Tag: Bolton

The Mandalorian & Grogu, Middlebrook Cinema, Bolton

The Mandalorian & Grogu

The University of Greater Manchester based in Bolton

The University of Greater Manchester (formerly known as the University of Bolton from 2005 to 2024) is a public university based in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England.

University of Greater Manchester, from 2024

It is a “post-92” institution that officially rebranded in late 2024 to reflect its regional focus and, according to its vice-chancellor, to overcome employer prejudice against the smaller town name of Bolton.

LinkedIn Group: 

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/51224

The university dates its roots back to 1824 and focuses on applied research, practical skills, and teaching, with a strong regional reputation for student satisfaction. 

🏛️ Comprehensive Insight: University of Greater Manchester 

  • Location: Main campus on Deane Road and Derby Street in Bolton town centre, with a new city-centre partner campus (“UoB Manchester”) opened in 2023.
  • Origins: Founded as Bolton Mechanics’ Institute in 1824–1825.
  • Status: Granted taught degree-awarding powers in 1990/1992 and full university status in 2004/2005.
  • Key Focus: Teaching-intensive with a focus on employability, particularly in Nursing, Engineering, Business, and Creative Arts.
  • Size: Approximately 11,000–12,500 students, including international partnerships (e.g., Ras Al Khaimah, Colombo).
  • Rebrand: The University of Bolton rebranded to the University of Greater Manchester on December 20, 2024. 

📜 Detailed Historic Timeline (1824–2025)

Era 1: Foundations (1824–1900)

  • 1824/1825: Establishment of the Bolton Mechanics’ Institute to provide technical education to the working population.
  • Late 19th Century: The Institute becomes a vital hub for adult education in industrial Bolton. 

Era 2: The Technical Institution (1900–1980)

  • Early 20th Century: The institution becomes known as Bolton Technical College, expanding technical and scientific skills.
  • 1950s–1960s: Expansion of teacher training and higher-level technical qualifications.
  • 1964: A 50-ton steam hammer is used at Thomas Walmsley’s Atlas Forge, which later becomes a heritage exhibit on the university’s Deane Campus. 

Era 3: Formation of Higher Education (1980–2003)

  • 1982: Bolton Institute of Higher Education (BIHE) is formed by merging the technical and education colleges.
BIHE – Bolton Institute of Higher Education
  • 1990s: Gained taught degree-awarding powers (1990/1992) and research degree powers (1996).
  • 1998: Mollie Temple becomes principal, leading a successful drive for full university status. 
BIHE, view from front left side

Era 4: The University of Bolton (2004–2024)

  • 2004–2005: Formally inaugurated as the University of Bolton following Privy Council approval.
University of Bolton, 2004 – 2024 – UoB
  • 2012: Opened the £31 million “Bolton One” health and research facility in partnership with local NHS and council.
  • 2019/2020: Responded to “The Cube” fire incident and launched initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 2023: Opened a new partner campus in Manchester city centre (“UoB Manchester”) and initiated the name change process. 

Era 5: The University of Greater Manchester (2024–Present) 

  • Dec 20, 2024: Officially rebranded to the University of Greater Manchester.
University of Greater Manchester (front) from Dec 20, 2024
  • 2025: Facing internal investigations regarding governance and financial management, while focusing on expanding health and engineering sectors. 

The University of Greater Manchester based in Bolton

Website Author, Higher National Diploma – HND in Computer Studies in 1990 at BIHE
BIHE, view from left side

University of Greater Manchester Bolton formerly Bolton Institute BIHE LinkedIn

University of Greater Manchester Bolton formerly Bolton Institute BIHE LinkedIn

Group link: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/51224

Middlebrook Retail Park, Horwich, Bolton Detailed Timeline by Era

Middlebrook Retail Park, located in Horwich, Bolton, is one of the largest integrated retail and leisure destinations in the UK. Covering approximately 200 acres at Junction 6 of the M61, it serves as a mixed-use complex combining over 60 high-street stores with major leisure facilities, two hotels, and the home of Bolton Wanderers F.C.. 

