Work starts on £11m Bolton Wellsprings conversion

Robertson Construction is anticipating a May 2024 completion date for the conversion of the office building to create a 55,000 sq ft innovation hub on Howell Croft South in the town centre.

Work has now started to renovate the Bolton Council-owned Wellsprings building to deliver flexible workspace.

Designed by K2 Architects, the scheme will deliver independent retailers and events on the ground floor, providing 8,300 sq ft of commercial space.

The upper floors of the five storey building will house 22,700 sq ft of office space, featuring suites for emerging businesses. Suites will accommodate four to 36 people.

Bolton Council Leader, Cllr Nick Peel, said: “The way people work is changing, and the renovated Wellsprings will provide the new and innovative mixed-use space that modern businesses need.

“We want to incubate new start-ups to create a community of businesses that can exchange ideas, build networks, create opportunities, and build on each other’s success.”

The £11m project is being funded with £6.9m from the government’s Towns Fund and £1.4m from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The rest is being covered by Bolton Council’s budget.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority is the lead authority for administering the UKSPF, which was designed by the government to replace the former European Union structural funds.

Cllr David Molyneux, Greater Manchester’s lead for resources and investment and Wigan Council Leader, said: “The Wellsprings project is a significant step towards creating an inclusive and prosperous environment for innovation and business growth in Bolton.

“It’s a great example of UKSPF in action and aligns perfectly with our vision for Greater Manchester as a thriving hub of creativity and entrepreneurship.”

Bolton received a total of £23m from the Towns Fund last July. This investment will also fund improvements to Bolton Market and public realm improvements, as well as the redevelopment of Bolton Central Library to expand the aquarium, modernise the libraries, and introduce flexible workspaces.

Clear Futures, a strategic delivery and partnership vehicle for the public sector, is supporting the delivery of the Wellsprings project.