The demolition of Crompton Place has officially started, work that will open up the town centre and pave the way for Bolton’s flagship redevelopment project.
Specialists Rhodar have started to strip the interior of the former shopping centre, a preliminary step before the building itself will be torn down.
It marks a significant milestone for Crompton Place, which Bolton Council purchased in 2018 before supporting tenants to relocate elsewhere in the town centre.
Demolition will quickly reestablish a direct pedestrian route between Victoria Square and Bradshawgate and create new open space for pop-up events and activities.
Rhodar expects to spend £1m with local suppliers and will recruit two Bolton apprentices to work on the scheme.
The company has a proven track record of complex demolitions and will use specialist techniques to reduce dust, noise and vibration.
The early stages of the project will focus on stripping the inside of the building, followed by more visible work on the exterior.
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."
Crompton Place is the flagship project in Bolton Council’s continued regeneration of the town centre which aims to create a more vibrant place to live, work, study, visit and invest.
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.
A planned mixed used development will offer new homes, places to work, hospitality, leisure and public space.
As well as creating jobs and supporting existing businesses, the redevelopment is expected to attract further investment into other sites across the town centre.
It will complement schemes such as Moor Lane, Deansgate Gardens, the Wellsprings and Church Wharf.
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 out-dated 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.”
Bolton Council Chief Executive, Sue Johnson, said:
“The new link between Bradshawgate and Victoria Square will create a more open and connected town centre.
“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.”