PLANS to build a new multi-storey car park in Bolton town centre have taken another step forward.

Town hall bosses have announced that a contractor will now be sought to demolish the former Wayne Walker meat store and the adjacent Motorcycle Mega Store at the junction with Trinity Street and Bradshawgate.

Bolton Council wants to demolish the two buildings to make way for its Trinity Gateway scheme, which includes proposals for a multi-storey car park, hotel and offices.

The new car park is expected to be one of the first projects to go ahead in the authority’s £1 billion regeneration of the town centre.

NCP were appointed in September to carry out initial scoping work at the site and a development agreement is now being finalised.

Demolition work is expected to take place early 2018 and a planning application for the multi-storey car park is expected to be submitted soon after.

The council bought the land where Wayne Walker is sited after it was advertised for sale last year.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Cliff Morris, said: “This is an exciting first step of our ambitious town centre masterplan and the first stage of our Trinity Gateway vision.

“We want to transform a key gateway into Bolton town centre and support the wider redevelopment we are seeing across the town.

“Creating a modern car park will cater for that side of town, near the new interchange and also the University of Bolton’s new business school on Great Moor Street.”