The £250m redevelopment of Crompton Place shopping centre is said to be an “important piece” of the town centre “jigsaw”. 

Planning permission was granted on July 9 to demolish Crompton Place, beginning with the part of the shopping centre which faces Victoria Square, before moving to the Bradshawgate side.

Plans for the site includes a 110-bedroom hotel, 150 homes, office space, and a mixed-use retail, leisure, dining and events space, dubbed “Bolton Works”, designed for independent retailers and food operators and a dedicated space for small business start-ups.

It also promises to provide a predominantly pedestrianised environment with a new walkway connecting Bradshawgate to Victoria Square for the first time.

Earlier this year, council bosses said talks were underway to relocate retailers currently based in Crompton Place, including Boots and Primark, elsewhere in Bolton while work takes place.

In July councillors welcomed the demolition of the building and described the redevelopment plans as an “important piece of the jigsaw” for the town.

The work lies at the heart of the council’s £1.5bn town centre masterplan.