SHOPPERS have overwhelmingly rejected plans by the council to move Bolton's Ashburner Street Market to a different site.

A Bolton Evening News survey revealed a unanimous thumbs down to the council's idea.

The future of the historic market has been in doubt since Sainsbury's moved its neighbouring store in Moor Lane to Trinity Street.

Plans to move the bus station to create a new transport interchange on Newport Street are also being considered by the council, and if this happened, they would also look at the location of the market.

Town hall bosses are considering moving the market to a new home to fit in with plans for a cultural quarter.

Ashburner Street Market, which was created in 1932, underwent a £5 million facelift eight years ago.

A team from Bolton Council will be speaking to shoppers this week to find out if they want the market moved or redeveloped.

As part of a two-week consultation, about 500 customers are being asked for their views and opinions about the future of the indoor and outdoor market.

The consultation is part of a review of all four of the borough's markets to develop a strategy for the future.

But many shoppers are clearly against the market being moved, and particularly like its location to the bus station.

Christine Pilkington, aged 49, from Deane, said: "Moving the market is a terrible idea, because it's so handy where it is now. Everything's changing in Bolton, but I want it to stay as it is."

Her daughter Joanne Pilkington, aged 19, said: "People have got used to the market being here, and I can't think of a better place for it to be moved to."

Samir Surve, aged 24, from Bolton, said: "I live nearby and it's easy for me to come here and buy my food. It wouldn't be as easy if they moved the market, and so I think it should stay."

Kathleen Clutton, aged 42, from Leigh, said: "We like the market here. It's at just the right place, next to the bus station, and it would definitely be a bad idea to move it."

Sadish Nammi, aged 27, from Bolton, said: "Everyone likes the market being here because it's easy to get to. I don't think they should move it."

Usha Patel, aged 34, from Great Lever, said: "The market is convenient where it is. They will lose lots of customers if they move."

Sarah Fenney, aged 76, from Heaton, said: "I don't think they should move the market, because it's fine here. It's also an established part of the town centre, and people know where it is. An important part of the town would be lost."

Her husband, Arthur Fenney, aged 81, said: "I'm against the market being moved because it will change the spirit of Bolton. Too much is being changed, and the town is going to be ruined."

Iain Williams, aged 18, from Halliwell, said: "I can't think of one good reason why they would want to move the market. There's nothing wrong with it where it is."

Jean Shearburn, aged 78, from Leigh, said: "It would be wrong to move the market, because it's in such a good place now. People can get a bus into Bolton and come straight to the market. The town would go downhill if they moved it."