A BAR which has been closed for a year will re-open tonight — with a mission to breathe fresh life into Bolton town centre.

The new owners of Chic in Nelson Square have spent £80,000 on a revamp.

Giuseppe Granata, who bought the business, hopes to bring people back in the evenings after a series of violent incidents.

During 48 hours in July there were five stabbings in Bolton, which Mr Granata believes have affected the town’s nightlife, along with the credit crunch.

Paul Gilligan, aged 31, was stabbed to death at the former Pepper Alley pub in Crown Street on July 13. The day before, a man, aged 24, was stabbed in Chorley Old Road in a row over cigarettes and a 19-year-old was stabbed in the neck, also in Chorley Old Road.

There was another stabbing involving two brothers, and a man was treated for stab wounds by medical staff in an incident not reported to the police.

Figures released in August revealed there had been 114 incidents involving knives in Bolton over the previous year.

Mr Granata, who already owns Vogue, a bar in Bradshawgate, said: “The stabbings have had an impact, the town is quieter.

“I think there are fewer people coming into town. I think the older people especially aren’t coming in as much. I don’t think it’s just that though, it’s the economy the, credit crunch and lots of things. We want people to know they can still come in town and have fun and be safe.

“We want to start bringing people back into Bolton, in particular the older crowd.”

Tonight’s VIP opening of Chic is invitation-only and will include a champagne reception to celebrate the launch of the bar.

The event will be held between 8pm and 10pm, when the doors will open to the public. The bar’s usual opening nights will be Friday and Saturday.