New Co-op store planned for former La Scala restaurant site in Westhoughton

A former Italian restaurant on Chorley Road could soon be transformed into a Co-op convenience store, if new plans are approved by Bolton Council.

The proposal, submitted under application number 21149/25, seeks permission to convert the former La Scala restaurant at 49 Chorley Road, Westhoughton into a Class E convenience store on the ground floor, with offices created on the upper floor. The scheme also includes extensions and alterations to the existing building and a redesigned car park layout.

If approved, the new Co-op would see a modern shopfront added to the corner building, replacing the restaurant’s distinctive bay windows and canopy with a single-storey retail frontage. Plans also include a delivery yard, waste storage area and parking for customers and staff.

End of an era for La Scala

La Scala was a well-known fixture in Westhoughton for more than two decades, popular for its Italian menu and family dining. The restaurant closed in 2025, bringing an end to one of the town’s most recognisable eateries.

The building has remained vacant since, but the new plans suggest a significant investment in reviving the site and giving it a new role on one of Westhoughton’s busiest roads.

What the plans show

Architectural drawings submitted to Bolton Council show a major renovation of the existing red-brick property. A new front extension would create space for the store entrance and display windows, while the rear section would be extended at ground and first-floor level to provide additional office accommodation.