By JULIE FREER A MAJOR conference will be held next month aimed at taking Bolton town centre into the 21st century.

The idea is to keep Bolton in its position as one of the top shopping centres in the region.

Called "Centre Forward", the forum will be held in the town hall on October16.

It will examine how Bolton will compete with the new Trafford Centre shopping city which is due to open at Dumplington in time for Christmas 1998.

Representatives from the public and private sector will be invited to the event.

It is part of the Bolton Council's "Framework for the Future - Bolton 2006", an initiative which will bring the private and public sectors together to boost the town and create jobs.

Cllr Bob Howarth, council leader, said: "We have invited everyone we think can make a contribution to the plan for the future.

"Bolton town centre has performed exceptionally well over the years and a major independent report said the centre was in a strong position.

"I think we can take some credit for that, but we must now capitalise on that foundation and drive forward for the future."

Arnold Wilcox-Wood, regional manager of Crompton Place shopping centre and chairman of the Bolton town centre management group, said the town was at a crossroads.

He said: "Do we sit on our past achievements and hope everything will turn out all right or do we take bold, positive steps to move forward, capitalising on our past success?

"What I do know is that no individual sector can succeed on its own.

"It is now Bolton plc and all parties have to be involved if we are to be in the premier league of UK destinations for the new millennium."

Anyone who would like further details should contact the Town Centre Management Office, Economic and Physical Development Unit, at Bolton Town Hall, tel 543131.

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