WITH reference to the letter from S Dunn, (Bolton Evening News, January 10) I feel the thoughts of S Dunn 'Bring back town centre cinema' concerning the boarded up Odeon really hit a very serious nail on the head.

I believe the moving of the cinemas to out of town sites (and non replacement of public recreational facilities) has effectively turned town centres nationwide into drinking dens, by default, ie: nothing else to do.

People like to congregate in the town centre and come in on Friday night at least to... erm....drink! - and eat maybe.

Cinemas in the town centre as in the the old days, would bring trade into town seven nights a week, not just three as at present, and also bring a wider age group back into town - the rock and roll generation have money to spend too!

The restored Odeon with restaurant and stage facilities could be a goldmine indeed, perfectly situated near the bus station and the train station and market (for passing daytime trade).

The building of town centre apartments is all very well but Bolton is not Rome or New York, in fact it can look closed' three nights a week "exciting city centre living?"

Apartments to replace the old ABC cinema -well I can't wait can you?

Jimi Hendrix played the Bolton Odeon . . . how things have progressed. I think not!

P Williams

Slimbridge Close

Bolton