TRADERS at Farnworth shopping precinct have welcomed a proposed revamp aimed at bringing the centre into the 21st century.

Owners Oceana Properties Ltd want to turn the "dated" precinct, off Brackley Street, into a modern shopping mall to attract more customers and businesses.

And two major retailers are believed to have already expressed an interest in opening stores as part of the make-over.

Plans submitted to Bolton Council will, if approved, result in a redesigned front entrance with a glass roof covering the section currently open to the elements.

Inside, some kiosks and retail units will be moved to make way for a bigger stall near the entrance to the store.

Precinct manager, Les Rylence, said he hoped the work would make the new centre more attractive.

He added: "A glass roof will be more modern looking and allow a lot more natural light into the precinct.

"At present the precinct is dated. There are certain areas suffering and we are looking at getting more vibrant tenants which will be to the benefit of the existing traders."

He added: "If the centre is more attractive it will be easier to attract new tenants.

"We have only obtained the precinct in February and the time has come to regenerate it and make it more attractive.

"We hope to attract a major retailer into the new precinct and interest has already been expressed."

Michael Epifaniou who runs Birch Cafe in the precinct, said traders had suffered from falling profits and hoped the scheme would improve the situation.

He added: "Once it is finished it will be a definite improvement -- but the general view among traders is that it couldn't get much worse.

"However, we still need better bus services and toilets. You can't have a new shopping centre without toilets nearby -- that would be ridiculous."

Jack Morris, chairman of the Farnworth Town Centre Improvement Committee, said he had been promised that temporary toilets would be installed, but none had yet appeared.

But he added: "Anything that improves the precinct is to be welcomed."

Bolton Council planning officer Simon Davies said the application "appeared to be in the public interest".

He added no objections had yet been received and the final decision would rest with the planning director Ray Jefferson. TRADERS at Farnworth shopping precinct have welcomed a proposed revamp aimed at bringing the centre into the 21st century.

Owners Oceana Properties Ltd want to turn the "dated" precinct, off Brackley Street, into a modern shopping mall to attract more customers and businesses.

And two major retailers are believed to have already expressed an interest in opening stores as part of the make-over.

Plans submitted to Bolton Council will, if approved, result in a redesigned front entrance with a glass roof covering the section currently open to the elements.

Inside, some kiosks and retail units will be moved to make way for a bigger stall near the entrance to the precinct.

Precinct manager, Les Rylence, said he hoped the work would make the new centre more attractive.

He added: "A glass roof will be more modern looking and allow a lot more natural light into the precinct.

"At present the precinct is dated. There are certain areas suffering and we are looking at getting more vibrant tenants which will be to the benefit of the existing traders."

He added: "If the centre is more attractive it will be easier to attract new tenants.

"We only obtained the precinct in February and the time has come to regenerate it and make it more attractive.

"We hope to attract a major retailer into the new precinct and interest has already been expressed."

Michael Epifaniou who runs Birch Cafe in the precinct, said traders had suffered from falling profits and hoped the scheme would improve the situation.

He added: "Once it is finished it will be a definite improvement -- but the general view among traders is that it couldn't get much worse.

"However, we still need better bus services and toilets. You can't have a new shopping centre without toilets nearby -- that would be ridiculous."

Jack Morris, chairman of the Farnworth Town Centre Improvement Committee, said he had been promised that temporary toilets would be installed, but none had yet appeared.

But he added: "Anything that improves the precinct is to be welcomed."

Bolton Council planning officer Simon Davies said the application "appeared to be in the public interest".

He added no objections had yet been received and the final decision would rest with the planning director Ray Jefferson.