Social impact developer CAPITAL&CENTRIC – stars of BBC Two’s Manctopia – has agreed a deal with Bolton Council to redevelop the former market precinct in Farnworth town centre.
The plans will see the site transformed into a “vibrant, mixed-use community” based on the developer’s neighbourhood housing concept, and will include over 200 modern homes centred around a new public square for artisan markets, live events and more.
The plans also include a new flexible space for community uses and events, with a village hall feel, which could host vintage fairs, art galleries, and pop-up gin bars.
It will also see a linear park and spaces for café-bars, delis, a mini-cinema, gym and co-working.
Located on King Street in the heart of the town centre, the site is a short walk from the train station with easy access into Bolton and Manchester, and on the doorstep of the refurbished bus-station, making it an ideal location for commuters.
Speaking on the newly-reached deal, Tim Heatley – Co-Founder of CAPITAL&CENTRIC – said: “This is about rebooting and modernising the market town. By creating 200 new homes around the square, we’re bringing life, and spending power, back to the town centre, so it’ll have its own ecosystem.
“We’re looking to attract the region’s best artists, makers and indie operators to set up home here.
“If you jump on a train you can be in Manchester in less than 20 minutes, so we see this rivalling the city centre with the same quality homes but affordable to more people from young professionals to downsizers.
“All surrounded by an incredible public square, plenty of trees and loads of places to hang out.”
Cllr Martyn Cox – Deputy Leader of Bolton Council – added: “It’s great to see such exciting development plans for Farnworth town centre. CAPITAL&CENTRIC have a fantastic track record of not just creating buildings but communities for people to live, work and socialise in, which is what is needed to transform Farnworth town centre and make it more vibrant, attractive for visitors and fit for the future.”
Cllr Paul Sanders – Chair of the Farnworth Steering Group – said: “This is real progress and what we’ve been waiting for. The delivery of the key development proposals in the masterplan is vital for Farnworth and the plans proposed by CAPITAL&CENTRIC are welcomed.
“Our ambition is to rejuvenate the town centre and bring in new community facilities for our residents [and] we are looking forward to sharing the plans with Farnworthians, Kearsleyites and our partners.”
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CAPITAL&CENTRIC is planning to launch a public consultation on the plans – which are being designed by architects BDP – in the new year.
This is CAPITAL&CENTRIC’s first project in Bolton, following other town centre schemes in Stockport and Rochdale being announced earlier this year, and the developer is famed for its high quality and bold designs, with a focus on creating a positive social impact.
Farnworth reached the second phase of the UK government’s Future High Streets Fund – a multi-million pound pot of cash set up to make high streets fit for the future – after the council submitted a business case in June 2020, and is waiting to hear whether the £19m bid has been successful.
The additional funds would help in the delivery of a number of key development projects identified in the Farnworth town centre masterplan.
Farnworth is also one of Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham’s Town Centre “challenge” areas.
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You can find more information via the CAPITAL&CENTRIC website here.
Property
Sneak peak inside swanky new homes ready to rent in an up-and-coming Greater Manchester town
Emily Sergeant
Dozens of swanky new homes are now available to rent in an up-and-coming Greater Manchester town.
A collection of exciting first look images have been released of the new homes.
The reboot of the former derelict market precinct in the suburban Bolton town of Farnworth is being spearheaded by Capital&Centric, and the social impact developers behind the project are now giving prospective renters a sneak peak into the developed.
Dubbed Farnworth Green, the new community consists of 97 rental homes, made up of a super energy-efficient range of townhouses and apartments.
The development will be comprised of a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom properties, with 85 stunning apartments and 12 family homes – all of which have been designed with the same high-quality features that are usually reserved for Capital&Centric‘s city centre spaces.
Designed for renters, the dozens of new homes come with even more living space, as well private gardens to be enjoyed when the sun makes an appearance, and potting sheds for all the green-fingered people out there.
