FEWER bars, less draconian parking regulations, more family entertainment and more road signs would help Bolton town centre retain its distinctive style while making it an attractive place to live and work.

Those were some of the suggestions put forward by business leaders on Tuesday night at a meeting held to collect the views of Bolton's business and professional community on the future direction of the town centre's economy.

The event was part of the Bolton Distinctiveness Study, a public consultation that will help create new planning guidelines for the future of Bolton town centre.

More than 20 representatives from manufacturing, marketing, banking, law, media and the University of Bolton took part in a focus group consultation exercise at the Bolton Business Investment Centre on Bridgeman Place.

Other ideas put forward included the development of a family entertainment corridor stretching from Queen's Park into the town centre with restaurants, family and children's facilities and more live arts and music venues.

Mark Allanson, director of enterprise at the University of Bolton, told the meeting: "Bolton is a town of contrasts. I think there is room in the town centre for more big name brands alongside the smaller retailers, but you have to tempt them in."

But Peter Hardcastle, a Market Hall trader, said parking restrictions in the town centre were deterring businesses from moving into the town centre.

Other business leaders said Bolton is badly signposted, with visitors from the North often being misdirected by signs at Kearsley roundabout, and little or no signs in the centre itself.

Gill Hart, of Kippax Beaumont Lewis solicitors said: "People approaching Bolton who are unfamiliar have a hard time even finding their way in, and there is nothing in the centre to direct you to the University, the train station or car parks."