Several developers are now interested in getting an empty historic building in the middle of Bolton back into use, town hall has heard. The former Nationwide bank building on the corner of Newport Street has been empty since bookmakers shut down several years ago. Earlier this week, Bolton Council’s cabinet gathered to consider an agreement to take back control of the building to help redevelop it, with a restaurant touted as a possibility.
Council deputy leader Cllr Akhtar Zaman said: “This is an important decision for us in regard to our assets in the town centre. “We have already done so in a similar way with the M&S building and officers have been working hard to get the building back into the market. The cabinet meeting was held at Bolton Town Hall (Image: Newsquest) “I understand there are now a number of developers interested in getting this building back into use.
” A council report said that the Grade II listed building can trace its history back to the 1820s and will now need a range of works to bring it back up to standard. These will include roof works, window repairs, masonry cleaning and damp removal. The report said that colliers estimated that the total cost for immediate works would be £231,661.
90 with “optional works” that it also recommended set to cost another £64,437.76. But part of this would be paid for by Nationwide as part of a lump-sum payment in return for being allowed to end their lease early.
The council leadership had gathered to .