A new public park with a ‘performance space’ is set to be built in Bolton town centre.
Images of how the new park, at the former Odeon cinema site on Ashburner Street and Blackhorse Street could look, have been published by Bolton Council this week.
The transformation of the derelict area, close to the town’s market hall and the site of the recently approved Moor Lane housing development, is part of ‘Towns Fund’ grants given to the authority by central government.
A design and access report in support of the plans, stated: “The proposals for the former Odeon cinema site look to bring green open space into the heart of Bolton; providing a park which is open, accessible, and welcoming for the community and visitors.
“The park will deliver a green space which ties in to a street upgrade on Ashburner Street, providing a complimentary and open frontage to this street, as well as Blackhorse Street and Back Spring Gardens.
“The boundaries of the park are typically open with a planted frontage between the street and the park to provide a soft edge.
“The park draws on the history of the site as a former Odeon cinema, re-using elements of red brick and steel beams from the former building and retaining these in the design.”
The report said that the park will provide a mix of flexible, open spaces with lawns, a performance area and a paved space with seating and picnic tables.
The northern half of the park will a softer landscape while the southern half of the park will feature more hard paving, centred around an open events space where stages or food trucks could be brought for temporary events such as music or drama performances or food fairs.
Around the events space will be areas of seating to form a picnic and gathering area and bench seating for events and performances.
The planning documents added that subject to planning permission being granted, the expectation was to deliver the project by September 2022.
In 2021 Bolton Council were successful in securing funding for the public realm and connections project, part of their wider application for the Towns Fund grant for five regenerative projects within the town centre civic and cultural quarter.
The park is set to be the first project delivered as part of that funding.
