Belles of Bolton on the way to Market Place Center

Belles of Bolton is a shop selling handmade gifts and homewares.

Michelle Oxford, 47, started the business five years ago, originally as a pop-up shop before moving to premises in Crompton Place.

The move comes after the mall was purchased by Bolton Council in 2018 with plans to demolish the building and redevelop the area.

On Saturday, Belles opened as usual, but finally said goodbye to the unit near closing time.

She said: “It's been steadily decreasing I would say, especially since Marks and Spencer moved away it's calmed down.

“I was born and raised in Bolton so I saw Crompton Place fall into disrepair over the years, knowing it was such a busy center – there have been so many shops here…

“Even when I started five years ago, the number of stores was double what it is now.

“So it's sad, it's a sad time to say goodbye to it.

“But I do think it's necessary, I think it's time to move on to pastures new.”

She runs the business with her husband Peter Slater, 49, and hopes the move will help them grow and reach new customers.

Michelle said: “I love being part of the town centre, meeting all my customers and just being part of the town center as a whole.

“I think it might be my favorite part of running the business, just meeting everyone and hearing people's stories.

“I mean, it's not just my customers, I've built friendships over the last five years and people come to me.

“I've seen births, marriages, deaths…I've seen it all, you know, my clients.

“So it's a nice connection and I think that's what big companies are missing, honestly, because that's what small companies can provide.

“That one-on-one customer service interaction for customers and I think that is a very special part of what Belles stands for.”

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Belles will move to a Market Place unit on Corporation Street, with an opening date yet to be confirmed.

Michelle said: “I'm sure my customers will follow me so I'm very grateful for that, but hopefully that side of town will be where the most shops are.

“On the other side of the city, customers are more likely to come by – so fingers crossed it's positive.

“Everyone is talking about Primark, but let's not forget the shops.”

Primark was the biggest name to make the switch from Crompton Place to Market Place and will open on November 27.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: “As landlords of Crompton Place, the council has kept tenants regularly informed of our plans for the building.

“We have already helped the majority of tenants to move elsewhere in the city center and that offer of assistance remains available.

“The upcoming regeneration of Crompton Place will be our flagship redevelopment, attracting further foreign investment and ultimately benefiting all Bolton residents and businesses.”

WH Smith recently confirmed they would be closing their store in Crompton Place, with no plans to reopen elsewhere.

WH Smith has said that they plan to focus on their travel retail business and have closed many high street stores across the UK.

There is also a WH Smith at Bolton train station.

The Crompton Place shopping center will be demolished next year, with plans to transform the space into a mixed-use food and beverage and office development.

A number of businesses have since moved, including SpecSavers, The Works and Primark, which will move to Market Place this month.

However, there is still no developer in place, although the municipality hopes to have a contractor in place before demolition begins.