WHEN plans for the Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park were first announced, the then Bolton Evening News reported: “The most ambitious scheme in Bolton’s history has been unveiled . . . and with it the town’s dreams for the 21st century.”

The plan, announced in 1994, involved a 25,000 all-seater stadium for Bolton Wanderers — now, of course, the University of Bolton stadium — the creation of almost 4,000 jobs, a 6,000 seater indoor arena, sports hotel, multi-screen cinema, bowling alley, restaurants and 6,000 parking spaces.

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The idea was that Middlebrook — a partnership between Orbit Developments, Bolton Council and Bolton Wanderers — would not rival the town centre.

Many people thought it would not happen, some — nearby residents, shopkeepers in Horwich — were not too keen on it happening, while others looked forward to a new era in shopping and leisure.

One thing was for sure — the open fields and the former Red Moss tip would never be the same.

Planning rows and minutiae were eventually sorted out, and by 1996 work was underway on building Bolton Wanderers — then based at Burnden Park — a new home and developers Orbit had produced a full plan for the park. Contracts were signed and Orbit put their seal on what the company described as “the largest integrated and sustainable employment, leisure, sports and retail scheme in the country”.

By Christmas, 1996 many of the key developments were built, the first store to open was JJB and by the summer of 1997 the likes of McDonald's, Pizza Hut and KFC were in place, with deals signed with the Hollywood Bowl and Asda.

By 2006, there were 50 retail units at Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park as well as 27 corporate businesses, commercial office accommodation and residential areas with approximately 4,500 jobs created with 1,600 in retail

The 200-acre park, at the time had leisure facilities equating to 227,544 sq ft and retail facilities of approximately 406,475 sq ft.

Firms include Halfords, Dreams, DFS, Laura Ashley, Harveys, Asda, M&S, Homebase, Boots, Pets at Home, Wilko, Specsavers, Clarks, Hollywood Bowl, River Island, Argos, Vue Cinema, JD Sports and Premier Inn.