Bolton: Picture House to new drop-in centre plan approved

This comes after the council approved a scheme to turn an old vacant cinema on Bradshawgate in the town centre into a new space that will provide support for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

A proposal to convert the former Picture House building was put before the local authority by the Youth Harmony Group in November last year.

A council statement said: “The proposed use would provide a valuable service to local residents through the provision of support services and office space.

“This would make a positive social and economic contribution to the locality and would bring a long-vacant ground floor unit into use.”

The plans include a lobby, kitchen and office (Image: BWP Consultants)

It added: “Given the nature of the proposed use and its location within a busy town centre environment, it is not considered that the proposal would give rise to adverse noise and disturbance to nearby residential properties in the locality.”

But the new centre will be expected the abide by certain conditions, including that no amplified music is played on site, while the Youth Harmony Group has also confirmed that no commercial food will be prepared at the new centre.

They have also agreed that the premises will open between 9am to 4pm from Monday to Friday and will be staff by two full time workers along with three volunteers.

Once the centre is up and running, Youth Harmony Group volunteers will use the space to help young people find employment and realise their full potential in the creative arts.

This could prove especially valuable to a generation of young people entering work in the face of the mounting cos-of-living crisis and the aftershocks of the pandemic.

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The council statement said: “The activities occurring on site include a meeting place where information on housing, budgeting, benefits, and other issues can be given and discussed.”

The drop-in centre will also dovetail with other broader efforts to reinvigorate the Bradshawgate area, which has long been blighted by vacant lots and unused shops, leading to an association with crime and anti-social behaviour.

This includes plans to redevelop some of the road’s bars and other dormant spaces.