Socio-economic changes caused by the Covid-19 pandemic have been accommodated by Bolton Council and its developer partners to ensure the delivery of the £1 billion masterplan to transform the town centre by 2030, according to new analysis by Deloitte.

The investor prospectus commissioned by the authority shows how its Vision 2030 programme will address the new set of circumstances brought about by the pandemic, allowing the town to fulfil its potential in the next decade and beyond.

“Bolton Council remains committed to delivering its plans for a redeveloped town centre and continues to engage with developers and investors to understand the implications of the pandemic on committed and emerging schemes within the six identified opportunity areas,” said Simon Bedford, partner at Deloitte and head of the local government development team.

“Local retail centres will have a role in driving future economic recovery as consumers increasingly choose to buy local, supporting local businesses and supply chains post Covid-19.”

The Deloitte study examines how the council is working with its developer partners to respond to trends affecting its six landmark mixed-use schemes at Trinity Quarter, Church Wharf, Crompton Place/Bolton Victoria Square, Croal Valley, Cheadle Square and the new Blackhorse Street-Bolton Digital City.

The Big Four firm also believes Bolton’s town centre schemes “present an opportunity for remodelling the urban environment to better meet the demands and needs of a post-COVID society”.

“The flexible and adaptable nature of our six mixed-use schemes, and the commitment of our developer partners, means we remain on course to deliver a transformed town centre by 2030,” added Cllr David Greenhalgh, leader of Bolton Council.

It is hoped that Bolton’s regeneration programme will have provided 1,700 homes and 4,411 full-time jobs by 2030, injecting £487.5m GVA of additional economic activity.