IT was good to see another successful Food Fair, even better than previous years.

Maybe the warm weather helped and needs to be ordered for next year.

The story in The Bolton News (August 31) refers to the Market Place revamp, in my opinion this is far more than a revamp. Major changes are clearly evident and the place seems far more vibrant than ever. Well done Moorgarth Group for such a transformation.

The quip at the end of the article by Stephen Young, Bolton’s Director of Place seems more quizzical than pivotal – the terms he uses to link the success of the town centre to that of the Market Place. The success of any vision for the town centre is dependant on many more issues. Current closure of BHS, Beales and ‘Bolton’s jewel in the crown’ – Prestons, do not bode well.

Large parts of Bolton centre are considered by many to be derelict.

Some time ago Bolton’s Council leader referred to a need to reduce the size of Bolton Centre but this has not happened. Perhaps it was budgetary controlled but the changes to Newport Street seem a little half hearted and maintain the size of the town centre. The design of a covered mall to really improve Newport Street produced by Tasos of the Olympus Fish and Chip restaurant was clearly not pursued — a missed opportunity.

Bolton’s Director of Place will clearly see that the Middlebrook retail park is in itself a town centre. A huge success and probably ‘second to none’, it is however a major detraction from Bolton Centre. It complements the Trafford Centre for many people who use the Trafford Centre and Middlebrook as their two alternative shopping venues.

It would be enlightening to learn from the Director of Place, of how his vision of the future of Bolton Centre will be achieved and like the phoenix how it will rise from the ashes. I hope that I can look forward to a prosperous and progressive Bolton centre.