A BUSINESSMAN is hoping to get Bolton town centre “thriving again” by investing £600,000 to knock down an eyesore building and create 12 studio flats in its place.

Danyaal Iqbal bought the building located at 1-11 Bank Street East towards the end of last year.

The property used to be occupied by Firstclass Furnishings until it closed down and the building had since become derelict.

Mr Iqbal said he wants to turn the building into something positive to try and help regenerate the town.

He said: “There’s so much negativity about shops closing down so it’s just nice to actually try and do something positive.

“I’ve had offers to invest elsewhere but because I’m local, I really wanted to help regenerate Bolton town centre.”

An application to demolish the building and build 12 studio flats was submitted to Bolton Council at the start of April.

If approved, Mr Iqbal estimates he will put £600,000 into the project.

“It’s a big investment,” he added. “It’s been quite difficult and expensive just to get to this point.

“I have a big extended family and they’ve helped out though. My dad has chipped in, my brothers have chipped in.”

Plans for the flats have been drawn up by Bolton-based architects RA Design and Project Management.

RA Design said the proposals “bring forward much needed additional homes in times of a chronic undersupply of homes both locally and nationally.”

If approved, the building would be three storeys, with four flats on each floor.

A typical flat is shown as having a double bedroom, a joint living area and kitchen, and a bathroom.

In a design and access statement, RA Design has described the flats as being suitable for a number of different demographics, including: single person households, young professionals, students, elderly or those on modest to low incomes.

Mr Iqbal added that while the flats will be affordable, they will still be attractive.

He said: “I’d say the flats will be very nice but still affordable. We’re certainly not going to scrimp, save or cut corners with them.”

The application will not go to planning committee and instead will be decided by a planning officer.

Mr Iqbal added he is willing to fully co-operate with any suggestions made by planning officials.

He said: “It’s like a negotiation process, they may suggest different materials we should use for it and things like that.

“I’m feeling very positive about it though and the architects are as well.”