plan by traders BUSINESSES in Leigh are fighting to establish the town centre as a major shopping area.

The first meeting of a new Traders' Forum is being held at 6pm on Thursday night in the Mick Martyn bar at Leigh Rugby Club.

It follows a questionnaire circulated by the Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Coalfield Challenge.

There were 112 replies from town centre businesses.

Concerns raised included parking, out of town retail development, access, pedestrianisation and retail mix.

There is a feeling that there needs to be more private and public investment together with regular promotion of the town.

The forum is seen as the first step towards revitalising Leigh.

It will be chaired By Eddie Grindrod and his wife Alex, the owners of the 20-unit Bradshawgate Shopping Centre.

Mr Grindrod, who lives in Bolton and was a well-known club owner in the town for many years, said today that they had recently invested £500,000 in a re-vamp of the £1.5 million Centre.

"We believe that Leigh is moving into the next century and becoming a more sophisticated town," he said.

"Leigh has a lot of catching up to do and we need to start believing in ourselves."

The meeting will attract retailers, banks and other organisations with an interest in the town centre.

A full summary of the results of the survey will be available.

The meeting is likely to elect a steering committee and focus groups.

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