CAMPAIGNERS have expressed their relief after plans to cut into the front of Bolton Town Hall were scrapped.

The council had originally proposed to create a restaurant and cafe either side of the town hall steps, with outdoor seating areas created by cutting into the facade of the Grade II listed building.

But following a public outcry over the plans from campaigners and residents the council scrapped the plan in favour of a new vision for regenerating the iconic building.

The focus will now be on creating a cafe-bar inside the town hall and upgrading the wedding and function facilities.

The front of the town hall will now remain untouched — although it will still be necessary to altered the north side of the building to create disabled access.

The campaign against the original scheme, which was announced in February, has been spearheaded by the Bolton and District Civic Trust.

Chairman Richard Shirres said: “Knocking holes in the town hall frontage was never a good idea.

“We are pleased if the council has truly drawn back from this, but we do wonder at the calibre of thinking behind the original proposals and we believe the council has been ill-advised.

“The Civic Trust has had to expend its limited resources and voluntary time to confront this — if only those resources could have been used for other positive outcomes.

“The quality of the town depends on the quality of thinking. We hope there are lessons to be learned from this.”

Astley Bridge councillor John Walsh also spoke out about the plans.

He said: “I am very happy that the front facade of the town hall will not be damaged or altered.

“I had always believed there was an opportunity to do something inside the building but I think it is important to bring the right person in to operate the cafe-bar that has been proposed.

“Yes it is an important venue and can be used for events such as weddings, but it can’t price itself out of the market.

"As a pre-requisite it should meet the demand of the people and that means things like draught beer, served quickly, at a price people can afford.

“The important thing for me is that the exterior is not being badly affected — the interior is important too but that can be changed back."

He added: "Whoever came up with the original plan, they clearly did not gauge the importance of that building to the people of Bolton.

“The original consultation was a farce and if the public reaction had been recognised earlier then the Civic Trust would not have been put through such a difficult time.”