More luxury student flats due to demand
2:10pm Tuesday 8th January 2013 in News
More luxury student flats due to demand
AMBITIOUS plans have been unveiled for the expansion of Bolton’s luxury student accommodation building.
Bosses from The Pack Horse in Nelson Square hope the proposals could act as “a catalyst” for town centre growth.
The landmark former hotel in Nelson Square was re-opened last September as 100 luxury student flats following a £4 million redevelopment project.
Now, fresh proposals will see two closed bars next to the site — Coyote Chaos and Lounge 10 — converted into new flats and a coffee shop which will be open to the general public.
The £750,000 plans have been submitted by Westhoughton-based firm Hamilton Black Developments and also include a new “courtyard” set-up inside the grounds and the addition of 25 new student flats.
Lyndon Forshaw, partner at Hamilton Black, said: “We’re going to create a courtyard, demolishing part of the building and taking it back to the way it originally looked.
“We aim to have everything ready for this summer in time for the start of the new term.”
The original project hit a snag only weeks before it was due to open after the main contractor went out of business, but despite the setback developers said the accommodation had proven hugely popular.
Mr Forshaw said: “Since we opened we’ve had a great response.
“Because of the issues we had trying to get it finished on time we lost a few students on the back of that, but the vast majority of them came with us.”
Nelson Square and Bradshawgate have become home to a number of bars and restaurants and Mr Forshaw is optimistic the student pound can continue to provide a boost for traders.
He said: “I think it could be a catalyst.”
The proposals come just weeks after Bolton’s top police officer, Ch Supt David Hull, called for more to be done to attract families into the town centre to end its “unsafe image”.
Comments(6)
boltonnut
says...
6:26pm Tue 8 Jan 13
blackburnthru&thru
says...
7:35pm Tue 8 Jan 13
These new rooms can only add to the experience and the place has already bought vibrancy to an area that was dour, the coffee shop would be great for all and the courtyard is already taking shape which will be amazing. I know I know I know... people will think I'm on commission!! but believe me this place has been a godsend to me... to Boltonnut... fees are tight but for what we get we pay virtually no more than a normal room, in fact its less if i take into consideration the taxi's fares it would have cost to go back and forth to the other parts of Bolton and rent a room in a house, so its not only about financial costs but comfort and value, back in the day when students were poor and striving, they were never left with fees and debt, these rooms offer more and beyond what you would expect, this hopefully will reflect in my improved results and better prospects as I feel at home even though I could go home everyday, I am glad I chose the pack horse..... and I have already booked for next year as all my mates want to come here next year and I'm sure they will be full... get in early peeps!! #greatplacetolive
jenberts
says...
9:23pm Tue 8 Jan 13
blackburnthru&thWell enjoy your life of luxuries because its more than likely gonna change when you get into the real world leave school and your luxury student accommodation .Lets hope you can manage to get a job that pays enough to keep yourself and other students in the same standard of living ....
ru wrote:
I am a student and live at these premises and they are fantastic, Ruby in management is always helpful, gym is great, common room is like cinema and the facilities are second to none, they are luxurious compared to everywhere else I viewed but reasonably priced with what you get, saves me a fortune in taxi's!
These new rooms can only add to the experience and the place has already bought vibrancy to an area that was dour, the coffee shop would be great for all and the courtyard is already taking shape which will be amazing. I know I know I know... people will think I'm on commission!! but believe me this place has been a godsend to me... to Boltonnut... fees are tight but for what we get we pay virtually no more than a normal room, in fact its less if i take into consideration the taxi's fares it would have cost to go back and forth to the other parts of Bolton and rent a room in a house, so its not only about financial costs but comfort and value, back in the day when students were poor and striving, they were never left with fees and debt, these rooms offer more and beyond what you would expect, this hopefully will reflect in my improved results and better prospects as I feel at home even though I could go home everyday, I am glad I chose the pack horse..... and I have already booked for next year as all my mates want to come here next year and I'm sure they will be full... get in early peeps!! #greatplacetolive
Bolton5
says...
10:48pm Tue 8 Jan 13
Enjoy the decent accommodation you are paying for students.
blackburnthru&thru
says...
11:20pm Tue 8 Jan 13
jenbert... who knows what's around the corner, but this place give me a sense of comfort in the knowledge It may provide me a better chance of bettering results which in turn will give me a better opportunity and hopefully earn more, pay off my debts sooner and contribute more to society.I do live in a real world and to get better prospects I need better results, which the Moodle student support service provided by Ruby at the Pack Horse can only enhance my chances to do that, By the way I left school ages ago and now go to university!
Phil from Smithills says...
10:32am Tue 8 Jan 13