I DON'T know about the rest of you, but I think we are well and truly "rained out" at the moment.

I find myself dreaming about spring and summer.

Hopefully, we will be fortunate enough to have a good summer this year. It would certainly be helpful during the Commonwealth Games and Jubilee celebrations! However, there are a few things to bring some sunshine into our lives in the next week or so. I have heard snatches of conversation from people planning their Valentine surprises.

Don't forget the town centre has everything you need to spoil your loved one and even if it is still raining there is plenty of cover, the ideal opportunity to take a breather from your perfect present search and grab a coffee while you dry off!

Thinking out of the box!

This week I have been attending the British Council of Shopping Centres conference in Manchester "Trading Places" and, as is often the case, at these events there is generally at least one speaker who is not only entertaining but also provides an insight into their experiences that can be drawn upon for future reference. In this case the speaker in question was a well-known Frenchman Pierre Yves (PY) Gerbeau, Chief Executive of Xscape; probably best know for his involvement with the Dome and Disney.

The basis of PYs presentation was turning a retail/leisure venue into a destination and delivering the brand promise. As we all know it is important not only to attract visitors to, in our case the town centre, but also to increase the length of their stay by providing something that is different and entertaining but also has synergy. It is what we try to do through our role as a town centre company. Although, unlike many destinations, we have a variety of business and property owners to work with rather than one company. However, by "thinking out of the box" as PY advocates, we can turn around this complication in to an advantage; the plethora of different ownerships also brings to the table a multitude of opportunities and new ideas and can in fact create a more "complete" destination catering for everybody's needs.

I, like many, will no doubt take a great deal away from PYs presentation not least the knowledge that in Bolton town centre we have a tremendous opportunity to draw together our diverse offer and provide a package that will ensure that the town centre is a not to be missed destination!

Have you joined the fight yet?

Following on from my thoughts about PY Gerbeau one of the things the town centre has that is worth fighting for is the Magistrates Court. Local justice is important to the whole Bolton population and is certainly high on the agenda of the Town Centre Company and the council.

At various places around the town centre you can now add your voice to this campaign by signing one of the petitions. There is one located in the Market Hall off Corporation Street. So come on don't just sit back and assume that others will win the day -- get signing!

Don't forget your ticket!

If you haven't, as yet, bought your ticket for the Giant Town Centre Draw, pop in to the Market Hall and pick one up. You could always kill two birds with one stone and sign the petition mentioned earlier at the same time.

The draw will be at the end of March in the Market Hall with Bolton's own comedy talent Peter Kay. There are hundreds of prizes up for grabs so make sure you don't miss out.

Karen Wheeldon

Bolton Town Centre Ltd

Market Hall

Knowsley Street

Bolton BL1 2AR

Tel: 01204 523762

Fax: 01204 523659

e-mail -- Karen@boltontowncentre.co.uk