MY Saturday day out in Bolton.

I dropped my wife off at her usual hairdressers in Bridge Street. Not having been into the town centre for a while I decided to drive to the new bus station to have a look after reading about it. I was really quite impressed and generally, looking around, things looked pretty good.

I later returned to Bolton with my daughter to pick up my wife. It was a nice sunny day, so we parked up in the car park near the fire station. It's free at weekend so I was impressed. We walked through the market and the eldest grandchild was thrilled at all the stalls and smells and I noted what good value it was. The diversity of people races and dress was almost like a carnival.

We went into the Museum and Aquarium. The main museum was closed for refurbishment but we still enjoyed having a look around the temporary basement display.

We stopped off at Tiffany’s (what used to be the Wimpy Bar) and ordered food and drink while waiting for my wife. The food was wholesome and the service was very good for the price, we sat outside in part shade and sun, so it was ideal for us with the two children.

Just by the side of the café, in Cheapside, there were a few bins and there were some guys hanging around and moving between the bins and the Victorian stone building on the corner. I think this was the original library but now a betting shop. They were obviously doing drugs and looked downbeat and tainted the otherwise clean Victoria Square.

There was no sign of any police, or community officers to challenge them. There were also other homeless people; far more than I ever saw in days gone by.

We then walked along Market Street and I bought one of the grandchildren a cornet. As we walked away, I noticed an open ginnel at the side of the shop and saw some bins which looked like they had been disturbed. There was definitely food waste and was a real health hazard, and I thought to myself how awful for traders to allow their bins to get like this. I was so taken aback that I took a photograph of it.

The Market Place was busy, bright and bustling with performers were playing guitars on the centre stage and the shops and cafés seemed to be thriving. I went to explore The Vaults and again I was impressed, it was a bit like a mini Disney park.

The play area at just £1.50 entry fee, was excellent value.

On the way back to the car, we ended up in the fish/poultry market where we bought some fruit etc

All in all it was a most pleasant day out and I would encourage others to give it a try. Bolton is not perfect, but is trying hard to present itself in a better way. Just think in the last ten years, we have seen major development on Trinity Street, plus the new University buildings, the swimming pool and leisure centres. In addition to these we have a new Bolton One Medical Centre, a new bus station and rail link and we’re getting a revamped museum.

The thing we need to crack however is people’s attitudes and major social issues. I also think that Bolton Council should do more to ensure that owners of empty buildings maintain the structure and keep them clean and tidy.

One last thing; when you come to Bolton, remember there is a wealth of history here. As you walk along the streets, don’t look down but look up and see the the architecture that went into the buildings a long time ago.

John Turner

Bolton