BOLTON’S retail offering has had a massive shot in the arm in recent weeks with the announcement of a number of major shops set to open in the town.

Middlebrook Retail Park announced four new stores are set to open in the coming weeks and months, including a TGI Fridays restaurant.

Card Factory, Tapi Carpets and the region’s first Thomas Cook Discovery Store are also set to open.

And this week Market Place followed suit announcing Hotel Chocolat and Bolton Bangers are set to open imminently at the town centre shopping centre.

Thousands of people reacted to the news, with hundreds sharing the individual stories on social media.

Reacting to news of the new openings at Market Place, Westhoughtonlad said: “Two good additions.... will be sampling both in the next few weeks.”

Hotel Chocolat, in particular, was a popular addition to the town for many readers.

Jennifer Morgan said: “Can hardly wait, love Hotel Chocolat.”

Liz McNab said: “That’s my Christmas presents sorted!”

Other readers were more pessimistic.

Craig North said: “Only another 200 empty shop units to fill in town now.”

Reacting to the new stores at Middlebrook more than 350 people liked the news on Facebook and more than 150 people commented on the story.

There was a lot of excitement from readers about the TGI Fridays opening. One commenter said: “All I can say is well done to the management company in charge of the Middlebrook for making such a huge success when others are failing drastically.”

However, many commenters expressed fears the openings at Middlebrook could negatively affect the town centre.

Commenting online, Jimiley said: “Another nail in the town centre coffin.”

But another reader said: “Without Middlebrook, the shoppers would just have gone to the Trafford Centre depriving the town of business rates income and jobs."

n What do you think of the plans and what shops would you like to see open in Bolton?