Readers agree with MP: UK economy IS to blame for Bolton's downturn

9:10am Tuesday 1st January 2013 in News

Changing shopping habits and the UK economy are to blame for the problems facing Bolton town centre, a snap poll has suggested.

Following a debate sparked by David Crausby, MP for Bolton North East, The Bolton News asked online readers what factors they thought were hurting the town.

Mr Crausby had said it was due to the state of the economy and blamed the Coalition government’s policies, the rise of internet shopping and the prospect of a triple-dip recession.

Just under half of those who responded to the ballot at theboltonnews.co.uk agreed, believing the UK economy and changing shopping habits were the main reasons with 23 per cent and 26 per cent – 49 per cent overall - citing each of those factors.

A further 15 per cent blamed a lack of leisure, 18 per cent a lack of industry and 17 per cent said a stifling of debate on the issue meant it was not being addressed properly.

The story also encouraged much feedback from readers on both the website and The Bolton News’ Facebook page, with the majority agreeing that Bolton town centre was in need of attention.

Reader Peter Lanky said: “The council should also stop trying to blame other issues for the decline, and also trying to claim that there is not a problem.”

On Facebook, Chris Amos wrote: “Everyone is talking about the UK economy and the austerity measure that are impacting the town and others alike it. How can that be when places like neighbouring Bury, Chorley, Wigan, Manchester, and parts are Salford are actually thriving?”

Bolton Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris defended the town, but said spending power was down due to wage freezes and “high VAT”.

Conservative councillor Musadir Dean accused Labour yesterday of dismissing Tory ideas aimed at improving the town and said the ruling party was sending out “mixed messages”.

Comments(34)

Hulton Park says...
9:57am Tue 1 Jan 13

So - IN FACT, more people thought it was "changing shopping habits" than the UK economy.

As "changing shopping habits" will include "preferring to go somewhere less dilapidated", the poll's findings do not substantiate the claim that people think Bolton town centre's problems are mainly to do with the economy. Other places are not in anything like the same state, nor have they fallen from the same height that Bolton has.

A headline worthy of Alistair Campbell for spin there, BN!

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oftbewildered2 says...
10:00am Tue 1 Jan 13

yes - the economy is not helping matters, but at the end of the day, it is the Council which decides how its available money is spent; no different to every household in the land - some economise on leisure, some on heating, some on motoring, some on other things. Some do it better than others. Some Councils do it better than others.

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Bwfcpastie says...
12:06pm Tue 1 Jan 13

Good point . . No matter what end you approach Bolton from you're confronted with tatty shops and shabby takeaways why does the council continue approving them? Bolton is an embarrassment and I can't wait to sell up and get out as someone stated before its becoming a ghetto . .

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Rocket_Scientist says...
12:42pm Tue 1 Jan 13

Of course the ecconomy is hurting just how much credit and debt do we have to have before MP's and councillors alike realise the retail bubble has finally burst and we cannot afford food to feed our kids let alone to spend in shiny new shops.

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I Burrow says...
1:04pm Tue 1 Jan 13

Headline incorrect . Someone at BN not good with numbers !

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Andy Higham says...
1:15pm Tue 1 Jan 13

It is obvious from this article that the writer did not read the comments on the original article. The majority of comments laid the blame squarely on the council. The "snap poll" did not have this option.
Of course the BN will not criticise the council, the BN only exists to "big up" the council, the wanderers and Fabrice Muamba

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steveG says...
1:30pm Tue 1 Jan 13

The downturn in the UK economy started 3 years ago,the downturn in Bolton started well before then and the main cause is inept council leadership.

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Beyond News Forum says...
2:25pm Tue 1 Jan 13

Hulton Park wrote:
So - IN FACT, more people thought it was "changing shopping habits" than the UK economy.

As "changing shopping habits" will include "preferring to go somewhere less dilapidated", the poll's findings do not substantiate the claim that people think Bolton town centre's problems are mainly to do with the economy. Other places are not in anything like the same state, nor have they fallen from the same height that Bolton has.

A headline worthy of Alistair Campbell for spin there, BN!
Absolutely well said... I hardly think a snap poll of a few hundred BEN online readers and council shills warrants the headline of this report.

From what I gathered in the words that had been typed in the comment is that the overall consensus is that Bolton is dodged by many shoppers because to put it simply Bolton is a hole... a sh*thole.

