FINGERS crossed that Bolton’s town centre store Whitakers survives the current recession.
Pre-tax losses prompted speculation but Beales, which now owns the Deansgate venue, say it is here to stay and there are no plans to close it.
Difficult trading conditions have already meant the loss of high street favourites like Woolworths but there is a different additional element at stake here. Whitakers and the late, lamented Whiteheads’ store further up the same road, were started by local families and became symbols of the town’s enduring retail success.
The famous black and white building continues to be an outward sign that there is still a way of moving Bolton’s successful commercial past into the future, and I sincerely hope that one of my favourite stores continues to be with us for a long time to come.
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