FURTHER to the Market Hall discussion, Agora have got some of their facts wrong.

The main one being that the Market Hall is NOT "part of the Market Place", it's completely different. The Market Hall existed long before the newer Market Place was built in a style to match the Market Hall, mainly on the outside.

The Market Hall is basically a large room, with shops around the outside and many stalls inside (not as many as there should be, but that's progress for you).

The Market Place is a shopping mall - a long, wide corridor containing large shops on both sides, like an indoor shopping street. It is usually far too hot in there, but keeps the rain off.

These are two complementary shopping facilities, and this is the way we Boltonians want them to stay.

One further point - some writers seem to confuse the Market Hall with the Open Market on Ashburner Street. This is an entirely different place, and is in more need of renovation than either of the other two, but is popular with people who regularly travel in from other towns on coaches.

C A Wilson

Milford Road

Great Lever

Bolton