Changes and exciting new events are on the menu as Bolton welcomes a new year and decade. Daniel Hopkins reports on all the things to look out for in the coming 12 months.

AS a New Year dawns upon us and throws open a brand new 365 days in which anything can happen, a new decade too has reared its head.

Exactly 100 years ago, the 1920s began and came to be known as the ‘roaring twenties’, in which Western countries enjoyed economic prosperity and distinct technological advances.

Bolton Council will be hoping that 2020 and the new decade will bring similar prosperity and an all-round feel good factor. The town’s billion-pound masterplan will begin to take shape over the course of the year, with regeneration projects across the town beginning to bloom and finish.

The project will see five key areas around Bolton receive huge funding and parts of the town centre dramatically change in what the council hopes will allow the changing face of the high street to be revitalised.

Crompton Place Shopping Centre and the surrounding areas could see a complete overhaul, with a hotel, housing and office spaces earmarked for construction.

Two blocks of 144 apartments, 30,000 sq ft of office space and a 505-space multi-storey car park are set to be built at the Trinity Gateway site and should be completed by January 2022, with work set to begin this year.

Additionally, the former magistrates’ court in Le Mans Crescent is set to be converted into a luxury hotel operated by an “internationally-recognised firm”, likely to be revealed this year.

The Octagon Theatre is also set to throw open its doors to a refurbished building, which will include updated backstage facilities, increased accessibility and space for more community work.

A new cafe and bar will open early until late, serving food and drink in what is hoped will become a creative and social hub for Bolton.

Octagon Theatre artistic director, Lotte Wakeham said: “We are all very eager for the re-opening of the Octagon Theatre next year and will be announcing the details of our opening season with audiences in the New Year. We are planning a series of opening celebrations to take place over the summer ahead of our first full production in the autumn.

“Plus, we have our brand-new production of Shirley Valentine starring Mina Anwar in February at the Library Theatre, so there will be a wonderful array of exciting events and productions for our audiences to look forward to in 2020.”

The £10 million project is set to be completed within the first few months of the year.

Nationally, while Boris Johnson and the Conservatives are only in their early days of government, following their crushing election win on December 12, the Prime Minister has promised changes and cash to the North which could see change in Bolton.

Mark Logan, who won a landmark victory in Bolton North East after unseating Labour veteran Sir David Crausby, said that he planned to drive investment into the town centre and get plans for a tram extension to the town up and running.

Earlier in December, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that Greater Manchester’s Metrolink system would be coming to Bolton by 2022, with the government providing millions of pounds to extend the tram network to Bolton and Stockport.

Mr Shapps had said: “These plans will change the face of local transport in towns and cities across the country.

“They will kickstart the transformation of services so they match those in London, ensuring more frequent and better services, more electrification and modern buses.

“A Conservative majority government will deliver the transport investment that our towns and cities need.”

Mr Johnson’s pledge to increase police numbers by 20,000 will see a boost to Greater Manchester Police’s numbers.

Bolton currently has around 400 police officer posts which includes frontlines officers and neighbourhood police.