I move around a lot in my employment, I see the likes of Wigan, Chorley, Bury and even St. Helens kicking the proverbial **** of Bolton town center every day.

If the economy is to blame for the Bolton boom to bust story, then my eyes must be deceiving me when I see shoppers spending money in their droves in these outlying towns. I mean OMG how on earth did Wigan and Bury suddenly sprout such magnificent buildings and malls on the back of a sh*t economy?

Methinks there is some spin and BS being branded about by the council. And why the hell is the Bolton News supporting such BS? I thought the BN was a community newspaper not a council spin machine???

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Reality50 says...
2:37pm Tue 1 Jan 13

There are so many people in denial and the headline is further denial. Bolton started to fall apart from the mid 1990's onwards and the Labour government 1997-2010 and the Labour Council are hugely responsible for that. The economic downturn plays only a tiny part in Bolton Town Centre's struggles and to blame it on the downturn is a cop out. Bury,Manchester,Stoc
kport,Preston even Wigan are doing well. Bolton as a town centre is down amongst the dead men with Blackburn Burnley and Rochdale. Until we vote the Labour Council out then we as a town are doomed.We need younger people running the town not dinosaurs like Morris Thomas Harkin etc. All of them seem to have been in the towns corridors of power since the year dot and have stood on a platform of failure. The Tories would do little better. Our town's MP's are shockingly bad especially Yasmin Qureshi who seems more bothered about Palestine than Farnworth.People were warned before she was elected that she would be an appalling MP and we have been proved right.Without doubt the worst ever MP in our towns political history. Sadly the brainwashed masses keep voting Labour.When will you learn? In some towns UKIP are making strides but in Bolton the public still have this braindead "I vote Labour because my dad voted Labour" mentality. You reap what you sow. We need to get out of Greater Manchester too and market the town in a better way and away from this Greater Manchester "shackles" which harms our progress as all investment goes to Manchester not here.If the town was the market itself as "South Lancashire's Capital" it would provide a better image to outsiders than what we currently have which is of a "Satellite" town of Manchester. Bolton is failing and will carry on being a cesspit full of bookies,pound shops and takeaways while Labour locally rule the roost. Mass immigration also is ruining the towns image and the nickname of "Boltonistan" sadly is well deserved.If I could move out of Bolton and I am born and bred here I would. The "Bolton Family"? It is dysfunctional and broken.

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Tim Burr says...
2:48pm Tue 1 Jan 13

Chris Amos should come home and stand as an independent for the next council election. His passion for his own town is infectious and not politically influenced by any particular colour.

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Tim Burr says...
2:50pm Tue 1 Jan 13

And he'd be good at creating his own support.

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Mike23 says...
2:51pm Tue 1 Jan 13

Bolton Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris defended the town, but said spending power was down due to wage freezes and “high VAT”

I HAVE NEVER HEARD SO MUCH RUBBISH.

I AM SORRY MR MORRIS, IT JUST GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE EVERY TIME YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH.

Across parts of europe VAT has been at 20% or more for the last ten years.

This man has no idea about economic stimulation, inelastic spending and how to promote growth.

Firstly, in times of downturn, people will still continue to buy inelastic goods, i.e foodstuffs, petrol etc....

But where from Mr Morris? Oh yes, those two very big buildings near Thynne Street/Orlando Bridge. Supermarkets.

Why is this an issue? Well, before, Bolton had a busy market and independent petrol stations. This meant that cash circulated within the local economy.

But, because Mr Morris and his fat neck cronies had the great idea of allowing two huge supermarkets to suck all the life out of Bolton, he has come to the incorrect conclusion that wage freezes and VAT are the reason for Bolton's decline.

Sorry Mr Morris, you are telling us fibs again, trying to wriggle out it.

Good value, good products, individuality, and good service. Any business which has these at its core, will do well.

But, when you allow to huge supermarkets to under cut everyone, well did Bolton really stand a chance?

No Confidence in Mr Morris

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Tim Burr says...
3:01pm Tue 1 Jan 13

See above.

