A TOWN centre has been fiercely defended after it was “talked down” by residents.

The complaints about Market Street in Westhoughton came at a meeting of the Westhoughton and Chew Moor Area Forum on Thursday night.

Some residents questioned Bolton Council’s decisions to grant planning permission to Aldi last year.

One resident said: “Why have we made it easier for the supermarkets? At the time of the Aldi development it was well known that if the application was approved, they would not develop one of the town centre sites?”

There were also shouts from residents calling Westhoughton Market “rubbish” and saying that high street was not what it used to be.

But these claims were passionately rejected by ward councillors Anna-Marie Watters, forum chairman, and David Chadwick, who both represent Westhoughton South.

Cllr David Chadwick said: “It is not good to talk down the town centre. There are a lot of people who get unhappy when people talk it down.

“It is no help to the businesses. We should talk up the market and the town centre.

“When people criticise our town centre, they are damaging the town.”

Cllr Watters pointed out that there had been a number of shops that had opened up recently, including The Beer School.

She said: “I think Westhoughton’s high street is thriving now. It’s definitely going in the right direction.

“We have got some new shops selling a wide variety of items. There’s the beer school pub, the new bridal shop and we have a fair few hairdressers and barbers. The market is outstanding. A lot of people love it. “I just think it’s thriving. It’s got a lot of new businesses. There’s the beer school pub, the new bridal shop and we have a fair few hairdressers and barbers.

“But all the shops are used. If they were not being used then they would not be there. We are doing reasonably well if you look at other towns. We should be proud.”

n Have your say about Westhoughton High Street. Write to letters@theboltonnews.co.uk