Moves to relocate Primark ahead of major town centre redevelopments have taken another step forward.

Earlier this year the clothing retail giant announced that it was planning to move its store from Crompton Place to The Market Place shopping centre into the unit left empty by the national closure of Debenhams.

Plans have now been submitted for the new Primark signage.

Bolton Council deputy leader Cllr Akhtar Zaman said: “I think its fair to say that the way things are shaping up in Bolton town centre, our retail offer is going to focus around the Market Place.

“And I think Primark moving to the Market Place is going to give the people of Bolton much more choice under one roof rather than people having to go from one side of town to the other."

The Bolton News: The plans have been put before Bolton CouncilThe plans have been put before Bolton Council (Image: Wren)

He added: “Once Crompton Place is vacated of all the existing tenants it makes it much easier for the council to realise our plans for it.”

These plans include the large scale redevelopment of Crompton Place and Victoria Square and the creation of new pedestrianised ways through the square and on to Bradshawgate.

The Bolton News: The space has been empty since Debenhams closedThe space has been empty since Debenhams closed (Image: Newsquest)

Bolton Council leader Cllr Nick Peel said that this would be one of the biggest opportunities for the town centre in many years.

He said: “As soon as the Crompton Place building is vacated I want, subject to the building being available, to immediately start with detonation.

“We’re talking about two years from now by which time contractors should be in place.”

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He added: “All of these opportunities are going to present themselves and it is incredibly exiting.”

But Cllr Peel also said that the Primark move in itself would have a major effect, coming after the space had been left vacant since the closure of Debenhams in early 2021.

He said: “Primark is a marquee tenant that will help attract thousands more shoppers to the Market Place.”

The plans for the new signage were put before Bolton Council on Tuesday September 12 and are set to be decided upon by Tuesday November 7 this year.

Estimated date of the move is late 2024/early 2025 dependent on construction works.