Demolition at Church Wharf has entered its final stage, as work continues to prepare the town centre site for future redevelopment.

Bolton Council set aside some of a £100 million investment to take ownership of a number of properties at Church Wharf around two years ago - including the former Wharf Foundry.

The Bolton News:

The preparation of the site earmarked for development started with the demolition of the properties on Bank Street and Manor Street, like Club Ice and the Late Club.

It progressed to the area between these streets and the A666, a process which the authorities said is almost complete.

The Bolton News:

The leader of Bolton Council, Martyn Cox, climbed to the top of the Parish Church for an aerial view of the work.

He said: "It is clear how much has been achieved at this site over recent months and it was great to see the Church Wharf regeneration area beginning to take shape.

"Without the intervention of the council, many buildings in this part of town would have remained derelict and unused, now we are laying the groundwork for an exciting new neighbourhood."

READ MORE: Bolton: Higher Bridge Street and Topp Way plan progresses.

The plan for Church Wharf approved around four years ago included up to 352 homes, both apartments and houses, as well as floorspace for commercial and leisure opportunities.

The demolition work is being carried out by Forshaw Demolition and the latest development marks a major milestone for Church Wharf, which occupies a riverside location and acts as a key gateway to the north-east of the town centre. 

Church Wharf is one of six intervention areas set out in the council’s masterplan for the town centre.

It is one of several so-called intervention areas in the regeneration of the town centre, as set out by the Bolton Town Centre Masterplan, of which other examples include Cheadle Square, Crompton Place, Croal Valley and Trinity Square. There are also schemes outside these intervention areas, which are all at different stages, such as Bolton Library and the Wellsprings Building.

READ MORE: Little Lever's old Creams Mill site development given approval.

Cllr Cox added: "Church Wharf is just one of the areas where we are working to regenerate the town centre, revitalising brownfield land and adapting to changing consumer habits.

"Right across the town centre we are working to create a mix of residential, retail, hospitality and leisure developments to make Bolton a more vibrant place to live, work and visit."