Just had a meeting on Churchgate. Sad to see the Bolton News offices empty. And in a week or two the Travel Counsellors building opposite will be empty. Another 200+ people spending approx £20 per week on parking and lunches in the town... plus whatever other services they spend their hard-earned on - all being lost. Very sad state of affairs.

 

When will it get better? Should these empty offices be turned into apartments?

19 minutes ago, MickyD said:

There are plenty single shop units waiting to be populated with independents without sub-dividing Debenhams. There are also lots of larger places; C&A and BHS for example, which also need filling. It really is a shithole!

Are they not due to be flattened as part of the redevelopment? 

Town centres are fucked. Forever. RIP

1 hour ago, dave2980 said:

Are they not due to be flattened as part of the redevelopment? 

I’m not sure how far the demolition plans will go. I fully expect Primark to end up in the Debenhams end of Market Place.

I spoke to a bloke on Bradshawgate who couldn’t work out how the fuck to get in to Primark 🤣

13 hours ago, Carlos said:

I spoke to a bloke on Bradshawgate who couldn’t work out how the fuck to get in to Primark 🤣

The death-knell of that end of town, Primark insisting on no thoroughfare between Arndale and Bradshawgate.

5 hours ago, MickyD said:

The death-knell of that end of town, Primark insisting on no thoroughfare between Arndale and Bradshawgate.

So has Fashion Wagon gone too?

Just now, Whitestar said:

So has Fashion Wagon gone too?

? 

BHS is (or has been) used for a lot of filming. Someone making money out of that place, whether or not its occupied by retail outlet or not.

5 hours ago, Whitestar said:

So has Fashion Wagon gone too?

Hostile takeover by Talibs 

7 hours ago, MancWanderer said:

Hostile takeover by Talibs 

Stolen from Ivor still going strong i take it?

15 hours ago, Whitestar said:

Stolen from Ivor still going strong i take it?

Looking at some of the photos from our away following today I’d say yes. 

Would be about 6/7 years ago but Ivor had an apartment in Hale near the train station. New a woman who had a shop nearby. He called in a few times when I was there. Absolutely funny as fuck if you could get him to speak about Manc in the 70s/80/s. 1970s playboy. Driving around in his dated Merc convertible. Never seemed bitter about the decline of the town centre shops. Whilst sat back on the fortune that he’d made…

On 20/10/2022 at 21:44, MickyD said:

I’m not sure how far the demolition plans will go. I fully expect Primark to end up in the Debenhams end of Market Place.

Library is in C&A/New Look whilst they give the one in Le Mans Crescent a facelift.

Won't be long after they move the library back home til they pull Crompton Place down.

The Book Thief at the octagon nominated for Best Musical and Best Regional Production at What's On Stage Awards. Amazing reviews across the board - be fantastic if it got a transfer.

The AD, Lottie Wakeman is doing an amazing job there, well worth your support.

New cafe opened on Ivy rd. Very nice. A credit to the new owners. Nice breakfast and brunch menu and friendly staff. Much friendlier than that previous occupant.

Northern Ivy. 166 Ivy Road. 
Im sure they will do really well.

On 12/11/2022 at 13:56, Not in Crawley said:

The Book Thief at the octagon nominated for Best Musical and Best Regional Production at What's On Stage Awards. Amazing reviews across the board - be fantastic if it got a transfer.

The AD, Lottie Wakeman is doing an amazing job there, well worth your support.

think ive been booked in for S+P wine

26 minutes ago, Casino said:

think ive been booked in for S+P wine

It's certainly on the up, doing great stuff so I hear.

55 minutes ago, Casino said:

think ive been booked in for S+P wine

Wanted to go to that but will be away. One of the first books I ever read and probably still the best is ‘One small boy’ Also by Bill Naughton. 
Life of a young Irish Immigrant living in Bolton (probably Naughton himself)

Cafe Italia - on Johnson Fold round-a-bount is still tip-top scran.

Lunch time menu every day till 4pm.

Any pasta / pizza / sandwich £8.

Same price as a maccies meal that these days.

Edited November 17, 20223 yr by Pablo

1 hour ago, BobyBrno said:

New cafe opened on Ivy rd. Very nice. A credit to the new owners. Nice breakfast and brunch menu and friendly staff. Much friendlier than that previous occupant.

Northern Ivy. 166 Ivy Road. 
Im sure they will do really well.

 

Will be giving this a go, pictures look great inside.

Good luck to them.

1 hour ago, BobyBrno said:

Wanted to go to that but will be away. One of the first books I ever read and probably still the best is ‘One small boy’ Also by Bill Naughton. 
Life of a young Irish Immigrant living in Bolton (probably Naughton himself)

My grandad was best mates with Bill Naughton. Went to school together. Just Saying Like.

7 minutes ago, MickyD said:

My grandad was best mates with Bill Naughton. Went to school together. Just Saying Like.

Interesting bloke Bill Naughton. A great writer. 3 of his books turned into films. Alfie, Spring and port wine and the family way (All in good time) 2 based in Bolton and even a reference in Alfie. Born in Ireland but lived his early life in Bolton.

My Dad knew Frank Finlay and Mum knew Hilda Baker.😊

Edited November 17, 20223 yr by BobyBrno

A Goalkeeper’s Revenge was school reading material in my early years of secondary education. Reading it was how I found out my grandad went to school with him when he saw me reading and said, “I went to school with Bill.”

3 hours ago, BobyBrno said:

Wanted to go to that but will be away. One of the first books I ever read and probably still the best is ‘One small boy’ Also by Bill Naughton. 
Life of a young Irish Immigrant living in Bolton (probably Naughton himself)

My pal spadger

Prob one of my first grown up books

Did a few others about the same time

Oh aye. 

See micky has mentioned another

Superb stuff