Bolton's Crompton Place shopping mall due to be demolished by 2025

An artist's impression of the new development in Bolton town centre

A town's shopping mall is due to be demolished by 2025 as part of redevelopment of the town centre, a council has said.

Bolton's Crompton Place was described as an "underused and unappealing building" by Council Leader Nick Peel.

Its demolition could lead to a £300m transformation of the area, creating housing alongside shops, the council said.

Built in 1971, Crompton Place was bought by the council in 2018.

The authority then enabled leaseholders to relocate so demolition work could start.

However, some of the remaining leaseholders, including Marks & Spencer, retained a lease until 2027, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Following complex negotiations, the council's cabinet is set to consider options to agree an early surrender of that lease.

Mr Peel said it was "an opportunity to replace an underused and unappealing building with something everyone in Bolton can be proud of".

If early surrender of the lease is accepted, it could allow for work to start as soon as the anchor Primark store moves to the Market Place shopping centre in late 2024 or early 2025.

A public consultation will be held about the future use of the site, which could host leisure and health facilities.

'Vibrant destination'

The move could also provide direct links from Victoria Square to Bradshawgate.

Mr Peel said: "This is part of the council's plan to consolidate and concentrate Bolton's retail offer, creating more space for residential, hospitality, leisure, and employment opportunities.

"This will be our flagship redevelopment project, signalling to the private sector that Bolton Council is serious about regeneration and thereby attracting even more commercial investment."

Deputy council leader Akhtar Zaman added: "Shopping will always be an essential part of Bolton's identity but as more people shop online, modern town centres have to be about more than just retail."

He said the council was working to "create a more vibrant destination, where people want to live, work, study, eat out and enjoy our many cultural venues."

The plan will be considered at a cabinet meeting on 4 March.