REGARDING the opening of the Oasis Bar on Blackburn Road and the opposition to it.

The area in question is home to a very mixed and diverse community, many of whom will welcome the opening of a new bar.

For those who don’t use the bar it is both selfish and authoritarian to deny other people access to it.

The theological restrictions on alcohol consumption do not apply to all members of this diverse community and should not be pushed on others who are not subject to such restrictions.

Issues such as this should be represented in an inclusive and balanced way within the framework of local democracy and local democratic representation and not represented by the interests of a particular group over the wishes of the wider diverse community.

This type of particularism is both divisive and a hindrance to working towards community cohesion in Bolton.

I would hope in the future that such protests take into consideration the wishes and opinions of the wider community.

Steve Jones Great Lever