The former home of the Lancashire Fusiliers has been given a £1.5 million revamp to be turned into business complex.

Wellington Barracks, in Bolton Road, was the headquarters of the regiment until 1961 and has been vacant since September, 2009, when the Lancashire Fusiliers Museum moved to Moss Street in Bury town centre.

The refurbish-ment was funded by Circle Leasing, which supplies courtesy cars to bodyshops around the UK and will use the former barracks as its headquarters.

The development spans three floors and includes more than 8,000 square feet of office space, some of which the firm will rent out to local businesses, with three other firms currently using the site.

There are also plans to convert the former club house into offices and for a coffee shop for staff and those visiting the memorial garden.

Aidan Minogue, Circle Leasing’s managing director, said: “We’re very proud to be the owners and custodians of this historic building which provides everything we need to deliver an outstanding service to our customers, and to continue to expand our business.”

The future of the barracks had remained unclear when plans for it to be turned into a restaurant, shops and apartments were met with opposition from residents, but did not materialise.

Colonel Eric Davidson, a former Fusilier who was shown around the development, told the firm’s bosses: “I am sure the houses which face you across Bolton Road are very pleased with the end results. Equally you have brought about unison with the neighbours at the rear and enhanced their property.”

Circle Leasing snapped up the former barracks in May, 2012, and was granted planning permission to convert it into office space in October, with work being completed on May 30.

Visit the company's website for more information.