AN ICONIC Bolton building has reopened after a costly redevelopment.

The Global Interiors’ premises on Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge, has been turned into a business cooperative.

Visitors to the site can now peruse a furniture business, a refurbished café and bar, a fashion boutique, travel agent’s and bridalwear business Ivory Promise.

The 100 year-old building has a long history, recently existing as a car dealership, an MFI store, and Riley’s snooker hall.

Donna Burrell began Global Interiors in 1997 at Botany Bay in Chorley, moving on to running a showroom in Oswaldtwistle and warehouses in Darwen and Dunscar business park.

She moved the business to the Blackburn Road site in 2014, opening a café there a year later.

After investing around £40,000 in the new café and bar, the site reopened after three months as a venue that could seat 66.

She said: “I always planned to expand here and I’m delighted with what we have now achieved.

“This will allow us to run themed events and private functions.”

Now, Ivory Promise has moved from its former Chorley Old Road premises to the upper showroom.

The wedding and promwear company is run by mother-and-daughter duo Lindsay Suttill and Gill Morris, who launched the brand four years ago.

Gill said: “We only opened here a few weeks ago and are already much busier.

“The new showrooms is bigger and brighter and has allowed us to showcase more designers and increase our services.”

The pair stock a variety of well-known American and European designer labels, and have attracted clients from Dubai, Brussels, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Donna eventually hopes to create a base for artisan businesses and she is keen to hear from local independent food and drink companies.

“It’s a very exciting development,” she stated, “and we want to move forward putting on joint events and providing a showcase for more local businesses.”

There will be an open night at the premises on Thursday, February 20 from 6pm to 9pm with refreshments provided.