ANGRY traders have appealed to flagship store Marks and Spencer to reverse its decision to stay shut this Sunday. Bolton Traders' Committee pleaded for an 11th hour re-think from the store as the town prepares to launch its countdown to Christmas this weekend by opening on Sundays. But Marks and Spencer's Deansgate store will not open until Sunday, November 10.

At yesterday's meeting disappointed traders claimed Marks and Spencer let them down at the last minute.

They claimed Bolton's M&S was being kept shut by regional bosses because of this weekend's grand re-opening in Manchester.

One retailer said: "We are very upset. Our impression is that the decision has been taken to make sure none of the limelight is taken away from Manchester.

"We have built up our Sunday opening programme around Marks and Spencer being open and planned to link in with them. Until a fortnight ago we had no idea they might not open."

Town centre manager Maria Appleton said: "I tell them that the traders feel very let down by this."

TV adverts - including one during the break of News At Ten tonight - will promote Sunday shopping in Bolton. The 20 second ad includes a shot of M&S.

The traders requested that if Bolton M & S does not open on Sunday it puts up clear signs explaining why and stressing it is open from November 10.

Bolton M&S manager Brian Lunn said: "No-one is more disappointed than us but it is due to circumstances beyond our control.

"We had aimed to officially re-open our new one site store on October 29. But work has taken longer than expected and now it will be on November 5."

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