Bolton Council's plan to invest in the town centre made a significant leap yesterday with £22.9m of funding announced from the government's Towns Fund.

Bolton was one of only 45 towns in the country to receive this funding boost yesterday which will go towards specific projects aimed to improve Bolton Town Centre, with funding for Bolton's districts such as Farnworth and Westhoughton also recently announced.

The Cheadle Square area, which includes Bolton Market, Bolton Central Library, and Aquarium is one area set to see significant improvements from this funding.

Another four projects have also secured funds that could transform the town centre as we know it.

Bolton Market is set to be improved with a refurbishment and upgrade of the internal halls, while also improving the entrances to the building.

The Wellsprings building, on Le Mans Crescent, which is next to the newly redeveloped Octagon theatre, will also be redeveloped to create an innovation hub for growing and start-up businesses in the creative and digital sector.

A public realm project will also aim to create a greener town centre with new footpaths and connections between key areas improved ­— new pocket parks and public spaces will also be created.

Finally a complete redevelopment of Bolton Central Library, Museum and Archive, will expand the Aquarium, while also modernising the library and introducing flexible workspaces that can be used by local businesses and community groups.

After securing this funding from the government, the next stage of the process will involve the council agreeing 'heads of terms' with government and developing a full business case for each of the projects.

Costs are indicative and could change as the plans develop, the council said, and there is a strict criteria on how this money from the government's Towns Fund can be spent.

This means it can only be spent on town centre regeneration projects, such as the ones mentioned above, and cannot be used to offset budget savings at the council or on any other services.

Chair of Bolton’s Town Deal Board and director at Agitare Business Consultancy, Belinda Beaver, said: “I am overjoyed that Bolton’s Town Fund has been successful and the money we receive will make a great difference to our town centre.

"The success is a testimony to Bolton’s fantastic collaborative working with partners to provide upgraded facilities to businesses, residents and visitors alike.”

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr David Greenhalgh, added: “We are delighted to hear that the government has supported Bolton’s Town Fund bid. This money will help us realise our vision and enable us to deliver transformative projects which are a key part of our ambitious plans.

"These projects include the redevelopment of Wellspring into an innovative business hub, the refurbishment of Bolton Market, further work to our library and museum and a substantial investment to public realm in Cheadle Square and Ashburner Street which will enhance the environment and create new pocket parks and other public spaces.

"These town fund projects result from extensive collaboration with residents, MPs and private and public sector partners and will reinforce our collective ambition, vision and commitment to regenerating Bolton’s town centre.”

For more information on Bolton's Towns Fund bid, and other regeneration projects across the borough, visit investinbolton.com.