Bolton town centre traffic went under the Grapes’ ‘bridge’

Exchange Street, Bolton, 1949 (Picture: Newsquest)Taken in 1949, this photo shows Exchange Street in Bolton looking towards Victoria Square. The van is turning into Mawdsley Street and Back Mawdsley Street is off to the left just before the ‘bridge’ of the Grapes Hotel.

The Grapes was demolished in 1960 as redevelopment around Victoria Square began.

The buildings on the right would also come down and the site become part of Crompton Place. Norweb and HMV would occupy shop units on the right.