The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham met with more than 40 key people to discuss creating a bold new vision for Farnworth.
Public and private landowners, councillors, businesses, developers and community groups were present to discuss the challenges to unlocking the potential of the town centre.
Bolton Council has nominated Farnworth for the Mayor’s Town Centre Challenge – a new initiative which strives to breathe life into areas across the region.
Work has already started to improve a major junction and a busy shopping street as part a multi-million pound redevelopment of Farnworth.
Improvements to the junction of King Street and Market Street are part of the £1.9m Farnworth bus station redevelopment project being delivered in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester.
This work is expected to complete in summer 2018, which is also when the bus station is due to reopen.
Nearby Brackley Street repaving work has also started as part of a £450,000 scheme funded by Bolton Council.
Deputy Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Ebrahim Adia, said: “Farnworth is an important part of our borough and the Town Centre Challenge provides us with an opportunity to unlock its potential.
“The event has helped us to make a start with creating a new vision for Farnworth. We will get the key representatives from the community and our partners together again to build on the momentum the event created.
“Investment is already underway in Farnworth and we understand the difference that regeneration in neighbourhoods can make to local people’s lives.”
Mr Burnham added: “It’s been excellent to come to Farnworth and see first-hand the ambitious plans the council has for the regeneration of the area.
“Revitalising town centres is a key aspiration for me as mayor – developing new homes, building on brownfield land and changing how town centres are used.
“The Town Centre Challenge is a very real opportunity for all 10 of our districts in Greater Manchester to focus attention on areas in need of support, and with my new powers as mayor I am confident we can make real and lasting change.”
Leader of Bolton, Cllr Linda Thomas, added: “We hope this demonstrates what I have been stating – that there is a commitment to giving priority status to regenerate Farnworth and are really pleased to be collaborating with Andy Burnham to speed up the process.”
