The damage has now been done but I'd just like to state that the Market Hall was the one thing that made Bolton shine amongst many of the UK's other faceless, soulless modern towns.

Want chain stores? - go to the Trafford Centre and get free parking too!

Want character and the independent market place? - I guess you'll have to go to York, Leeds or Chester. Small traders with the personal touch are integrated with big business there, not bulldozed aside.

Our town never seems to play to its strengths as a place of heritage and history like those mentioned above. Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution but do we use the humble independent trader as a tourist draw?

No, we force them out of business in favour of mass retail instead - how sad!

In a town of empty shops the last thing that Bolton required was another mall full of national retailers.

I'll certainly be sure to spend precisely none of my money there.

In my eyes it's another nail in the coffin of Bolton as an interesting and varied place to shop.

Steve Massey, Bromley Cross, Bolton