Demolition officially begins at Crompton Place in Bolton

Contractors Rhodar have moved onto site, beginning the first phase of a 50-week demolition programme that will eventually see the landmark building disappear from Bolton's skyline.

Once complete, the demolition will reopen a direct pedestrian route between Victoria Square and Bradshawgate for the first time in almost two decades.

The project will pave the way for a £200 million mixed-use development of homes, offices, hospitality venues and public spaces.

For many Bolton residents, the work signals the end of an era.

(Image: Newsquest)

Originally opened as the Bolton Arndale in the early 1970s, the shopping centre became one of the town's busiest retail destinations before being renamed Crompton Place in 1989 in honour of Bolton-born inventor Samuel Crompton.

For decades it formed the commercial heart of the town centre, home to major national retailers and independent businesses, with generations of Bolton shoppers passing through its doors.

However, changing shopping habits, the growth of online retail and declining footfall left much of the centre vacant in recent years.

Bolton says goodbye as Crompton Place demolition begin (Image: Newsquest)

Bolton Council bought the 280,000 sq ft site in 2018 for around £15 million as part of its long-term vision to regenerate the town centre.

After supporting businesses to relocate, demolition has now officially started.

Bolton Council leader Cllr Akhtar Zaman said: "Today marks the official start of the delivery phase of Bolton's biggest regeneration project in a generation.

"It is a whole new chapter for our town centre as we replace an outdated and unloved shopping centre with something everyone in Bolton can be proud of.

"Crompton Place will be a catalyst for further town centre investment, building on the many projects we have already delivered successfully."

The first stage of the project involves removing the building's interior before machinery begins the more visible task of taking down the structure itself.

A "mixed use development" has been planned for the site (Image: Bolton Council)

Specialist contractor Rhodar says it will use demolition techniques designed to reduce dust, noise and vibration while keeping disruption to a minimum in the busy town centre.

The company also expects to spend more than £1 million with local suppliers during the project and will recruit two Bolton apprentices to work on the scheme.

Tony Clarke, contracts director at Rhodar, said: "Rhodar is delighted to be working with Bolton Council as works officially commence on the demolition of Crompton Place.

"These works will be delivered through a carefully planned and phased approach, with robust measures in place to manage dust, noise and vibration, safeguard the public and neighbouring properties, and minimise disruption to the town centre.

"In addition, we are committed to creating lasting social value by supporting apprenticeships, investing in local businesses and suppliers, and engaging with the community.

"Our goal is to leave a positive legacy, making a meaningful contribution to the Bolton area."

Demolition will also restore the historic pedestrian link between Victoria Square and Bradshawgate, a route that was blocked when part of the shopping centre was altered in 2008.

(Image: Paul Heyes)

The cleared site will then be handed over to Bolton Council's development partner, MEPC, the regeneration company behind major projects including Manchester's NOMA district and Paradise in Birmingham.

Plans for the site include up to 340 homes, a hotel, modern office space, leisure venues, restaurants and new public squares.

The redevelopment is expected to act as a catalyst for wider investment across the town centre, complementing regeneration projects including Moor Lane, Church Wharf, Deansgate Gardens and the Wellsprings.

Bolton Council chief executive Sue Johnson said reopening the route between Victoria Square and Bradshawgate would create a more connected town centre before the longer-term redevelopment begins.

She added: "In the longer term, we are paving the way for a truly transformational redevelopment of new homes, businesses and public spaces.

"This work is backed by policies like our Economic Growth Plan and our Visitor Economy Strategy that are designed to drive footfall, boost investment and bring more jobs into our borough."

When demolition is complete next year, the four-acre site will become one of the largest cleared town centre regeneration sites in the country, bringing the curtain down on one of Bolton's most recognisable buildings and beginning a new chapter for the town centre.