Well the final nail of Bolton’s town centre is hammered into its coffin as Marks and Spencer announces the closure of its iconic store on Deansgate.

M & S have had a presence in Bolton since 1892 when it opened a Penny Bazaar in the Market Hall. Its exit now after 130 years is yet another and final tragic event in the history of our beloved town.

In days past Bolton town centre was a shopping destination for communities as far flung as the Lake District with its headline independent stores such as Whittakers Whiteheads and Prestons, but alas no more.

Today the main arteries of Deansgate Bradshawgate and Newport Street are 95% boarded up. Even the revamped Market Place has only 50 per cent occupancy yet still it costs £1.10 per 30 minutes to park on the streets. Despite this there is a widely promoted redevelopment of Bank Street and Bolton’s Wharfside that has seen no progress for way over the past two years.

Can you imagine what global attendees of the 2031 Ryder Cup planned for the Hulton Estate project would think if they wanted to visit Bolton’s “downtown”?

Our town council and planners should hold their heads in shame. Exhorbitant business rates and rents have strangled the town to death. It seems they are happy to turn the entire town centre into a souless student suburb.

Tony Hutchinson