A MOCK-UP website has been created by supporters to showcase how a restored Palais De Dance could be marketed as a viable business instead of demolished.

Inspired by the similar renovated venues in other parts of the country that are operating successfully, the group designed the website to demonstrate their vision for bringing Bolton's old dance hall, on the corner of Bridge Street and St George's Road, back into use.

Lead campaigner Maggie Gallagher's application to Historic England to get the building listed status was refused on the basis it does not lie in a conservation area and there are limited original features left to save.

But she has now submitted an appeal contesting those two grounds with the aim of securing the extra planning protection for the 1928 structure.

She told a meeting on Friday: "We can be optimistic and hopefully we can get something done. We have got to keep going.

"It is eligible for a business support group from Bolton Council for renovation, which could come in handy."

She unveiled the www.palaisdedansebolton.co.uk website to give a flavour of how the dance hall, once restored, could be advertised.

Ideas have been taken from the Palais De Danse in Kidderminster in Worcestershire and the Palais De Danse in Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire as well as the interior of the Century Ballroom in Seattle in the north western United States that enjoys many of the furnishings and fittings the campaigners would like to emulate.

Ms Gallagher told the meeting: "We can have that, can't we? They use the hall for all sorts of functions."

It is envisaged a renovated venue could become a viable business proposition if it took bookings for Asian weddings, cabaret nights, children's theatres and live performances.

Other potential uses put forward include Northern Soul nights, roller discos, school proms, dance schools, business meetings, exercise classes and local interest group meetings.

Mrs Gallagher said: "This venue has been a multi-functional venue.

"Yes, there's proof it didn't work as a nightclub, but look at the years Palais De Danse had, through all those decades, and we can do that again.

"Bolton needs this place. Let's get it to its 100th year and have a centenary party when we can all go dancing."

The dance hall — most recently used Ikon nightclub — is owned by Moorgarth, the real estate firm behind the redevelopment of the neighbouring Market Place shopping centre.

Moorgarth's chief executive Tim Vaughan told The Bolton News after the purchase of the site was finalised earlier this year: "It is basically falling down and needs to come down."

Interest in the building's future was revived when it hosted a one-night-only dance evening for the BBC2 show You Make Me Feel Like Dancing.