Bolton Leader Backs Aldi and Starbucks Plans at B&Q Site 2026

Key Points

• Council leader of Bolton Cllr Akhtar Zaman has approved the plan for construction of development including Aldi shop and a Starbucks drive-through located at Bolton Gate Retail Park.
• It is suggested that the development will include a division of B&Q premises currently located at Kay Street into three separate units with one of the units occupied by B&Q but on smaller scale.
• Aldi shop will move from its current location on Higher Bridge Street where it was opened in 1993 to another unit on site.
• Discount retailer will occupy the third unit but its name is not provided in the planning documents.
• The development will include separate Starbucks drive-through located on the section of current car park.
• According to the plans, B&Q floor space will shrink from 12,500 m2 to 6,800 m2.
• This development is expected to provide the growth in employment from 40 to 85 people.
• There will be facilities included in the application for electric vehicle charging, landscaping, cycle parking, signage, and changes in the design of the car park.
• The number of parking spaces will be reduced from 552 to 510.
• The planning application was submitted on 2 November 2026 with validation date 10 November 2026 under reference 01975/26.

Bolton (Manchester Mirror) November 14, 2026 – It has backed plans that could bring an Aldi store, a Starbucks drive-through and an additional discount retailer to the B&Q site at Bolton Gate Retail Park, describing the proposals as a potential source of local jobs, investment and improved access.

As reported by The Bolton News, Cllr Akhtar Zaman, who is both ward councillor and council leader, said he welcomed the application for the prominent Kay Street site. The proposals would reconfigure the existing B&Q warehouse into multiple units while retaining a smaller B&Q store at the retail park.

Under the plans, Aldi would move from its long-standing Higher Bridge Street store into part of the existing B&Q building. A further unit would be created for a discount retailer whose identity has not been publicly named, while a standalone Starbucks drive-through would be built within the existing car park.

What Has Bolton Council’s Leader Said?

Cllr Zaman said the scheme could create employment opportunities for residents and provide services for people across Bolton.

As reported by The Bolton News, Cllr Akhtar Zaman said:

“As a ward councillor and also leader of the council, I welcome the proposal.”

He added:

“The Aldi store and the Starbucks will create employment opportunities for local residents and provide much-needed services for Bolton people.”

Cllr Zaman also said the site was “right in the middle of residential areas from different parts of Bolton”.

He suggested that Aldi’s relocation could bring wider benefits if it moved to a more accessible location. According to The Bolton News, he said:

“If they’re moving to a better location in terms of accessibility, which I think it is, it will reduce congestion in that area of Higher Bridge Street and contribute to quality of life for local people.”

How Would the B&Q Site Change?

The application seeks to divide the existing B&Q unit into three parts. B&Q would continue trading from the site, but its footprint would be reduced from around 12,500 square metres to approximately 6,800 square metres.

According to planning documents cited by The Bolton News, B&Q is seeking to “right-size” its operation. A B&Q spokesperson said: “If the planning is successful, it will give us the opportunity to right-size and make improvements to our store, including modernising the space for our customers and colleagues.”

Place North West reported that the existing Kay Street B&Q store is about 137,000 square feet and that the proposals would reduce its footprint to around 74,000 square feet. The publication said BNP Paribas had applied to Bolton Council for permission to subdivide the large unit into three parts.

The plans would retain B&Q’s garden centre and TradePoint service, although the TradePoint entrance would be demolished to make way for the new units. Lancs Live reported that no staff were understood to be at risk under the proposals.

What New Businesses Are Proposed?

The application identifies Aldi as the intended occupier of one proposed retail unit. Place North West reported that the proposed Aldi store would be about 20,000 square feet and that the supermarket would relocate from Higher Bridge Street, where it has traded since 1993.

A second unit of about 25,000 square feet is earmarked for an unnamed discount retailer. The Bolton News reported that planning documents describe the business as a discount retailer, but do not name it.

A standalone Starbucks drive-through of about 2,200 square feet is proposed on the southern part of the 9.3-acre site’s existing car park. Planning documents state that the drive-through café operator identified the location because of its proximity to Bolton town centre.

