SKY high rents are turning parts of Bolton into a"retail graveyard", it is claimed.

Expensive leases combined with a drop in profits are sending many of the town's firms to the wall.

Popular town centre restaurant Brasserie Le Mans, on Bradshawgate, Bolton, has closed, despite opening to a big fanfare just two years ago.

And, nearby Exquisite Brides has also shut, after its owner declined to renew the shop's lease.

The two closures -- the premises of which are now empty -- mean four businesses around the Churchgate-Deansgate-Bradshawgate junction have shut in just six months.

They include Whiteheads and hairdressers Ralph Kleeli. But the Kall Kwik printing shop in Churchgate also remains shut and a store next to the Le Mans restaurant is boarded up and littered with fly posters.

Another retailer currently packing its bags and sticking up "Closing Down Sale" signs is Mono Ladieswear in Deansgate, the owners of which have also decided not to renew its Bolton lease.

Samantha Shah, the shop's 29-year-old manageress, said the retail rent was too high.

She added: "Business is not the same as it used to be and Saturdays are quite dead.

"I would say Bolton is becoming a retail graveyard. It's just far too expensive to have a business here."

Down the road at the Le Mans French restaurant, a note reads: "Due to unforeseen circumstances the restaurant will be closed today."

A similar one on the bridal shop says: "Business closed due to termination of lease." Letting agency Jenny Rubin & Co has placed a "To Let" sign on the restaurant building.

A spokesman for Rubin said: "It is definitely up for a new lease and we have had quite a bit of interest in the property. It's in a good location."

The spokesman refused, however, to say why Brasserie Le Mans had closed. The lease costs £44,750 a year.

Orders for the bridal shop will still be honoured. Customers will be sent letters detailing an address from which to collect their goods.

Andrew Duckworth, managing director of Prestons of Bolton, on Deansgate, however, said his firm will not be moving despite the closures around him.

He said: "We are renovating our store at the moment and we will be remaining in the town. Business has dropped slightly, I have to admit, but I think a lot of that has to do with high parking charges."

He added: "I can park at our Guildford store in the south for a lot less than here."

Brasserie Le Mans opened in April 1999 after taking over from Pierre Victorie. It was refurbished but the staff remained the same.

At the time, manager Paul Wood said the restaurant would offer "the same excellent, fresh food and warm welcome."

A BEN eating out reporter gave it top marks in a glowing review.

Town centre manager Karen Wheeldon said: "It's always sad when businesses leave Bolton but we have also seen a lot of interest from new companies wanting to come into the town.

"Visitor numbers are increasing and the town centre is still vibrant. All we can do is try to attract more businesses into Bolton and the signs so far have been encouraging."