LIKE many others I am saddened to hear of the closure of Prestons of Bolton.

A few days ago I walked past the store approaching from the Deansgate side of town towards Churchgate. The Elephant and Castle had several tables and chairs outside on the pavement as well as a wind breaker that took up most of the pavement and I found myself having to weave my way through the tables full of men smoking and drinking just to get to the store.

Only four months ago, Prestons had objected for plans from the Elephant and Castle to introduce outdoor seating. The Bolton News reported Prestons as saying, "This would be a noisy, smoky and unwelcome neighbour to our display window which showcases fine jewellery and Rolex watches. It would not encourage people to browse and would further clutter an area already littered with A boards promoting discounted alcohol."

Bolton councillors supported the application with Nick Peel even saying that this type of proposal adds "vibrancy to the street scene".

There seems to be a knee jerk tendency to blame our Council for all of the town centre's ills but on this occasion they appear to have played a hand in Prestons closing it's doors.

M Kozlowski

Bolton