Bolton Town Hall in £3.5m refurbishment

Bolton Council has announced plans to spend up to £3.5m refurbishing the town hall.

It comes as the authority plans to make £34m of savings between 2013 and 2015 due to cuts in its government grant.

The council says the refurbishment means more staff will be able to work in the building, which will lead to savings on property costs.

Council leader Councillor Cliff Morris (Labour) said the council would save £1m annually on leasing buildings.

"We will be able to sell buildings, come out of leases and raise some capital," he said.

Mr Morris added: "It is not as if we are gilding the lily, we are making it a working building for the people of Bolton."

"It is one of those situations where you have to spend money to save money, over four years we will get our money back."

Between 300 to 400 staff will move into the town hall once the work is completed.

The refurbishment will centre on the building's interior.