Restoration plan for Bolton Business Centre

An empty grade-two listed building in Bolton is set to be refurbished into offices for three local businesses, under plans put to the council by architects Atelier MB and interior designer Sheila Bird Group.

The 10,000 sq ft, grade two-listed building on Lower Bridgeman Street, known as Bolton Business Centre, was constructed between 1845 and 1847 as a public baths and assembly rooms. The assembly rooms were used for civic functions and parties until the 1980s, when they were converted into offices and many of the original features destroyed.

The assembly rooms have been empty for a year and have now been acquired from the Animal Trust, by three brothers.

Adam, Dominic and Nick Pope currently run their businesses from Bayley House in Bolton but need more space for expansion.

They employ 25 staff across their companies; Get Claims Advice, Polar Energy and MacFarlaine & Brooks IFA, and are aiming to double the size of the combined workforce.

Plans have been submitted to Bolton Council for interior and exterior alterations and for listed building consent. The work is set to cost £700,000.

Manchester-based Atelier MB, which specialises in projects for historic buildings, has submitted refurbishment plans that include a mezzanine floor and a small glazed rooftop extension.

Ray Makin, chairman of Atelier MB, said: “The former assembly rooms are in a state of disrepair, and we are delighted to be working with Sheila Bird Group to revive this landmark by creating high-quality contemporary office space in an area of the town centre which Bolton Council is seeking to redevelop.

“The shoddy, previous alterations will be removed and as much of the splendour of the space as possible will be exposed to reflect its historic importance and character in a dynamic business setting which will create much-needed job opportunities in the area.”

The plans will go before councillors later this month. If approved, the scheme is scheduled for completion in mid-2019.

Atul Bansal and Chris Naughton of Sheila Bird Group are the interior designers and the project manager is Andrew Flanagan of CBRE.