EMPLOYERS
A jewel in Bolton’s crown is Logistics North – the biggest commercial property development of its kind in the North of England and a distribution hub for major national and international names including MBDA Systems, Aldi, Lidl, Amazon and Whistl.
Located next to Junction 4 of the M61, Logistics North comprises 1.8 million sq ft of logistics and manufacturing space completed or under construction. Amazon has just signed a deal for a 270,000 sq ft distribution warehouse there, which will create 1,200 jobs.
Other major employers in Bolton are the iconic breakers Warburtons, RBS, E.ON, AXA, Reebok, Stateside Foods and Watson Steel, while tourism brings in £430 million for the town’s economy. Bolton also boasts the 200-acre Middlebrook, one of the largest integrated and sustainable employment, leisure, sports and retail schemes in the UK.
POPULATION (inc projected growth)
Over the next five years Bolton’s total population, currently 280,439, will increase by 8,600 people (3.0%), and by 2025 there will be 16,200 more people (5.7%) living in the borough.
The population of Bolton is ageing as a result of increased life expectancy and demographic trends.
Although the growth in the older population is in line with national and regional trends, the proportion of Bolton's population in the older age groups is projected to remain slightly below the national and regional averages. This is because Bolton has a slightly younger population profile than national and regional averages. All information supplied by Bolton Council.
THE TOWN CENTRE
The regeneration of the town centre, so necessary to balance the success of out-of-town business parks, is the envy of many northern towns.
The Town Centre Masterplan will see £1bn of investment pumped into a number of exciting developments, including the Market Place – a Victorian former market hall that has recently undergone a £27m transformation to create a buzzing retail and leisure destination.
Like all major urban centres, Bolton’s success revolves around an ability to offer a wide range of reasons to visit: from major high street retailers and popular restaurant brands to sports facilities and attractions.
HOUSING
The growth of successful out-of-town business and retail parks, combined with the regeneration of the town centre and excellent transport links to Manchester city centre, mean that Bolton is now a most attractive place to invest in residential property.
The £262 million Rivington Chase development by the M61 is under way, providing 1,700 much-needed homes and demonstrating huge confidence in Bolton’s housing market. It is currently much cheaper to buy and rent in Bolton. House prices expected to rise at double the rate of London over the next four years, according to a 2018 report on North West housing by global property consultancy Savills. Projections range from an average 18% increase in the North West, home to the Northern Powerhouse, to about 7% in London.
CONCLUSION
Strategic employment and residential developments in the town centre, at Logistics North and Rivington Chase are now taking shape, driven by a desire to deliver sustainable economic, social and environmental benefits across the borough.
This is underlined by the idea of building two new train stations, now being considered by Transport for Greater Manchester.
The town has been named the ninth best place in the country for workers by Glassdoor, one of the world’s largest job sites, based on how easy it is to find a job, how affordable it is to live there and overall job satisfaction. Overall, Bolton is fast becoming an attractive town in which to invest.
Sources: Where not stated, Invest In Manchester, Manchester Evening News and Bolton Council
