CAFE owners are ready to turn Bolton into a continental-style coffee haven.

The prospect of creating a thriving coffee culture akin to Manchester's trendy Deansgate appears to have received the thumbs-up by the majority of cafes in the town.

That news is sure to excite the council and the town centre management team currently whetting their appetites at having a cafe-laden metropolis to rival neighbours Manchester.

One of those in favour is Jane Coop who works at Red Bean in Newport Street which already has a series of tables and chairs outside its premises.

She said: "We do really well from it, especially when it's hot and what we've found is that it draws attention to the place.

"Many have commented that they didn't know we existed until they saw the furniture outside."

Newport Street and Victoria Square have been identified as the main areas for the scheme although the council wants the first pavement cafes placed along Churchgate.

The landlord of the Man And Scythe pub has put forward his interest over gaining a special licence.

And Paul Leach, manager of Red on the Square, is hoping Nelson Square will also become a major cafe-culture contender. He said: "We have been told that the road outside the cafe-bar will be pedestrianised and we are already planning to put crazy paving outside.

"It's something we've been keen to do for months."

Those comments have been welcomed by Alan McNaughton, chairman of the Bolton Town Centre Company Limited.

He said: "We would be delighted if cafe culture came to Bolton. It's a proposal we have looked to establish for some time and we feel it will consolidate efforts in the town centre to make it a more attractive place to shop, live in and visit.

"Victoria Square and Newport Street are the two main areas for consideration."

Not everyone is happy to go along with the proposals, though. Colin Smith, manager of Apollo, on Newport Street, said: "Safety is of prime concern for me. The pavements here are uneven and I would be reluctant to allow staff to go outside with drinks and risk an accident.

"The weather is another reason why I don't think we'll apply for a special license. Some cafes which do have outdoor facilities have suffered from trouble with drunks as well."

Cafe owners have to apply to the council for permission to have a street cafe facility.

Safety of pedestrians, food hygiene and quality of furniture will be assessed.

Lilian Longmire, acting-spokesman for the Bolton Licensees Alliance, said: "The scheme is great news as long as it is carried out safely.

"If you get tables and chairs on pavements what about people who are blind and what about situations where people are forced to walk in the road.

"These issues are obviously of importance but if carried out correctly it would benefit the town."