Bolton’s new park opens to the public

Elizabeth Park was named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II and sits where the former Odean cinema used to be on Ashburner Street.

The site has been completely transformed with a central lawn, broad flower beds, a rain garden, generous seating and a public performance space that will be supported with an exciting programme of events and activities.

Mayor Mohammed Ayub cut the ribbon and announced the park officially open at a ceremony on Friday.

Pupils from St Peter and St Paul’s Roman Catholic Primary School, Gilnow Primary School, Pikes Lane Primary School and Bolton Parish Church Primary School helped to plant the flower beds earlier in the year and joined the opening day celebrations.

The new park is a key piece in the regeneration of this area of the town centre.

It was funded by the government’s Towns Fund, which has also supported the nearby renovation of Bolton Central Library, a reimagined Bolton Market, major improvements to Ashburner Street and the ongoing conversion of the Wellsprings office building into an innovation hub for start-up businesses.

Cllr Richard Silvester, Bolton Council’s Executive Member for Climate Change and Environment, said:

“The opening of Elizabeth Park is a landmark occasion for Bolton, the first new greenspace in the town centre in over a hundred years.

“It brings flowers, trees and wildlife into the heart of the town, which are so important for people’s sense of wellbeing, and is destined to become a much-loved place for everyone who works, lives, or goes out in the town centre.”

Also on Friday, there was a sneak preview of Bolton Market’s new food hall, set to open this spring.

The new dining destination has space for almost 200 people and will bring together nine stallholders offering dishes ranging from gourmet burgers to Japanese, Caribbean, Italian, Indian and Chinese cuisine, as well as a bar run by the Bolton Gin Company.

Paul Welch, the founder and owner of the Bolton Gin Company, said:

“We’re incredibly excited to be part of this new venture and we can’t wait to get started.

“We’ve seen the investment and effort that’s been put into it. As a small business, to know that the council thinks we’re the right people to be providing the drinks and refreshment gives me a real sense of pride.

“Most of all, the stallholders want to bring delicious food, great music and of course fabulous drinks to create a buzzing venue that will be brilliant for Bolton.”

The Deputy Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Akhtar Zaman, said:

“The future of Bolton town centre is bright.

“Along with the conversion of the Wellsprings building and development of Moor Lane, the new park and food hall are a sign that this area is being completely transformed through the council’s plans to make the town centre into a vibrant and attractive place to live, work and visit.”

Minister for Levelling Up, Jacob Young, said:

“It’s amazing to see how our Town Deal funding is helping bring new life into Bolton town centre and making it somewhere everyone will want to go to.

“Not only has this key levelling up funding supported the impressive, wider regeneration of the town, including with the market’s exciting new food hall, the brand-new Elizabeth Park will be a hive of activity, while also acting as a fitting tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”