PASSERS-BY cannot fail to notice that the stage is being built for the Octagon's most exciting opening night yet.

This latest video and images shows how the multi-million pound transformation of the Octagon Theatre is progressing.

And people can once again help continue the story of the theatre and contribute to the final fundraising push.

So far the windows of the bar have been removed and the roof has been raised ­— literally.

The work has meant the closure of the pavement and part of the road in front of the building in Howell Croft South.

Part of the theatre has been demolished and will be rebuilt to make a more accessible theatre and one which meets modern day needs of audience and the production theme.

The new theatre will transform the building, update backstage facilities, increase accessibility and much more

The £10 million Octagon Reimagined project is the first part of the town’s masterplan which aims to transform the building, update backstage facilities and increase accessibility.

The majority of the £10 million has already been secured from Bolton Council and Arts Council England along with trust and foundations, businesses and major donors but there is still an ongoing fundraising campaign.

When the Octagon Theatre opened in the town centre 51 years ago it was the first theatre to be built in the North West since the Second World War, it not only received amazing support from Bolton Council but from the people of Bolton who helped raise the £95,000 it cost to build it brick by brick – at 12 and a half-pence a time.

Now people can again buy bricks to help fund the project and continue the Octagon story. Brick 'packages' are priced from £50.

The Octagon’s box office, café and theatre groups moved to the Market Place Shopping Centre in June.

The theatre is set to reopen in early 2020.

Now people can again buy bricks to help fund the project and continue the Octagon story. Brick 'packages' are priced from £50.

The different packages come with various benefits.

To support the project visit https://octagonbolton.co.uk/octagon-reimagined/