ECOBuilder-Specifiers Journal spring2018

around to suit the direction of arrivals
from the south and creating a new link
bridge. This bridge also incorporates a
stage for performances.
Also in the basement, spare capacity
within the Loading Bay beneath the
1980’s building, adjacent the Vaults,
was utilised to extend the restaurant
and entertainment offer and to create
a vertical link to the shopping centre
and cinema above.
Finally the obstruction of the 1980’s
atrium has been replaced by a simple
volume of glass and steel that unites
all four components of the building –
the 1980’s shopping centre north, the
Market Hall to the south, the Vaults
beneath and the cinema above – in
plan and section. New escalators and
lift link every level whilst views are
opened up between the main entrance
up to the cinema foyer, through to the
north Mall and down to the Vaults.
Throughout the process the design
team has worked closely with the
Planning Department, Conservation
Officer and Historic England to ensure
that the proposals were designed
and developed in the best interests
of the historic building whilst
accommodating new commercial
uses. breathing new life into the
building, re-establishing Bolton Town
Centre as a destination of choice and
opening up an important piece of
Bolton’s heritage to the citizens of the
town for the first time.
52 SPECIFIERS JOURNAL - SPRING 2018