Street food markets, a big screen, an activity zone and a new urban garden are part of Bolton Council’s temporary plans for Crompton Place immediately on to Victoria Square, known as meanwhile use.
Last year, the council secured planning permission to demolish the 1960s shopping centre to pave the way for Bolton’s flagship regeneration scheme and the long-term plans are supported with this meanwhile scheme.
In the long term the area will be transformed into new homes, office, hospitality and leisure space set within a high-quality public space.
The demolition process includes plans for “meanwhile use”, which set out how the newly cleared site will be used and enjoyed by the Bolton community during the construction phase.
The plan covers six key themes:
- Entertainment: A vibrant outdoor space for events, live performances, a big screen and seasonal markets.
- Food and Drink: A flexible food and drink offer showcasing local independent stalls and street food.
- Green Space: A calming planted garden with seating and community growing space.
- Activity Zone: An inclusive space for sport, wellbeing and activities for all ages and abilities.
- Multi-Use Hub: A flexible community building for people to learn, create and connect.
- Urban Garden: A community-focused growing space combining urban agriculture, gardening workshops and an artisan café.
Bolton Council Leader, Cllr Akhtar Zaman, said:
“The regeneration of Crompton Place will be transformational for Bolton, building on the work we have already done to bring even more homes, jobs and vibrancy to our town centre.
“But residents will not have to wait long to see the benefits thanks to our detailed meanwhile use plans which will put this site to work as soon as demolition is completed.
“This will be a brand-new community space for the people of Bolton to enjoy all year round with something to offer residents and visitors of all ages.”
Demolition experts Rhodar have begun to strip the interior of Crompton Place, a preliminary step before the building itself will be torn down.
The company expects to spend £1m with local suppliers and will recruit two Bolton apprentices to work on the scheme.
Once the site is fully cleared, the area will be transformed by the council’s developer partner MEPC, an arm of Federated Hermes.
The company is behind some of the UK’s biggest urban regeneration projects including NOMA in Manchester and Paradise in Birmingham.
The regeneration of Crompton Place will build on the success of already completed projects across the town centre including phase one of Moor Lane, Deansgate Gardens and the Wellsprings Innovation Hub.
The full meanwhile use scheme for Crompton Place can be viewed on the council’s planning portal.
