IT is pleasing to see that two local businessmen — Simon Patel and Steven Farrington — are taking a punt on St Andrews Court in Bolton town centre.

The shopping arcade, which was previously owned by a London-based pension fund, has been in decline for several years.

Tenants have moved out and I suspect that lots of newer Boltonians are totally unaware of what should be a local retail gem.

We used to go to the café and we also enjoyed browsing in Alison’s bookshop.

These days there is little reason to visit.

At the moment only five out of 19 units are occupied and the new owners plan an intensive marketing campaign in an attempt to attract small businesses — some of them “quirky” no doubt.

Presumably they are shrewd enough to keep rents at an affordable level.

I wish them well — Bolton needs this kind of enterprise.