BOLTON Town Centre went under the microscope today as a major conference got underway. The focus is on shopping, leisure, employment and civic functions and those with a vested interest in the future of Bolton were attending. The Centre Forward conference, taking place at Bolton Town Hall, has been organised by Bolton Town Centre Partnership which is supported by the local authority.

Representatives from the public and private sectors will discuss what the town centre has to offer and what is needed to ensure it remains one of the region's premier shopping venues.

Bolton's Town Centre Manager, Maria Appleton explained: "The aim of the conference is to agree a shared vision for the future and to consider steps to take this vision forward."

She added that targets needed to be met such as making the town centre more accessible, friendly, fun, vibrant and thriving as well as more dynamic. These targets could be achieved with the Centre Forward Team - made up of the Town Centre Partnership, Bolton Council, developers, retailers, shoppers, leisure operators and community groups.

As part of the conference workshops will be held and guest speakers will highlight topics such as investment and what can be learned from other town centres at home and abroad.

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