THE proposed closure of up to 50 Debenhams stores has provoked widespread debate on the state of Britain’s high streets.

This is what some of our readers had to say.

No deal is the best deal: “Should have listened to those 100,000 people, petitioners and shoppers who have gone and never to return. Confidence doesn’t make for people spending cash.Labour have consistently made bad decisions when it comes to rejuvenating the town.”

Breightmet kid: “If Debenhams closes it would be a wonderful opportunity to bring back the Market Hall and reinstate the heart of Bolton.

“The decision to evict the market traders was the death of Bolton as a shopping town.

“For proof just look around at how it is now, and those traders in the Market Place are selling expensive tat.”

Boltoner1: “Get Primark in there instead and it would give a massive boost to the Market Place.

“Much more than the effect of having Debenhams in there. You might not like the shop, but it makes economic sense.”

Blackrodbill : “We should all get together and actually SHOP in Bolton, not Middlebrook or online. I was going to buy a book from Amazon but on checking the prices I decided to buy in Bolton (Waterstones).

“Same price, same book and I can have a coffee.

“Let’s stick together and make the town centre work.

“We all need to help make Bolton great again.”