Will it be a "Greek bakery" or just another takeaway?

Church Street residents are asking whether plans to open a Greek bakery on the road may just be a cover story for another takeaway.

Alarmed locals who witnessed the shop at 73 Church Street being fitted contacted the Liberal Democrat team. We have been told that they are preparing to open a Greek bakery, within normal opening hours.

It follows on from a 2007 application from the same applicant – a Mrs Shoshtari from Bury – for a takeaway which was refused by councillors.

Residents have since told Councillor Julia Silvester and her team that they are suspicious about the owner’s real intentions.

Julia said: “The Lib Dem team will be monitoring developments at the shop very closely indeed.”

Sainsburys... set to open in February 2010

A recent recruitment drive saw scores of people trying to get work with the company, with many families hit by the recession, leaving many out of work.

One Church Street resident told The Bolton News: “I am very keen to get back to work. I’ve been trying everything but it’s really difficult at the moment.”

Another Sandalwood resident added: “There’s not many jobs going at the moment so I thought this was a really good opportunity. I’ve always supported the idea of Sainsbury’s coming to the town.”

The store is set to open next February – but will be beaten by LIDL, who plan to open their Wigan Road store in December, before the Christmas rush.

The LIDL store was supported by 433 local residents, who signed a petition in favour of the plans.

Westhoughton South ward councillor Julia Silvester said: “I am very pleased to see that Sainsburys is taken a positive role in getting local people back into work. Whether you agreed with the plans or not, it is here to stay and this recruitment drive is good news for Westhoughton.”

Westhoughton North ward campaigner Derek Gradwell added: “The opening of these two new stores will undoubtedly attract people back into the town, giving Westhoughton the attention it deserves.”

Labour councillors tried to stop a new Tesco in Westhoughton, only to be found shopping in it days later. They have been blasted by Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate Jackie Pearcey.

The new mini Tesco on Manchester Road at the White Horse junction has proven to be a lifeline for people living in that area, especially the elderly who cannot travel far.

But Labour councillors originally wanted to quash the plans. Despite their objections, the plans went through and Tesco has become a hit with locals.

Residents will be shocked to read that Labour councillors were spotted doing their shopping in the very Tesco they refused, a few days after it had opened.

Westhoughton South ward councillor Julia Silvester said: “The Liberal Democrat team has always had the interests of local residents as its number one priority.”

Bolton West Parliamentary Candidate for the Lib Dems, Jackie Pearcey added: “It’s a shame Labour fail to see what Westhoughton needs for its future.”

LIDL site

Supermarket chains LIDL and Sainsburys have begun work on their respective new sites in Westhoughton.

LIDL, situated at the junction of Wigan Road and Cricketers Way, on the old Greenfields Private Members Club site, started first.

They are now quickly being followed by construction work on the Sainsburys site, off Cricketers Way, opposite the McDonalds fast-food restaurant.

Here, we show some of the latest pictures from the construction sites.

LIDL is expecting to open its doors before the end of the year, and Sainsburys plan a February 2010 opening.

Two locations for new shops have emerged in Westhoughton as LIDL press ahead with their plans for a new supermarket.

Residents will already know that LIDL plan to build a new supermarket on the site of the former Greenfields Private Members Club, off Wigan Road (pictured right).

But now two new sites have emerged as possible retail developments – one being the old Gaiety building on Market Street, and the other being the old Glebe Mill and Bolton Road car park behind the library.

It is understood ALDI are interested in the former site. The car park would be moved to the site of the Walter Forshaw yard off King Street, and pedestrian access would be provided to King Street and Library Street.

Councillor Julia Silvester and Parliamentary Candidate Jackie Pearcey look at the Glebe Mill site

The owner of the Gaiety site wants LIDL to move its plans to there, but we understand LIDL don’t agree since they have already bought the land off Wigan Road.

When the Liberal Democrats asked residents what they wanted, most were in favour of LIDL coming to Westhoughton, but over 50 residents were against the idea. But most agree that the town needs more choice.

With the emergence of these potential new sites for retail development, your Liberal Democrat councillors are calling for a public consultation and proper planning before rushing into decisions about each site.

That’s why we encouraged EVERYONE WHO READS THIS to post their comments at the bottom of this article, or you can e-mail privately to focus@westhoughton-libdems.org.uk.

The application, which has been received by Bolton Council, is for the site of the former Greenfields Private Members’ Club off the Wigan Road/Cricketers Way junction.

The planning application number is 81747/09 if residents wish to submit their views to the council. You can have your views included through the council’s website at www.bolton.gov.uk.

The national chain want a new store on the site of the former Greenfields Private Members Club, at the Cricketer’s Way/Wigan Road junction.

The consultation will be held on Monday, 16th February between 1pm and 6.30pm at the Carnegie Hall, above Westhoughton Library, on Market Street. Lidl are writing to more than a 1,000 local residents to invite them along.

Westhoughton Liberal Democrats are also writing to residents across the town to find out whether they are in favour of the plans or not. You can also post your feedback below this article.

The former club, located at the junction of Wigan Road and Cricketers Way, was going to be demolished to make way for new apartments.

But the plans fell through and LIDL want to open a new store after buying the site. They hope to submit a planning application in February but will first open the idea up to public consultation and launch an open day.

The town is growing in size and still only has two Co-op supermarkets to cater for its population.

Labour councillors have consistently hampered the public’s choice of shopping facilities in Westhoughton. They said NO to plans for a Tesco on Manchester Road, yet only days after the store opened two Labour councillors were spotted in the store.

They opposed plans for the new Sainsbury’s store on Cricketers Way, potentially denying brand new facilities for our local cricket and rugby clubs, as well as losing money for Market Street footpath improvements.

They also:
- Cut the town’s market hall in HALF
- Opposed plans for a new clothing store
- Opposed plans for a new restaurant to replace a betting shop
- Said YES to 3 new estate agents, but only one was established because of the collapse in the housing market.

We’d like to know what you think about the plans for a LIDL store – will this be a good idea for Westhoughton? Post a comment on this news item or e-mail your views to focus@westhoughton-libdems.org.uk.

The Hoskers

Plans to build a phone mast on The Hoskers have been recommended for refusal by council officers.

The recommendation has been made to councillors, who will have to make a decision shortly.

Previously we told you how the mast would be 14.3 metres tall (48ft) and the equipment cabinet would be 158cm long, 38cm deep and 135cm tall.

But now council planning officers have warned that that mast is too big and would stand out amongst the neighbouring trees and street lighting.

It would also impose upon the Eatock Nature Reserve, the Planning Department has said.

The application will be going to Bolton Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday 16th October and the officers are asking the councillors on the planning committee to refuse the application.

Vodafone claim the mast is needed to boost the signal because there is a gap in the coverage in the area.

The application number is 80849/08 and if you any views on the application either for or against you can write to Director of Development and Regeneration or you can use the council’s website and place your comments before the decision date.

The address to submit your views is: The Director of Development and Regeneration, Bolton Town Hall, Bolton, BL1 1RU – you must quote the aforementioned application number.

The council’s website address is www.bolton.gov.uk – where you can also submit your views.
We will announce the council’s decision on this website.