Metro Mayor Andy Burnham was in Farnworth this weekend where he heard a range of concerns from residents and shopkeepers, ranging from regeneration to shoplifting.

In a visit that took place at midday on Saturday, Mr Burnham spoke to people around the Market Street area and Farnworth precinct where he heard about their hopes for the town’s near future.

The Mayor for Greater Manchester told them he believed the combination of regeneration and a change in approach in dealing with shoplifters and other forms of anti-social behaviour would mean people would see real improvements soon.

Mr Burnham said: “I came to Farnworth in 2017 when I was standing to be Mayor and I remember speaking to the owner of a pet shop who said ‘look this place needs major regeneration.’

“So I’ve come back to see that work is beginning to happen here but I appreciate its difficult for people in the short term."

The Bolton News: Mr Burnham talked with several business people in FarnworthMr Burnham talked with several business people in Farnworth (Image: Newsquest)

Labour man Mr Burnham met with various business people, council candidates and charity leaders, including Believe Achieve youth club founder Tunde Olasupo.

He also met with Bolton Labour group leader Cllr Nick Peel and with various representatives including Cllr Nadeem Ayub and Cllr Hamid Kurram.

The Bolton News: Believe Achieve founder Tunde Olasupo talking to Andy BurnhamBelieve Achieve founder Tunde Olasupo talking to Andy Burnham (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Burnham said: “This town will be totally transformed and obviously the connectivity between Farnworth and the city and elsewhere is going to be improved.

“It’s going to be a great place to live, so while its difficult in the short term, in the long term its going to be really good for Farnworth.”

ALSO READ: Bulldozers set to demolish old precinct as £13 M transformation gets underway

ALSO READ: Cutbacks to multi-million masterplan for town centre as costs rise

ALSO READ: Call to help struggling businesses as regeneration project gets underway

Having heard from shopkeepers in particular about problems they experienced with shoplifters and other kinds of crime, Mr Burnham said he accepted that past policies had not been good enough but said he hoped business people would notice a change in approach.

The Bolton News: The Metro Mayor paid a visit to Believe Achieve on Market StreetThe Metro Mayor paid a visit to Believe Achieve on Market Street (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “In the past, a statement was made that shoplifting could not be a priority but the current Chief Constable changed that and rightly so in my view.

“And now shop lifters are being prosecuted in a way that was not being done in the past and again rightly so in my view.”