CONGRATULATIONS to the Bolton Evening News for being a newspaper for the community and printing issues which concern people.

Many letters have been written about the proposals for the Market Hall and I must add mine to them and say I was appalled when looking at the plans.

When the Market Hall was given a new look in 1987/8, I was involved with the then developer. The idea was to make the redevelopment blend in with the surrounding buildings and to make the interior of the Market Hall lighter and more modern while retaining and expanding its Victorian heritage.

On my frequent visits to the Market Hall, I find it to be a lively shopping centre. People enjoy markets and the atmosphere they generate and market traders are the key players. What kind of market will we have if many of the businesses are forced out?

Looking around the town centre, I notice many shop units for sale or to let and would very much like to see more regeneration. Can this not be done without spoiling a part of town that is relatively successful?

Fears have already been expressed that Bolton could become another uniform town centre. This new development is one way of helping that along.

John MacGregor

Regent Road

Bolton