COUNCILLOR John Walsh’s letter regarding civic pride was of great interest and I support wholeheartedly his views on the major town centre proposals.

I was very proud to be a Boltonian and contributed with John to the saving of the magistrates’ courts over 10 years ago. I felt that Bolton was an industrious and busy town with much to offer.

However over the years the town council seems to play to the lowest common denominator. Sadly, we have lost so many individual shops over the years which we used to enjoy.

Lord Leverhulme gave so much towards raising the standard of architecture in Bolton but, as a benefactor, I wonder how he would be feeling if he knew about the proposed student block in Cheadle Square and the painting of buildings in Newport Street. Neither of which in my view offer anything constructive or uplifting to the town and is money ill-spent.

I realise bringing a town centre back to life is very difficult. An imaginative approach to attract members of the public to come into town and to enjoy the experience is needed.

Janet Taylor

Chairman of Bolton Magistrates’ Court -2002-2004