They are knocking the Odeon down!!!

[Soldier_Of_The_White_Army]

while you have a valid point TD, you're a little off the mark I think.

Is the Odeon an exceptional piece of architecture? Hmmm , typical of its era but not necessarily exceptional. Bruce's call of the old fire station has stronger claims for me.

Plus there is a lot of conservation of architecture even where development occurs - you only need look a the Highbury development and the preservation of the art-deco frontage there.

I think as a resident of Bolton sometimes it's easy to miss how rough and scruffy the town looks. I come back and am a bit ashamed of it, take Le Mans Cres out of the equation and it's just another poor-looking former mill town. A town with pretentions of city status but one that lacks facilities and looks run-down. Can anyone name a major business (other than Reebok) that has a significant operation in Bolton town centre? Whether that be a workforce of 500+ or a regional HQ?

When I visit Bolton I stay in a hotel, I have a choice of 2 in the town centre - Holiday Inn and Pack Horse. The Holiday inn is ok but the Pack Horse is a flea pit. Bolton does need redevelopment to generate investment and jobs. But redevelopment and new architecture should not have to mean poor architecture.

Though I agree with the majority of what you have said, I have always felt a great deal of pride in our towns growth whenever I come back to the homeland. If you think Bolton is behind, you should take a look at the so called 'Big towns' that surround London. In some cases you would think your in a Reanactment of Oliver twist.

The town (as far as I'm concerned) has made huge improvements since I left 16 years ago and continues to do so. I guess It's harder to see it when you live their. I have stayed/served and passed through a huge majority of towns in England during my service, and I still haven't experienced a town that can hold a candle to Bolton (though Northampton came pretty close)

[burnden58]

Sticking my neck out here but I don't think Pips was under the Odeon.

It was under the next building, Lever Chambers

[Bruce Rioja]

Bah humbug.
I think it`s about time they tore the dump down,and as for the Market Hall ,people have been moaning about the state of Bolton Town centre for years so they try and make it new and modern and you get the `I remember Budgies in the Arndale aye it where grand brigade.`
I tell you what, get them to build a swimming pool,no done that,ermmm how about a skateboarders complex for the yoof,so that granny smith might not be injured off the nasty skaters whilst she visits Bolton Outdoor Market dragging her shopping trolley around like Juda Ben Hur.
It comes to something when Bury is a better shoping centre than Bolton.

We're discussing the town's architecture, not retailer's choice of location which is ultimately based on anything but.

[Bruce Rioja]

Sticking my neck out here but I don't think Pips was under the Odeon.

It was under the next building, Lever Chambers

Thank feck it's not just me

As I recall Pips was under the Job Centre and later became Space City. Is that right?

[Soldier_Of_The_White_Army]

Sticking my neck out here but I don't think Pips was under the Odeon.

It was under the next building, Lever Chambers

Thank feck it's not just me

As I recall Pips was under the Job Centre and later became Space City. Is that right?

That's the bugger!! Cheers Bruce!

[warthog]

Sticking my neck out here but I don't think Pips was under the Odeon.

It was under the next building, Lever Chambers

Thank feck it's not just me

As I recall Pips was under the Job Centre and later became Space City. Is that right?

It is. It's currently unoccupied. I have a dream of opening a blues club there.

[cowdrill]

what was it called after Space City? i went in one sunday night and it was rough as f***


i think the farnworth mob were in

[Bruce Rioja]

what was it called after Space City? i went in one sunday night and it was rough as f***


i think the farnworth mob were in

It became a nightclub again. I can't be sure but I've got Moneypenny's in my mind.

[communistworkethic]

SOTWA, go look at leeds, manchester, newcastle and Birmingham for how redevelopment can work in city centres.

Bolton, is a mess of 70's architecture and poundshops. They're building hundreds of town centre flats in Bolton. Why??? There's nothing there except 43 pubs/bars in a 400yard radius. There's no real employment and the shops are nothing special.

[bobo the clown]

The first film I saw there was 'Carry-On up the Khyber' !!

A gang of us went during the school holidays, chucked dolly mixtures & maltesers around the flicks, once it went dark & got chucked out near the end. The last thing we saw was the Scot's Guards raising their kilts.

I then went into town & bought Totopoly & my brother got Cluedo.

"... aye, but we were 'appy ... "

[InsaneApache]

Sticking my neck out here but I don't think Pips was under the Odeon.

It was under the next building, Lever Chambers

Probably correct. It was 30 years ago.

A bit after my time but I do believe it did become Moneypennys.

[sluffy]

I also gigged at the Pips nightclub underneath in 1977. Got paid £15, a Kings ransom.

No wonder you got £15, you were at the wrong venue!! - you were probably playing at some illegal rave or something instead of Pips!!!

[Soldier_Of_The_White_Army]

SOTWA, go look at leeds, manchester, newcastle and Birmingham for how redevelopment can work in city centres.

Bolton, is a mess of 70's architecture and poundshops. They're building hundreds of town centre flats in Bolton. Why??? There's nothing there except 43 pubs/bars in a 400yard radius. There's no real employment and the shops are nothing special.

All of which are major cities withing England. With I suspect, have a great deal more money to throw into development of their town centres and surrounding areas. Bolton town is much like it's football club, nowere near the big four, but sitting pretty just behind them. When you look at the likes of Bristol and Oxford (yes that city they say is the bee's knees) Bolton really comes out well.

I don't know how many would agree with me, but I have always felt that Bolton has become a very ambitious town over the last twenty years. Before that it always seamed a town in a ruck.

But of course I can only have my opinion on what I see when I return, and compare it with the other places I have experienced. I don't have the insight that someone who live's there has (not meant as sarcastic)

Over the last twenty years, Bolton has developed great shopping areas in two different locations in the town, an ambitious and unique football stadium, a huge cinema complex (which has some british record about the amount of screens I think, but could be wrong)

I just feel that, there is very little you can get elsewhere that you can't get in Bolton. Unless you want to ride the rollercoster (now that was sarcastic )

P.S forgive the 'now legendary' spelling and grammar, I'm wankered!!

[Zulus Thousand of em]

The last thing we saw was the Scot's Guards raising their kilts.

A pedant writes - Scots Guards don't wear kilts. You may have seen a Highland Infantry Regiment showing off!

[Gidong]

I think the club was called Flags and then the Va Va

[cowdrill]

what was it called after Space City? i went in one sunday night and it was rough as f***


i think the farnworth mob were in

It became a nightclub again. I can't be sure but I've got Moneypenny's in my mind.

no when i went i think it was called Kiss nightclub

something crappy like that

the bouncers checked your were armed before they let you in

[sluffy]

I think the club was called Flags and then the Va Va

You are right mate! (hello and welcome to the site!)

I guess if you remember the Flags / Va Va you must also remember the Bolton glory days of the 1970's.

How about giving us a little bit of an introduction about yourself on the 'New Members' Forum - you know, why you support the club, best game you've seen, and anything else you would like to tell us.

It's not compulsory but it does help to break the ice a little bit.

[InsaneApache]

Whatever happened to 'A Touch of Class' in Little Lever?

[cowdrill]

they got shut down didnt they for having private..ahem..parties!?

[InsaneApache]

What sort of private parties?