Middlebrook Retail Park, Horwich, Bolton Detailed Timeline by Era

Historical Timeline of Middlebrook

Pre-Development Era (16th Century – 1994) 

  • 16th Century: The site was originally home to Sefton Fold Farm, a three-bay timber-framed farmhouse.
  • Late Medieval: Archaeological digs later revealed a moated site and pottery from this era.
  • Pre-1994: Much of the land consisted of open fields and the former Red Moss tip. 

Inception & Construction Era (1994 – 1997)

  • 1994: Plans for the ambitious scheme were first announced, including a 25,000-seater stadium and 6,000-seater indoor arena.
  • 1995: Outline planning applications for the football stadium were approved in July.
  • 1996: Orbit Developments (part of The Emerson Group) began physical construction. By Christmas, many key buildings were already constructed.
  • 1997: The Reebok Stadium (now Toughsheet Community Stadium) was inaugurated on 1 September with a match between Bolton and Everton.
  • 1997 (Summer): Initial food outlets like McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and KFC opened for business. 

Establishment & Expansion Era (1998 – 2005)

  • 1998: The first retail businesses officially began operating.
  • 2001: Bolton Arena (USN Bolton Arena) opened in the spring after winning a development grant.
  • 2001: Annual visitor numbers reached 12.5 million for the first time.
  • 2002: The site hosted events for the Manchester Commonwealth Games at the sports arena.
  • 2005: Marks & Spencer (M&S) secured planning permission to occupy a vacant store, marking a significant shift toward major non-food retail. 

Modern Maturity Era (2006 – Present)

  • 2006: A time capsule was buried by schoolchildren to celebrate a decade of development.
  • 2006 (October): Several high-profile stores opened, including HMV and Clarks.
  • 2020s: The park continues to house over 62 high-street brands including ASDA Supercentre, Vue Cinema, and Hollywood Bowl.
  • Present: It remains a top-ranked UK retail park, attracting over 910,000 shoppers per month. 

Middlebrook Retail Park, Horwich, Bolton Detailed Timeline by Era

Middlebrook Retail Park, Horwich, Bolton Detailed Timeline by Era

1988 to 1990 : University of Bolton (previously Bolton Institute of Higher Education – BIHE) – now University of Greater Manchester since 2024

1988 to 1990 : University of Bolton (previously Bolton Institute of Higher Education – BIHE) – now University of Greater Manchester since 2024

Bolton Institute of Higher Education, BIHE in 1988

LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/51224

Dr. Fred Dibnah MBE today, Bolton, UK

Dr. Fred Dibnah MBE today, Bolton, UK

At Middlebrook Cinema, Bolton, 22/10

At Middlebrook Cinema, Bolton, 22/10

At Waterstones, Bolton

Waterstones, Bolton

Bolton Market Place Shopping Centre today, 13/10

Bolton Market Place Shopping Centre

Bolton Market Hall is a listed building in Bolton, Greater Manchester that is now the Market Place Shopping Centre. The market hall and its integral ground-floor shops on Bridge Street, Corporation Street and Knowsley Street are included in the English Heritage listing.

Bolton Market Hall was designed by architect G. T. Robinson, and opened on 19 December 1855. Measuring 294 feet (90 m) in length and covering an area of 7,000 square yards (5,900 m2) it was said to be ‘the largest covered market in the kingdom’. It cost £50,000.

A long procession led to the opening ceremony. To complement the produce stalls and boost custom, a fish market was built next to it which opened in 1865 at a cost of £30,000. The fish market was demolished in September 1932.

The market hall was modified in 1894 and further alterations were carried out at the turn of the 20th century. In 1938 the interior layout changed with roofed stalls in tightly packed islands replacing the long rows of stalls and in 1982 a competition brief to redevelop the site immediately to the north of the market hall into a shopping centre was won by Chapman Taylor Partners. In 1985 Grosvenor Developments took over the Market Place project from Wimpey Property Holdings.

The hall was refurbished in the 1980s to become the Market Place Shopping Centre and was opened in 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II.

At Dunscar Golf Club, Bolton – 12/10

At Dunscar Golf Club, Bolton – 12/10