Bolton Market Hall (Bolton)

United Kingdom / England / Bolton / Corporation Street
 shopping centre, 1850s construction, Grade II Listed (UK)
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Bolton Market Hall is a listed building in Bolton, Greater Manchester that is now the Market Place Shopping Centre. The market hall and its integral ground-floor shops on Bridge Street, Corporation Street and Knowsley Street are included in the English Heritage listing.

Originally designed and opened in 1855, the Bolton Market Hall was said to be ‘the largest covered market in the kingdom.’ The Market Hall was modified with structural alterations, and was reopened as Market Place Shopping Centre by Queen Elizabeth ll in 1988.
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Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolton_Market_Hall
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Coordinates:   53°34'50"N   2°25'46"W

Comments

  • The Victorian part (c.1850) - the only bit that's worth looking at - is currently (2008) closed for "refurbishment". Nice heavy Portico to the west (Knowsley Street). It used to be rather like a covered open market (butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers etc.) on island stalls covered by a high glass and iron roof. Unfortunately the council decided to take it all upmarket in the late 80's since when it has gradually lost most of its character partly because the rents rose astronomically and the interesting traders moved out or closed down. The northern extension is a fairly non-descript 'mall' type addition containing the usual national chain stores. I've been in at least three times since it was opened c.15 years ago.
  • Sold by Bolton Council to Warner Estates c.2006/7. It has recently (September 2008) re-opened after 'refurbishment'. The interior has been fairly thoroughly mutilated by the addition of a 'mezzanine' floor, three of the five original entrances no longer exist - Warner Estates website has the temerity to claim to have 'restored' the building. What was the main entrance via the portico from Knowsley Street now leads into a set of steep stairs up to the first floor. Grotesque.
This article was last modified 8 years ago