Pride of place is crucial to any town.

As a Bolton MP, I want our town to be the best place to start a business, whether that be a large corporate or a sole trader.

But without the support and incentive to do so, it becomes harder and harder to realise that vision and support our town’s growth and development.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Belle’s of Bolton, a gift shop based in Crompton Place and run by Michelle Slater.

She offers unique gifts and home accessories and over four years of trading has managed to build a loyal customer base. She’s just signed a new lease for a year and is a mainstay in our town centre.

The first point is that I hope readers take the opportunity to visit, perhaps buy a gift for their family, and see first-hand the hard work she puts into her business.

But my second, more political point, is that with declining footfall and a town centre in decline, her business faces significant challenges - challenges which push business viability to the edge.

In my opinion, it is for the council to champion our home-grown businesses, businesses which pay rent, rates, and contribute to our local economy.

They employ people and support in training. They help fund our local services.

But the fact is, there is little political will to make our town an attractive setting to launch a business and, fundamentally, succeed.

The council has so many powers at its disposal – relief on rents, rates holidays, incentive schemes for new businesses, yet we see nothing.

Where is the ambition for our town? Where is the pride of place we all should and want to have?

In May, we have a chance for change - a chance for ambition and to see real political will in our town under a Labour administration.

With all-out elections, you have three votes to use.

That’s three opportunities to send a message to the Conservative-led council that you want to see ambition and support for our hard-working business owners.