THE rejuvenation of Bolton's Nelson Square is finally set to begin after a pub chain's long fight for licensing approval ended in victory.

National company JD Wetherspoon was awarded the provisional drinks licence during a special sitting of Bolton Magistrate's licensing committee yesterday.

The decision comes as a massive boost to a general drive to promote the nightime economy in Bolton.

Previous applications by JD Wetherspoon and other companies for the site had been refused amid fears that further licensed premises could increase drink related disturbances in the town centre.

As previously reported in the BEN a bid by First Leisure to gain a licence for a Branagans pub failed on appeal at Bolton Crown Court because it was considered a "substantial risk to public order." But at yesterday's hearing the JD Wetherspoon's chief executive, Mr Timothy Martin was able to allay these fears. He said his chain of 171 pubs across the UK attracted the more mature customer.

Mr Martin, who founded the company 18 years ago, said: "I am delighted with the decision I think its great news for JD Wetherspoon and for Bolton. I think we will be a real asset to the town because no other pub is like us." There had been no objections to the revised scheme which was a smaller version of one that failed to get licensing approval last October. It is believed developers have pledged to offer £47,000 to the local authority for lighting and other improvements to Nelson Square and a further £46,000 towards CCTV in addition to facilities offered by JD Wetherspoon. The project will create 30 new jobs.

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