I think it is a pretty special place.

“We had a strong opening last year but then it went a bit quiet because people didn’t know we were here, but it really picked up again when the cinema opened.”

Adding to the party atmosphere, the Market Place will be inviting St Patrick’s Day enthusiasts to upload their Irish-themed selfies to Facebook for a chance to win two prizes from Prezzo and Great Ale.

Competition winners will receive a gift box from Great Ale, containing three bottles of real ale, and a meal for two with a glass of Prosecco at Prezzo. The competition is open to anyone over the age of 18, between tomorrow and Sunday, with the winners to be announced on Monday.