THE first businesses to move in to the iconic Beales building in Bolton town centre could open early next year. JOSEPH TIMAN reports on the retailers ready for business in the historic building.

Two businesses could move in to the former Beales department store as early as March next year.

A new dessert parlour is one of the retailers which could open in the historic building if an application is approved.

Menswear retailer Slaters is also set to move from its current premises in Oxford Street to a neighbouring unit in the former department store by April.

READ MORE: The history of the town centre's iconic Beales building

Beales, which operated from the Grade II listed building, closed on New Year’s Eve nearly two years ago and has been vacant ever since.

A planning application for a change of use in part of the ground floor from a retail shop to a dessert café has now been submitted to the council.

The applicant, Ish Ahmed of Great Harwood in Lancashire, is a franchisee looking to open the 12th Heavenly Dessert parlour in the UK.

If approved, the new dessert parlour could create 10 to 15 new jobs in the town centre.

The application states: “Heavenly desserts parlours are very popular and will be a welcomed addition to the city.”

The menu, which is described as “irresistable, elegant and innovative”, includes Ferrero Rocher Cookie Dough, Blueberry Maple Syrup Pancakes and Brownie Explosions.

The proposed unit would occupy a space of 156 square metres on the north west corner of the building, with windows facing Deansgate and Howell Croft North.

No external alterations are proposed except for new signage which promises to be sensitive to the building’s style and history.

The opening hours for the new dessert parlour would be 11am until 11pm with no later night opening or alcohol served.

No cooking will be carried out on site other than the making of crepes and waffles.

The internal area of the unit will be fitted out by Heavenly Desserts as part of their “luxury dessert experience”.

Heavenly Desserts opened its first store more than 10 years ago in Derby and has other outlets in Blackburn, Preston and Liverpool.

Further outlets are also due to open in Manchester, Chester and Sheffield.

According to the planning application, the estate agent says that the unit has been on the market for 18 months.

Adil Bashir, project designer at Plan It Design, who submitted the application on Mr Ahmed’s behalf, said that, if approved, the café should open in the first quarter of next year.

He said: “I would have said March or April as a target. They do move quickly. They are the pioneers of the dessert parlour concept.”

The Bolton branch of Slaters is also due to move in to the iconic building next year with the handover for the unit expected to take place in February.

Members of staff at the menswear retailer in Oxford Street have been telling customers that the move will be complete by April.

Slater Menswear is a family-run business started in 1904 in Glasgow by Samuel Slater is now run by his grandson, Paul Slater who is the company’s managing director.

The UK-based retailer has 26 stores across England, Wales and Scotland including in Preston, Manchester and Liverpool.

Acting chairman of Bolton Civic Trust, Richard Shirres, welcomed the news that businesses may be moving in to the historic building adding that the it must be done sensitively.

He said: “We welcome repurposed buildings. It’s a valuable building for the town centre.We welcome it because it means that the building is preserved.”