Looking out from the centre WELCOME to the first of my weekly columns, which will bring you news and views from the Town Centre Partnership about issues that affect your town. The Town Centre Partnership is about to go through something of a metamorphosis as the new Town Centre Company Limited will be launched on the October 11. The loss of European funding combined with the annual appointment of the Chairman and newly appointed Town Centre Manager forced a review of the existing partnership structure. This review culminated in the development of the new company. This process would not have been possible without the considerable support of Bolton Metro and the existing partners. The new company will bring together the interests of all types of businesses in the town centre working towards the common goal of improving the vitality and viability of the town.

The company has developed a joint membership scheme with the Chamber of Commerce believed to be the first such scheme in the country, and will be offering comprehensive benefits to members. Not only will the company be offering an excellent return on investment for its members but it will also be judged and held accountable on its performance as a proportion of the membership fee will be performance related. Watch this space for more news over the coming weeks!

Bolton's caf society, the mechanism for the introduction of licences which will allow businesses to place tables and chairs outside their premises is currently being finalised and the new company will act as agent to the Council to simplify the process for applications. Certainly by next summer you can expect to see more and more people eating al fresco in the town centre.

The development of a lively and prosperous evening economy is at the heart of the company's plans and wide ranging benefits which include targeted marketing and improved security for town centre pubs and clubs will help to realise this aim. Similar benefits are available to all other business sectors ensuring that all our customers' needs are met in one destination - the town centre.

There has been much said recently about the refurbishment of Victoria Square and the new look is a vast improvement and an asset to the town. I recently hosted a number of visitors their reaction at the sight of Victoria Square was tinged with envy. Sometimes it is better to look at our town centre through the eyes of a visitor and not only see things as they are but also see the potential. The company has numerous plans to animate the town centre and utilise the wonderful open spaces that exist. Are there particular events you would like to see in the town centre? Write in and let me know.

In 1998 Bolton was invited by the North West Tourist Board to participate in a pilot national Destination Benchmarking initiative,. Fourteen destinations in England were involved and visitor satisfaction with a range of services and attractions were assessed. Other destinations involved included Blackpool, Chester, Liverpool, Manchester, Southport, Darlington, Leeds, Oxford, Portsmouth, Redcar, Salisbury, Scarborough and Winchester.

Bolton was the top scoring participant in terms of destinations which would be recommended. Ninety-eight per cent of respondents said that they would return to Bolton.

We achieved the highest score of all destinations for ease of parking; the highest in the large towns' category for the range, quality and value for money of places to eat and drink; the highest score in the large towns' and North West category for the range, quality and service of shops together with road and pedestrian signs.

Part of the new company's role is to address problems in the town centre and put things right but also to shout about the good things. A recent feature on Bolton stated that the town centre didn't shout loudly enough about all that it had to offer. The time has come for businesses in Bolton town centre to pull together and let everybody know that the town centre experience is one of the finest of its kind in the North West.

Karen Wheeldon

Bolton Town Centre Manager

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.