BOLTON’S new Market Place shopping centre enjoyed a bumper first week.

Manager Rod Neasham said an unprecedented number of people had passed through the doors since the reopening last Wednesday.

Although visitor and turnover figures are not yet available, car park statistics show that 8,500 vehicles used the centre’s multi-storey in the first seven days of trading — an increase on average figures of 25 per cent.

Mr Neasham said: “It’s been very busy.

“We were concerned about opening on a Tuesday and thought it would be a challenge.

“But we were delighted with the response we’ve had. Sales have been well above expectations.

“We’ve had a lot of new visitors to the town in response to the extensive advertising we have done.

“Shoppers who came to Bolton in the past are now returning and, hopefully, retailers inside and outside of the Market Place are seeing the benefit.”

A £40 million, 18-month project transformed the old Market Hall into a modern retail space, attracting High Street names such as Zara, H&M, Starbucks and Lush to Bolton for the first time.

Mr Neasham said the number of people walking out of stores weighed down with shopping bags underlined that the first week had been a success.

Two new shops are set to open in the next month.

Designer sportswear shop, Foot Asylum, will open on the upper level and historical gift shop, Past Times.

Prince Edward will visit the Market Place next Tuesday to unveil a commemorative plaque.