A BOLTON firm is looking to ‘turn the tables’ and boost the local economy after sealing plans for a half a million pound new headquarters in the borough.

Movetech UK, based in Emblem Street, Deane, was established in 1959 and has been designing, manufacturing and installing huge turntables and other movement-based products ever since.

The company provides turntables for all sorts of uses including car showrooms and revolving stages for television and live events.

Bolton Council has approved plans for the complete redevelopment of the current site, representing a huge moment in the firm’s history.

The project will be split into several phases, with the first move — to relocate the entire office into temporary rented accommodation next to the site — already completed.

The old office building is now being demolished to make way for a larger car parking area to serve the new £500,000 headquarters.

A more up-to-date, column-free manufacturing facility will then be created on the site — with enough room to house a high-level crane.

There are also plans for new, upgraded facilities including changing rooms, toilets and a canteen.

The company was launched as ‘Bolton Turntable’ in 1959 and was founded on a single request for a car showroom turntable by John Entwistle Senior, the grandfather of current boss Tim Entwistle.

Mr Entwistle said: “Since then, Movetech UK has continued to grow and develop at a rapid pace and we have seen our portfolio of products and materials handling expertise expand beyond all recognition of the original business plan.

"With the successful planning application now in place, we can now move forward with this project, the biggest infrastructure redevelopment since the company began business."

He added: "The planned redevelopment has a proposed five year time scale and we are currently on track to achieving this target.

He added: “This is a long programme that we are anxious to complete but one that allows us to commit to our customers with minimum disruption and continue to invest in the future of our staff just as they commit to us, a partnership that has been the cornerstone of our past success and one that we must build upon for our future."