Latest news with #BoltonNews'
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jungle-themed play area that's a town centre 'staple' finalist in competition
An adventure play centre that has held children 'in awe' for nearly 10 years is vying for Best Indoor Family Entertainment 2025. Amazonia is based in The Vaults at Bolton town centre's Market Place. It has been chosen by readers as a top ten finalist in Bolton News' competition. Its rainforest-themed play areas and arcades have proven popular with children of all ages – along with 18 holes of 'Lost Valley' adventure golf. But in 2019, it nearly closed for good. Jonathan Sangster, owner of Amazonia, said: 'It closed when the owners went out of business and we were all made redundant. 'But we were given the opportunity to reopen it for the Christmas period [that year] as a Santa's Grotto to raise money for Bolton Children's ward. That was supposed to be it. 'I felt strongly that Amazonia was a great place for families to visit that we needed to do everything we could to get it back up and running. 'We got such a great response from the Santa's Grotto that we thought it was viable to keep it going and [that's what] we did. Jonathan Sangster (Image: Public) 'Coronavirus hit in March 2020. We shut again and thought that would be the end of it. 'But again, customers stuck with us and kept returning. Since then, we've gone from strength to strength. 'Amazonia has been open for around 10 years now. A lot of people have been coming here for a long time. 'There are people who came when we initially opened as teenagers that are now bringing their children in, which is great to see. 'We feel like we're a real staple of the town centre.' (Image: Public) When asked what it felt like to be nominated, Jonathan said: 'I was very excited. The team do a great job so it's nice to see it's been noticed by our customers. 'We've been lucky having some great staff over the years who go above and beyond for people.' Now, Amazonia boasts a new under-5s play area and have refitted a large indoor play area for children aged four to 14. (Image: Public) Jonathan said: 'We've got something for everybody, from the jungle café which serves hot and cold food to mini golf and arcade machines. 'A jungle-themed experience like this is unusual, too. There's nothing like it in Bolton. When kids come, they're in awe of the place.' To vote pick up a copy of today's paper.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cinema which shows films from just £5.99 up for top award
A Bolton cinema has been shortlisted for a top award. The Light in Market Place Shopping Centre has made the final ten of the Bolton News' Best Family Entertainment Venue 2025. It opened in 2016 and has has nine 'state of the art' screens and is the only town centre cinema in Bolton. It also has a bar area. Tickets for films are from just £5.99. Since is opened it has been a huge hit and a great addition to the offering at Market Place Shopping Centre. One Google Review said: "Clean & comfortable. Friendly helpful staff. Read more: Read more: Read more: "We went on a Thursday afternoon and there were only five of us in the screen, pity more people aren't using it at only £5 per person for anyone over 60 on a Thursday, it's a bargain. Look/ask for Silver Screen." Another customer added: "Nice modern cinema based in Bolton's indoor market shopping centre. "Plenty of parking in the multistory next door. We called during the day and virtually had it to ourselves. "The Staff are nice and friendly. Very clean inside. Nice clean toilets. There's a bar serving alcohol and tea/coffee as well as snacks. A nice seating area for waiting before you go in." A third explained: "Been here a few times with my little ones for the kids screenings and it has always been a really great experience. "The staff are really friendly and welcoming, the front of house and each screen room is clean and tidy and my kids always comment on how comfy the seats are! "The food is good and reasonably priced to especially compared to other cinema chains." "Good cinema. Clean and nice staff. Tickets are affordable. Food is typical for a cinema. Been many times and will go many more," another happy punter said. You can find The Light located on the top floor of the Market Place Shopping Centre, Knowsley St, Bolton BL1 2AL To vote please pick up a copy of today's paper.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Why huge military plane was flying low over reservoir this week
An RAF aircraft was spotted flying low over a reservoir earlier this week. The military plane was seen by a member of the Bolton News' Camera Club over Anglezarke Reservoir near Chorley on Tuesday, March 11. A RAF spokesperson said: "A single A400M Atlas from RAF Brize Norton, completed a routine currency sortie today around the Anglezarke area, which included a low level air drop. "This type of training ensures our pilots continue to be ready for global operations." The Atlas C.1 A400M model is capable over carrying a 37-tonne payload over 2,000nm, and was spotted a long way from its base in Oxfordshire. According to the RAF, the Atlas is capable of operating at altitudes up to 40,000ft but also "impressive" low-level capability. The aircraft is based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and flies with four different squadrons. These are the 206 Test and Evaluation Squadron, the 30 Squadron, the LXX Squadron and the XXIV Squadron. The Atlas C.1 A400M aircraft was spotted over Anglezarke (Image: Dylan Harrison)Have a story? Get in touch at The Atlas is designed for carrying paratroopers and can hold as many as 116 fully-equipped troops. The RAF uses a variety of training areas around the whole of the UK for training and vary their routes and training locations for maximum training benefit. This allows pilots to train in varied environments to prepare for operations across the world. READ MORE: Former RAF pilot dies 'having lavished 103 years of love into the world' READ MORE: Minister condemns protesters who forced RAF out of university jobs fairs READ MORE: United States Air Force statement after aircraft fly over Bury The design of the Atlas was first proposed in February 1999 and accepted the following year. The first model had its maiden flight on December 11, 2009. The type is officially known as the Atlas but the term A400 is more commonly heard in use at its RAF Brize Norton base.
