CONCERNING the application for planning permission for an Argos store on the Middlebrook Retail Park.

Councillor Mrs Ronson objects on the grounds that the sale of jewellery, books and fashion accessories would affect trade in Horwich. Horwich does not, to my knowledge, have a jeweller's shop and only a second-hand book shop.

As I understand, four years ago when the Middlebrook opened, only sports clothes were to be sold, but NEXT have been allowed to open a large shop on the site, while retaining their shop in Bolton town centre. Why are Argos being treated differently?

A shop like Argos needs good, free parking facilities -- not like their shop in Bolton where one needs to pay to go on Bow Street car park, or risk a hefty fine while loading up outside their shop.

Mrs P M Farr

Austins Lane

Lostock, Bolton