New Bolton Film Office aims to grow its Hollywood of the North reputation
The town has become a popular filming destination for major productions
The borough has become a popular filming destination due to its well-preserved Victorian and neoclassical architecture, particularly around the Town Hall and Le Mans Crescent. These unique features have made it a sought-after location for dozens of film and TV productions.
Recent hits like Peaky Blinders, Happy Valley, and A Gentleman in Moscow have used Bolton’s scenery to tell their stories, with productions from BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Netflix, Paramount+, and Sky all featuring the town. Other shows shot in Bolton include It’s a Sin, Ridley, Brassic, Cold Feet, and Alma's Not Normal.
Since 2020, Bolton has hosted 95 productions with 370 filming days recorded, ranging from documentaries and light entertainment to high-end TV dramas. Its diverse urban and rural backdrops make it suitable for portraying different time periods and locations.
To build on this success, Bolton Council has officially launched the Bolton Film Office. The council-run initiative will promote the town as an affordable filming destination while offering location support and guidance to production companies. It also plans to involve the local creative arts community, working with institutions like the University of Greater Manchester.
Bolton Council says film projects generate significant revenue for the town, with filming bringing in profits of approximately £250,000 annually. Over the last three years, production companies have paid £1.3 million to film in Bolton.
A launch event for the film office included industry networking and a panel discussion hosted by Professor Aaqil Ahmed from the University of Greater Manchester. Panellists included Fiona Fung, film office manager at the council; Chelsea Foster from Creative England; and experienced location manager Ian Findlay. They highlighted Bolton’s growing appeal as a filming hub and its adaptability for productions.
One of Bolton’s most popular filming spots is Le Mans Crescent. Built in the 1930s, it features a striking central archway and Grade II listed buildings. The crescent has doubled for London’s Whitehall and Marble Arch in shows like Peaky Blinders, Top Gear, and Ridley. Its old magistrates’ court and police station have hosted scenes from Happy Valley, Coronation Street, and Cold Feet, thanks to its courtrooms, cells, and annex spaces.
Bolton Council’s cabinet member for culture, Coun Nadeem Ayub, said the launch of the film office would further establish Bolton as a cultural destination.
“Bolton can continue to grow as a cultural destination through filming and the use of its public spaces, fantastic buildings, and green space,” Ayub said. “The new Bolton Film Office will enhance what has already been achieved and will grow our filming across the borough, keeping Bolton firmly in the filming spotlight – maintaining its reputation as being a place truly born to perform.”
The Bolton Film Office aims to strengthen ties with the local arts scene and attract film tourism, celebrating the town's screen heritage while providing location guidance and building a database of filming locations across the borough.