IT would be a shame if the former Odeon was left unused. The building is ideal to be used as a live music venue together with other arts or cultural uses.

Hopefully, some enterprising developer will notice Bolton's lack of a live music venue and also the site's proximity to the bus and train stations, the Octagon, the proposed Le Mans Crescent cultural quarter and the new University.

Bolton town centre already has a number of vacant properties including the Swan Hotel, Baileys on Bridge Street, Corks on Bradshawgate and the amusement arcade on Corporation Street. These empty properties add nothing to the appearance or vibrancy of our town and are a symptom of breweries and leisure companies all chasing the same market while neglecting potential customers outside of the mainstream.

There is a market for live music in our town and this can only increase as the University begins to attract more students.

Bury has The Met, Wigan has The Tavern and Maximes, Ashton has the Witchwood. Bolton needs a decent, live music venue.

Martin Mansell

Secretary, Bolton Music Collective

Abbotsford Road

Bolton