SOME years ago, concern was expressed at the potential impact on town centre - Bolton and Horwich - shopping, by the Middlebrook retail park.

This concern was referred to a consultancy by Bolton Planning Committee with the result: Concerns unfounded, carry on Middlebrook.

Over the intervening years, much predicted impact has displayed itself, which they now acknowledge, and by handing over the Market Hall to developers, seek to remedy.

Will this in turn be referred to a consultancy to consider the impact on town peripheral shopping?

The tear-jerking letter from Cllr Stuart A Lever (Bolton Evening News, March 12), seeks to justify handing over the Market Hall- "as a councillor... best of ability.... difficult and unpopular decisions... slipping down shopping league tables... (consultants said it wouldn't happen), bite the bullet and stop the rot... Market Hall requires substantial repairs to the roof... (if such be the case then the refurbishment carried out only a few years ago lacked either quality control or estate/corporate management)... I am sure that I will see lots of letters in the press saying what a good job we did on that day."

Does this include sticking a replica Mississippi paddle steamer on the corner of the Market Hall?

T T Riley

Dixon Street

Westhoughton