HE may have only been in town for three months, but Debenhams store manager Rob Clarke has already dismissed misgivings people had about Bolton.

Before he arrived, people had told Mr Clarke that Bolton was a “dying town”.

But, the experienced manager, who hails from Stoke-on-Trent and has spent the last 14 years travelling the country with Debenhams, says nothing could be further from the truth.

He said: “I was told it was a dying town, but that really isn’t the case at all.

“Bolton has a fantastic retail offering and we are lucky that there is a council which is determined to improve that further still.

“It can be difficult getting footfall down to this end of the town, but it is something we are working on with the council and with the Market Place. Obviously, campaigns like ‘We’re Backing Bolton’ will help.”

Mr Clarke, who was store manager in Bangor, North Wales, before arriving in Bolton, admits that the opening on The Rock at Bury has been tough on trade.

But he says that after the initial “honeymoon” period, customers are starting to return to the Bolton store.

He said: “There is always a period when something is new and there is some novelty to it.

“The feedback we get is that this is one of the friendliest stores in the region and that counts more than a shiny new shop to a lot of people.

“We need to give them a good experience and, ever since I arrived, the staff and the customers have been extremely friendly.”

As reported in yesterday’s The Bolton News, 34 new businesses have opened in the town centre in the last 12 months and Mr Clarke believes the borough is a good place to start a new venture.

He said: “We have a good offering here, a large population and it is great to see the shopping centres, the big retailers and the council working together under the Central Bolton banner.

“With all that, I would say that Bolton should be one of the first choices for anyone wanting to start a new business.”

The Bolton News has teamed up with Bolton Council to launch the We’re Backing Bolton campaign.

The aim of the campaign, which has already been backed by a host of local businesses, is to get Bolton people to take a fresh look at what the borough has to offer and to “think local”

this Christmas.

Tell us what makes you proud to be from Bolton, or any positive stories about the town, by calling our newsdesk on 01204 537270.

Å Tomorrow: Find out how one Bolton couple are promoting the borough in India.