Horwich is a busy and bustling town centre, it’s located close to the University of Bolton stadium, home to Bolton Wanderers and to Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park. It has a population of over 20,000 residents but is a pleasant and attractive town, with a character and identity appreciated by those who live there.
Horwich has almost everything that could be expected in a town centre of its size with a wide range of independent and national food retailers including restaurants, bars and cafes. There are also lots of public spaces including a public hall, a park, leisure centre, library & children’s centre, community and heritage centre, health clinic and schools.
Despite its popularity, Horwich like other district centres still faces challenges and would benefit from improvements to its assets including its green spaces and parks, community and housing and making the most of its connectivity and improving the public realm.
Following local consultation, a dedicated district centre strategy and masterplan was developed which identified challenges and opportunities for each area with several key development proposals to guide the long term regeneration of Horwich.
A two phased approach will be taken to implement the priority projects. Phase one will be focused on implementing ‘quick win’ projects, completing further physical surveys and design work, and undertaking further public consultation. Phase two will concentrate on the implementation of the longer term projects.
Horwich’s priority projects include:
A £16m budget was approved in 2019 to support the delivery of town centre strategies and masterplans in Farnworth, Westhoughton, Horwich and Little Lever, which aims to sustain the immediate future of the town centres to the benefit of the wider Borough and its residents.
The level of funding given to any town centre will depend on the content and quality of the strategy and masterplan and the level of support needed to initiate developments.
As part of the masterplan and stratgies an action plan of priorities, output measures and indicators will be developed, monitored and reviewed annually by the Director of Place Development and Assistant Director of Economic Development and Regeneration alongside members of the Horwich town centre Steering Group.
