BOLTON businesses will be the first in line for lucrative construction contracts as the council ploughs ahead with its regeneration of the town centre.

Town hall bosses have highlighted the £1.5bn redevelopment masterplan as an opportunity to put money back into the Bolton economy.

This comes as two major developments which are set to change the face of Bolton town centre were given the green light by councillors on Thursday.

Two blocks of 144 apartments, 30,000 sq ft of office space and a 505-space multi-storey car park are set to be built at the Trinity Gateway site and should be completed by January 2022.

The major development between Trinity Street and Bradshawgate worth £55m also features a public open space approximately half the size of Victoria Square.

The former magistrates' court in Le Mans Crescent is also set to be converted into a luxury hotel operated by an "internationally-recognised upscale" firm.

Planning agent Gillian Worden told the planning committee that Farnworth-based Seddon Construction will carry out the work which is set to be completed by Autumn 2021 to coincide with the Rugby World Cup.

John Morrissy, assistant director of policy, projects and performance, told a scrutiny committee last week that the local authoritya fan of the "Preston Model".

Preston City Council, its anchor institutions and partners have a "community wealth" policy which it aims to employ local firms during the procurement process.

Mr Morrissy said that this model can have a "significant" impact on the local economy and local supply chain but admitted that Bolton is around three years behind Preston.

He also revealed that the council has commissioned the Centre for Economic Studies to identify how to keep more of the Bolton pound in Bolton.

Director of Place, Gerry Brough, said that around 40 per cent of council contracts are awarded to local firms. He said: “We’ve got a long way to go but I do think that Bolton is some way ahead."