WE have a retained shop in Central Street in Bolton town centre.

For over 12 months I have been asking the council for a loading bay outside of the shop.

Finally, it was laid in the early hours of Sunday morning (February 5). As usual, we arrived at 8.30am to load our morning deliveries without any problems. Just after our delivery van left, the owner of Cafe Bagel parked in the loading bay and went to unlock his shop and raise the shutters. This is necessary to gain access, before he could unload his van with his daily produce. In the meantime, a parking attendant from APCOA stood waiting for his loading time to be up and then promptly booked him.

Bolton town centre is dying on its feet. How can you expect small businesses to survive with draconian parking regulations? I know we need some control, but surely these attendants can work out the difference between illegal parkers and someone trying to make a living and provide a service to the people of Bolton?

Julian Holt (Director)

Major Savers Ltd.