TOWN centre retailers are demanding cheaper AND safer car parking to help them fight the giant out of town shopping centre at Dumplington.

Shop bosses believe the cost of parking is not the only factor stopping shoppers coming to Bolton town centre.

They argue that customers are turned off by difficult-to-find car parks with low standards of security and cleanliness.

The council recently launched a debate over Bolton's car parking policy and town centre retailers have been quick to respond. They say concerns about car parking are always top of the list whenever they ask customers or shopkeepers to comment on town centre facilities.

Now Crompton Place manager Arnold Wilcox Wood and the Bolton and Bury Chamber of Commerce have put forward proposals to help fight the threat from the mega shopping complex, due to open at Dumplington in September 1998. Suggestions include:

Cheaper short stay parking;

Clearer signposting of car parks and easier access to the town;

Better standards of cleanliness, lighting and security in car parks;

The creation of more spaces;

Free parking on Sundays;

Well thought out and planned park and ride schemes for busy periods such as Christmas. Brian Smith, chamber of commerce chief executive, welcomed the rethink on parking policies and called for planners to meet town centre shop managers.

"It is vital the retailers are involved at an early stage as their experience and knowledge of other town centres and out of town developments is crucial to our own plans for Bolton," he said.

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