BOLTON's booming leisure developments are all aimed at family enjoyment. So police opposition to a £5.5 million Continental-style bar development in Nelson Square seems odd, especially as the developers say it would cater for shoppers, families and an older age group.

Whatever the reasons for the police objections, any plan that transforms a derelict site and creates hundreds of new jobs is worthy of consideration.

If such a development creates the need for more police officers to be on duty during the popular Friday and Saturday evening 'pub crawl' the new licencees should be obliged to make a contribution to hard-pressed police funds.

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