WITH reference to the story "Markets Makeover", The Bolton News, October 2.

On reading this article about the revamp of Ashburner Street Market, I noticed that the council believes a revamp will bring much-needed shoppers and visitors back to the town centre.

Am I living in another world? Do councillors live in this town?

Do they not realise why nobody wants to shop in Bolton?

You dare not come to Bolton for fear of racking up parking fines due to over-zealous parking wardens.

This is the real reason nobody wants to shop in Bolton town centre.

Everybody knows but the council, which seems to know better.

The last council introduced the fortnightly bin collections, and then amazingly thought it would stay in office.

I have been in Bolton town centre six times shopping in the last three years.

When I went shopping recently, I went to Middlebrook. I returned to my car when I was ready with no fear of getting a ticket.

I have also been to Bury and Leigh, where parking charges are cheaper and appear to be more relaxed.

I have lived in Bolton for 53 years. It has become like a big brother state.

Wait until the no smoking in the street ban appears. Will we have people following us around the town?

Mr R Cook, Centre Park Road, Bolton