Mark Dicker

Bolton’s new market place - what a joke!

I had to go into Bolton today and whilst there I thought i’d take a look at the newly opened market place.  I can tell you, i’m appalled that as a tax payer i’ve paid for what is essentially a white elephant.  There is nothing in the new shops that I can’t get at the Trafford Centre, where theres plenty of paring and I it’s free.  Today I spent 23 minutes in town and it cost me £1.20.

Bolton’s market hall was built in the victoria era most notable for it’s huge cast iron support columns.  Originally it was a typical market layout with row and rows of little stands where you could you get just about anything.  It was redeveloped once before and was a successful marriage of the old victorian market and our modern lifestyles.  Now all the victoriana is gone and the new scheme just doesn’t sit well in its old surroundings.

What is most annoying is that 60,000 people ( about 20% of Bolton’s population ) signed a petition to stop this going ahead.  The council took that to mean 80% were in favour when in fact it just means that 80% where not able to sign the petition or just don’t use Bolton anyway.  The upshot is the carbunkle we now have.  I wonder in 12 months will the designer shops renew their lease’s?  If not are we going to be left with the same situation as the Ellesmere centre in Walkden where shops are just left empty.  What a waste that will be.

I don’t want to be the soothsayer of doom but I think the new marketplace will struggle against the shopping centres in the town surrounding Bolton.  Especially come the busy holiday shopping season.