VERY sorry to see yet another well known business close down.

I do not believe that the drop in footfall at the market has anything to do with the trains.

Lots of people I know have stopped going to Bolton for a number of reasons mostly to do with how the town planners have got it so wrong for a number of years.

First of all they disregarded public opinion when they closed the Victorian Market Hall which was unique to Bolton. The new shopping centre replaced it and was occupied by shops that could be found in any town centre. Further millions have been spent updating it.

Ashburner Street Market has suffered with the re-location of the bus station which was more convenient for people with heavy shopping i.e. fruit and vegetables etc.

All the approach roads into Bolton are a disgrace as they are run down with boarded up shops i.e. Bradshawgate, Derby Street etc.

Visitors must be put off before they reach the shopping area. There is absolutely nothing to attract people to shop in Bolton anymore which is very sad because it was once a great town to visit. When the public have developed new shopping habits it is difficult to win them back.

I now go to Bury or Leigh where the Planners seem to have got it right. In Bury the bus station and Metro are close to the Market, the older shopping mall and the new development on The Rock.

The town is vibrant and the approach roads are not like slum areas. The same can be said of Leigh. It is time the town planners took a long hard look at how the town is perceived by many people who once shopped there.