Bolton’s iconic Iron Church could become a centre for ‘business start-ups and young entrepreneurs’ as new plans for the building are unveiled.
The church, at a gateway location at the edge of the town centre on Blackburn Road, is a Grade II Listed building. It was built in 1897 in red squared sandstone with dominant tower and spire designed by John Simpson under the patronage of Lord Leverhulme.
In planning documents published by Bolton Council this week, applicant Mubeen Afzal has proposed a change of use to allow the building to be used as offices, as well an education and training centre.
The application states: “The proposal is to retain the existing building and create three floors with internal partitions where offices, common rooms, hot desking areas or co-working spaces and educational and training rooms, will be situated. There will also be a ground floor cafeteria for use by employees, staff and students.
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“The spaces in the facility will be open for local businesses, start-ups, young entrepreneurs, and also provide educational and training workshop space for the local community.”
The application added that no works were proposed to be done externally.
The internal conversion would create three floors and partitions needed to create the offices and other facilities like offices, toilets, stairs, disabled access, and cafeteria. It added that access to the site would be from Draycott Street, an entrance fronting Blackburn Road and from the rear car park on Back Latham Street, through the site court yard.
The conclusion of the application, said: “It is anticipated that the majority of employees and users will live and work locally. With the normal working hours of 9-5pm, level of activity resulting from the proposed change of use will not adversely impact on the character of the area. The location and building is ideally suited for the activities proposed and breathes new life to the site which is much needed.”
The Iron Church was marketed for sale in 2018 for £375,000.
Planning permission was previously obtained in February 2017 for it to be used as a training, education and community centre. The church was originally built using corrugated iron, which is where the name comes from.
It was replaced by the current building which was opened in 1897. The final congregation worshipped there in 1990 and the building has had a number of different uses since then, including an antiques centre, a furniture store and a wedding venue. The building is a designated heritage asset and Grade II listed.