How Many Jobs Could Be Created?

Developers say the scheme could almost double employment opportunities at the retail park. Planning documents submitted to Bolton Council state that the site currently supports the equivalent of around 40 full-time jobs.

The proposed introduction of Aldi, Starbucks and the second retailer is expected to raise that figure to about 85 full-time-equivalent roles. The Bolton News reported that this represents an uplift of around 45 full-time-equivalent positions.

The proposed Aldi unit would provide around 12 additional jobs, the discount retailer around 22.9 jobs and the Starbucks drive-through around 10 jobs. The plans are also expected to retain B&Q’s existing workforce.

What Improvements Are Included in the Plans?

The application includes new electric-vehicle charging infrastructure, upgraded landscaping, cycle parking, new signage and alterations to the existing car-park layout. The Bolton News reported that the plans also include changes to the building’s frontage and alterations to the existing building.

Parking provision would fall from 552 spaces to 510. Developers argue that the practical impact would be negligible because a number of existing spaces are currently leased to other users.

The planning documents also state that traffic assessments found the scheme would have a “negligible effect” on the surrounding road network.

What Do the Planning Documents Say?

Planning documents describe the proposal as a “sustainable and positive evolution” of an established commercial location in Bolton. They state that dividing the existing retail unit responds to current market needs, supports retention of the existing tenant and introduces new operators to diversify and strengthen the retail offer.

The documents also say the proposal makes efficient use of previously developed land, uses existing infrastructure and improves the site’s visual quality through landscaping and facade improvements. They add that a drive-through café and improved parking arrangements would enhance customer experience and accessibility.

The application also states that Aldi’s existing Bolton store “no longer meets the modern standards Aldi and its customers expect”.

What Is the Current Planning Status?

The application remains under consideration by Bolton Council. It was received on 2 November 2026 and validated on 10 November 2026, according to publicly accessible planning data reported by Planning Geek.

The application reference is 01975/26. The proposal seeks subdivision of the existing unit to create two additional Class E retail units, demolition of TradePoint-related structures, changes to the building frontage, a café within the car park, external alterations and associated work.

No planning decision has been issued. The council’s published dates show neighbour and standard consultations expiring on 1 December 2026, with the press advertisement period running until 15 December 2026.

Background of the Development

Bolton Gate Retail Park is on Kay Street, close to Bolton town centre. The site includes a large B&Q store, and the proposals would retain the retailer while creating space for additional businesses.

Aldi has operated from Higher Bridge Street since 1993, according to Place North West. The proposed move would relocate the supermarket to a site closer to Bolton town centre and within an established retail park.

The application has been reported by The Bolton News, Manchester Evening News, Lancs Live, Place North West and Planning Geek. The reports consistently describe a planning application rather than an approved scheme, and no opening date has been confirmed.

Prediction: How Could This Affect Bolton Residents and Businesses?

If approved and delivered as proposed, the development could give Bolton residents a relocated Aldi, a Starbucks drive-through and another discount retailer within Bolton Gate Retail Park. For shoppers, this could mean more retail and food-and-drink options close to the town centre, alongside improved parking arrangements, EV charging and cycle facilities.

For local workers, the plans could add around 45 full-time-equivalent roles across the proposed Aldi, unnamed discount retailer and Starbucks drive-through, while retaining existing B&Q employment. The actual number and timing of jobs would depend on planning approval, retailer agreements, construction and eventual recruitment.

For businesses and residents around Higher Bridge Street, a relocation of Aldi could change local footfall and traffic patterns. Cllr Zaman has suggested that a more accessible location could reduce congestion in the Higher Bridge Street area, although the council has not yet determined the application and the traffic assessment conclusions remain subject to the planning process.

For Bolton Gate Retail Park, the proposals could diversify its retail offer by replacing part of a single large store with three separate occupiers. The outcome will depend on Bolton Council’s assessment of the application, consultation responses and any conditions attached to a future decision.