BOLTON looked good for its annual Food and Drink Festival last weekend.

In fact, if you came into the town centre for any of its four days, I hope you were proud of it for a change.

We still have many empty shops and areas that have looked better, but improvements are on view — like the upgraded shops emerging on Newport Street — that are already upgrading this central offering.

The Festival itself was bigger and better than ever with more facilities for all ages, bringing thousands of people and pounds into the town. I’ve no doubt The Market Place received many new visitors, especially to the revamped Vaults, and the stalls and events seemed spread around a greater central area than ever before.

This yearly shindig is a great showcase for Bolton and its charms.

Let’s hope visitors weren’t disappointed, and those who live here were glad they came.