THE latest plans for the £4.5 million revamp of Bolton Market have been revealed.

After announcing the scheme late last year, Bolton Council has now revised its proposals after traders told council chiefs they did not like original plans to split the market in two.

The outside market will now remain on the site, although it will be moved to the other side of the indoor market, where deliveries currently take place.

Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris said: “We have listened to what traders and the public had to say about our plans and we have changed them.

“I think what we have now is an even better plan, which will provide a real boost to the market.

“It is exciting times for the market.”

The original plan had been to place the outside market away from the indoor market on the Octagon surface level car park in Great Moor Street.

But the idea was thrown out after a consultation exercise with shoppers and traders. As well as the new outdoor market, there will be a handful of stalls opposite Ashburner Street. This will mean people can see the outdoor market from Ashburner Street.

Plans to repair the roof and add a new modern glass entrance to the south side of the market remain the same.

The entrance to the market car park will also be changed, so cars will enter the site from Moor Lane.

Bolton Market was last year named BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards Best Food Market.

Council bosses will spend £3 million on general refurbishment and infrastructure and £440,000 will be used to create the new glassfronted entrance to the market.

More than £300,000 will be invested in roof repairs and £750,000 will be spent creating the new outdoor market.

The market has the turnover of a mediumsized food store and provides the equivalent of 325 full time jobs.

There are about 300 coach trips to the market each year from outside Bolton, which has grown from 50 trips in 2008.

Work on the market will start early next year and be finished in time for Christmas, 2013.

The plans could still be changed and the council said it would continue to consult with traders.