THIS week has been both hectic and informative following our business planning review held on Monday for Company members and other interested parties.

After outlining the work of the Company to date, we organised delegates into four groups to discuss a broad range of issues including marketing, security, maintenance, inward investment and membership.

Each group discussed each subject area and put forward their thoughts and ideas about future projects and priorities. All this information will be fed through into the development of the reviewed business plan for the Company, and clear targets will be set out for the coming years. The Town Centre Company has always been focused on delivery, and the updated business plan will be written with this in mind once again. Objectives will be highlighted for the short, medium and long term, that are both aspirational but achievable.

As previously mentioned in this column, we would welcome feedback from Bolton Evening News readers and Bolton residents about their ideas and aspirations for the town centre, to enable us to take account of all points of view prior to drawing up our future business plan. Anybody interested in putting pen to paper can write to the team at this office, postal and e-mail addresses are detailed at the foot of this column.

Bill and Ben to hit the town!

On Friday and Saturday, May 24 and 25, Victoria Square plays host to an exhibition to highlight the opportunities available for careers in childcare. As all working mums know, locating quality childcare is not always as simple as it may seem and, with more and more mums going out to work, the recruitment opportunities in this field are vast with many options available to those individuals who possess the right qualities.

During the event there will be 24 exhibition stands detailing everything you could possibly need to know about this challenging and rewarding career path. If you have a genuine interest in working with children and have bucket loads of enthusiasm, commitment and most certainly patience, this may be the opportunity you are looking for. Careers highlighted range from childminders, playgroup and nursery staff, to play workers in after school and holiday clubs.

If you already have a young one of your own, and wonder how you are going to be able to take in all this information and keep your youngster entertained, do not despair because on Saturday there will be some special guests dropping in, in addition to a Tower FM road show and appearances by Tommy Tower, the children's favourites Bill and Ben will be making special appearances throughout the day. There will also be an opportunity on Saturday to take part in a free to enter balloon race at 2pm with a chance to win a mountain bike!

All in all this exhibition promises to be both informative for adults and fun for children, a not to be missed event!

Congratulations to

the new Mayor of Bolton

Congratulations to Cllr John Walsh on his inauguration this week as the Mayor of Bolton. We would like to wish him a successful and enjoyable year in office.

Karen Wheeldon

Bolton Town Centre Limited

Market Hall

Knowsley Street

Bolton, BLI 2AR

Tel: 01204 523762

Fax: 01204 523659

Email:

Karen@boltontowncentre.co.uk

www.boltontowncentre.co.uk