Scheme to transform old Zac's Youth Bar, Farnworth approved

The old Zac’s Youth Bar, on Market Street in Farnworth town centre, has been vacant since the charity moved out in 2022.

But now plans to transform the building with a new shop front, office space and living area have been given the go-ahead.

Cllr Nadeem Ayub, of Farnworth North, said: “It’s great to see that the old tax office will soon be brought back into the use, especially if its going to be for commercial use.

“This goes hand in hand with the wider regeneration plans that we have for Farnworth town centre, with new businesses, housing and community spaces all part of that plan.

The plans have been approved by Bolton Council (Image: Mojo Architecture)

“So its always good to see more activity and more commercial units coming into Farnworth.”

The Market Street building has served various purposes over the years having previously been a tax office, a wine bar, a place of worship and a youth centre from 2008 to 2022.

Earlier this year, in January, a separate scheme to transform the old building into four new flats with a new shop front was withdrawn by developers.

But the latest plans aim to create new business space on the ground floor to be leased out while opening out the building with a new shop front and creating a flat above.

These were put before Bolton Council on Wednesday February 21 this year and as of May the authority has decided to approve them.

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Planning officers said that they felt this would fit in well with how the rest of the area around Market Street is already used by various businesses.

A report said: “The proposed new shop front is in keeping with neighbouring retail units and will not have an undue impact on the character and appearance of the building or the street scene.

“A condition has been added to restrict opening hours to daytime and evenings.

“The amendments required to facilitate the creation of the residential unit, including the demolition of the existing extension and installation of fenestration and the boundary treatment will be at the rear of the building and will have no impact on the character and appearance of the building or the street scene.”