IT'S EXCELLENT news that developers are ready, willing and eager to become partners in the proposed revamp of Bolton's Victoria Hall.

As our story today reveals, up to 18 property developers are interested in the "retail and religion" complex.

This is a shot in the arm for the town centre and is particularly timely, coming as it does shortly after the announcement that Whiteheads is to close.

We agree with council chiefs and Bolton Methodist Mission representatives that the planned £100 million Victoria Gardens project will create fresh trade for the town centre.

The principle that the more there is on offer, the more shoppers will want to come here, definitely applies.

It is important that Bolton is shopper-friendly. Already the town is known as a place where visitors are made welcome.

We can build on that and show shoppers that Bolton is more than an impersonal shopping complex, but a warm and welcoming town which has more than shops on offer.