Is Bolton on the cusp of something special?

Big things are happening in Bolton.

As the town embarks on its most ambitious regeneration in years, 2024 is set to mark a turning point, cementing Bolton’s status as an exciting city for innovation, culture, and hospitality.

Earlier this year, Bolton was named Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture in 2024.

It has steadily been building its reputation this year, with much more to come.

What’s going on in Bolton?

With its eye on becoming the “Hollywood of the North,” Bolton is attracting creative industries and talent while simultaneously building a exciting new town centre that will become home to thousands of new residents.

Key residential developments like Moor Lane and Deansgate Gardens are nearing completion, promising to bring life back into the town centre.

These “vibrant new urban neighbourhoods” will soon be bustling with 5,000 new residents, creating a perfect customer base for Bolton’s fast-growing food, drink, and entertainment sector.

Alongside these homes, new commercial spaces, green public areas, and leisure destinations are set to redefine Bolton’s identity.

Bolton’s transformation doesn’t stop at bricks and mortar.

Boosting hospitality in the town

There’s a concerted effort to boost the hospitality sector and attract exciting new businesses to the town.

On October 9th, Bolton Council is hosting a hospitality business event at the newly developed Market Food Hall.

Potential investors are invited to explore a portfolio of properties ideally suited for new restaurants, cafés, and bars.

With 5,000 new residents on the way and increasing footfall from visitors, the council is positioning Bolton as an unmissable opportunity for entrepreneurs.

Councillor Akhtar Zaman, Bolton Council’s deputy leader, sees this as the perfect time for investment:

“With our regeneration plans set to create 5,000 new town centre residents, there is a ready-made customer base for new restaurants and bars.

“This will be a can’t-miss event whether you are an established hospitality entrepreneur or thinking of taking on your first property.”

And the timing couldn’t be better.

Bolton’s hospitality scene is already booming, highlighted by the success of the Bolton Food and Drink Festival, the largest event of its kind in the UK.

Every year, the festival draws hundreds of thousands of visitors, eager to experience a mix of celebrity chef cookery demos, local talent, and an electric atmosphere.

The event usually features over 200 market stalls, flamboyant street entertainment, live music, and family-friendly activities.

Bolton is rapidly becoming a destination for food lovers, with its growing roster of restaurants and bars, and a market that has been revamped to become a major retail and leisure attraction.

The addition of a new Food Hall and an expanded outdoor area at the award-winning Bolton Market makes it clear that food and drink are central to Bolton’s plans for the future.

The Wellsprings buildings

Beyond hospitality, Bolton’s future looks bright as a creative hub. The conversion of the Wellsprings building into a modern workspace for digital and creative start-ups is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2024.

This £11.18m project is designed to attract tech companies and innovators, positioning Bolton as a northern hub for the UK’s creative industries—a title often associated with the “Hollywood of the North” moniker.

Entrepreneurs and business start-ups from the creative and technology sectors are now invited to apply for office spaces at The Wellsprings, which also offers co-working space and meeting rooms, call pods, bike storage and kitchen facilities.

The centre will provide coaching and support to businesses who use the space, alongside a calendar of networking events and workshops for the centre’s community.

Speaking at the time, Bolton Council Leader, Cllr Nick Peel, said:

“The completed renovation of The Wellsprings is another major milestone as momentum continues to build behind Bolton’s ongoing regeneration.

“Everything about our town centres is changing, from the way we work to the way we shop, but our regeneration masterplan means we are well placed to take advantage of these new opportunities.

“The council’s direct intervention at The Wellsprings has transformed a dated and underused office block into a dynamic new workspace, that will encourage business leaders and entrepreneurs to make their home in Bolton.”

But regeneration is not just happening in the town centre.

Bolton Institute of Medical Sciences

In Farnworth, two major developments are set to open, including the Bolton Institute of Medical Sciences, which will train 3,000 students annually in healthcare roles.

This £40m project, supported by the government’s Levelling Up fund, is creating opportunities in healthcare while contributing to Bolton’s long-term economic growth.

Meanwhile, over at Horwich Loco Works, one of the largest brownfield sites in the UK, work is progressing rapidly.

The development will eventually deliver 1,700 homes and new commercial space, further boosting Bolton’s housing market and employment prospects.

From homes to hospitals, food festivals to flexible workspaces, Bolton is evolving into a town with something for everyone.

In 2024, Bolton’s long-awaited regeneration plans will finally come to fruition, bringing tangible benefits to residents and businesses alike.

With its rich cultural offerings, booming hospitality sector, and investment in creative industries, Bolton is undoubtedly a town on the up—and one that’s ready to take its place on the UK map as a thriving, innovative, and exciting place to live, work, and visit.

You can find out more about what’s going on at the Council’s website here

Have we missed something out? Let us know! [email protected]