Residents will also have access to the exclusive rooftop garden, gym, lounge, co-working spaces, and dog washing stations for their four-legged friends.
The two-bed apartments are packed with Scandi-designed HAY furniture and massive floor-to-ceiling windows to flood the rooms with light, while the the top-spec kitchens are kitted-out with all the mod-comms and latest appliances you would expect.
The new townhouses, on the other hand, will be the first to be delivered under the developer’s ‘Neighbourhood’ brand.
Pioneering new homes at Farnworth Green are now available to rent / Credit: Capital&Centric (Supplied)
This includes Bolton’s first-ever operationally net zero homes, aiming to ‘slash’ energy bills for residents.
A raft of independent bars, eateries, and shops will also be taking shape on the ground floor of the community hub, giving locals and residents a place to meet up and enjoy seasonal outdoor events that will be planned once the neighbourhood is up and running.
Residents will also be able to spend time in a brand-new public square at the heart of the community, which will play host to artisan markets, art shows, and foodie pop-ups.
A collection of exciting first look images have been released of the new homes / Credit: Capital&Centric (Supplied)
“We’re buzzing to see the new homes come to life at Farnworth Green,” commented Tom Wilmot, who is the joint Managing Director of Capital&Centric.
“Farnworth Green is all about creating new and exciting spaces for businesses and the community to spend time in, as well as delivering a pioneering new town centre living experience and giving disused retail areas a new lease of life.”
Capital&Centric is encouraging people to sign-up fast to secure a viewing for the remaining apartment here, or walk-ins will be welcomed too.
Featured Image – Capital&Centric (Supplied)
Property
Manchester to get ANOTHER new city centre park as plans get green light
Emily Sergeant
You wait 100 years for a new city centre park, and then two come along one after the other.
That’s right, merely a few years after Mayfield Park finally opened to the Manchester public after more than a century without one, it’s now been revealed that another park is planned for the city centre, as the Government has given the green light to a major new ‘digital campus’ bringing 7,000 civil service jobs to the region.
The new state-of-the-art hub, which will be known as Manchester Digital Campus, will be constructed on the site of the former Central Retail Park in Ancoats, alongside the new park.
As mentioned, the campus will bring together a number of Civil Service departments, all with a focus around digital skills, and the Government claims it will create ‘significant employment opportunities’ and ‘economic benefits’ in the region.
Ultimately, Government ministers say these ambitious plans are set to boost Manchester’s digital and tech sector.
Our proposed plans for the Manchester Digital Campus have received the green light!
The state-of-the-art campus in Ancoats will bring together a number of Civil Service departments with a focus around digital skills.
— Government Property Agency (the GPA) (@UKGovPropAgency) February 20, 2025
Alongside the new campus, however, is the perhaps even-more-exciting addition of a new urban park, which is aiming to improve access to quality green space for city centre residents and visitors, while also creating a connection to the existing Cotton Field Park behind and through to Ancoats and New Islington.
The park space has been designed in collaboration with landscape architects Planit-IE following public consultation.
According to Manchester City Council, a central lawn and plaza will create a ‘green buffer’ to Great Ancoats Street, with various tiered gardens navigating the different level changes across the site, alongside play areas, paths, and tranquil areas to escape the noise of the city.
The park has also been designed to make sure that it’s fully accessible for all.
A new digital campus by @UKGovPropAgency bringing 7,000 quality jobs to Manchester has been approved.
The campus will transform a derelict former retail site alongside a new city centre park in Ancoats.
The site will accommodate new walking and cycling routes, helping to link to other city centre active travel investment in Ancoats, Northern Quarter, and out towards the Etihad Campus.
“The new park is a welcome addition to our city centre green spaces,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the leader of Manchester City Council.
“It’s a reimagining of the former retail site that has for many years acted only as a barrier to the community behind – and an eyesore in one of the most exciting parts of our city.”
Emily Sergeant -
14th December 2020 