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Phil from Smithills says...
3:54pm Tue 1 Jan 13

Reality50 says.......You reap what you sow. We need to get out of Greater Manchester too and market the town in a better way and away from this Greater Manchester "shackles" which harms our progress as all investment goes to Manchester not here.If the town was the market itself as "South Lancashire's Capital" it would provide a better image to outsiders than what we currently have which is of a "Satellite" town of Manchester. Bolton is failing and will carry on being a cesspit full of bookies,pound shops and takeaways while Labour locally rule the roost. Mass immigration also is ruining the towns image and the nickname of "Boltonistan" sadly is well deserved.If I could move out of Bolton and I am born and bred here I would. The "Bolton Family"? It is dysfunctional and broken...
.
I have been saying this for years ,being part of Gtr Man has done nothing for Bolton. Yes , Manchester is booming, and it would appear that our council are quite happy to be a "satellte" town, instead of a thriving and successfull town.

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Reality50 says...
4:21pm Tue 1 Jan 13

We get the thin end of the wedge with being in Greater Manchester. No investment,no Metrolink and higher bus fares than all other parts of Greater Manchester. FIRST recently reduced weekly and daily tickets all over GM except in Bolton. We are taken for mugs. We need our own bus companies and we need FIRST kicked into touch.Preston does well as the county town of Lancashire as it has forged its own identity and is now a city. Bolton now lacks identity and purpose. The person who suggested independent councillors makes a good point but you would need 10-12 of them to make a real difference in the council chamber. A local peoples party would be preferable such as recently been done in Hereford with "It's Our County" who won many council seats this year in Hereford and Herefordshire generally.

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berushka says...
5:32pm Tue 1 Jan 13

it just goes to show once again that the Bolton News makes a story from a misleading headline and skids around the real facts. We do not need any snap polls thank you very much, we know what and who is causing the decline of Bolton, but unfortunately those that dwelleth within the halls of Bolton Town Hall shop elsewhere!

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RetailSky says...
11:09pm Tue 1 Jan 13

It is true, what everyone is saying, i mean the town center is poor

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RetailSky says...
11:11pm Tue 1 Jan 13

Well It doesnt help with the councils sky rocket high rents and rates, as well as approving permission for Tescos everywhere! People dont like shabby shops they just want a ice place to go. Come on what is this mess. I agree with everyone else that the downturn isnt the problem, its peoples habits.

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boltonnut says...
1:07pm Wed 2 Jan 13

Bolton has a disease,it's called Morrisitus Cliffordus.The symptoms are,lameness,blindne
ss,deafness,deceit and stupidity to name a few.The disease must be eradicated as soon as possible to prevent the risk of further infection.

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boltonnut says...
1:07pm Wed 2 Jan 13

Bolton has a disease,it's called Morrisitus Cliffordus.The symptoms are,lameness,blindne
ss,deafness,deceit and stupidity to name a few.The disease must be eradicated as soon as possible to prevent the risk of further infection.

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Love Bolton says...
1:45pm Wed 2 Jan 13

I bought all my Christmas gifts from Bolton this year. Determined to keep the pounds in Bolton and my neighbours in work. It was such a nice shopping experience, the only downside was the weather, which even with inside shopping areas meant running to the car and getting things wet. This year I was very impressed with staff attitude and helpfulness at what much be the trickiest time of year. I was very impressed by staff at Primark (who knew all their stock!), The Works and the Fragrance Shop in Crompton Place when it was absolutely heaving with people! Going to the sales afterwards, I was also impressed with staff atttitude and would particularly comment on H Samuels, Next and H&M. Sadly Debenhams continues to disappoint with the grumpiest staff ever, even when there are no customers - too much focus on getting people to take credit cards than serving those who want to buy with money.
Overall though a great shopping experience. Lovely coffees in a variety of coffee shops inbetween.
This year I missed the toy shops that were in the Market Place and the one on the Pedestrianised area.
My favourite Santa was the free Santa in the Marketplace - so lovely and kind towards the children and a great twinkle in his eye. A good effort Bolton. Liked the free parking and would welcome it being extended to Crompton Place and the Market Place to reduce running in the rain!

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grimtown says...
5:47pm Wed 2 Jan 13

Love Bolton wrote:
I bought all my Christmas gifts from Bolton this year. Determined to keep the pounds in Bolton and my neighbours in work. It was such a nice shopping experience, the only downside was the weather, which even with inside shopping areas meant running to the car and getting things wet. This year I was very impressed with staff attitude and helpfulness at what much be the trickiest time of year. I was very impressed by staff at Primark (who knew all their stock!), The Works and the Fragrance Shop in Crompton Place when it was absolutely heaving with people! Going to the sales afterwards, I was also impressed with staff atttitude and would particularly comment on H Samuels, Next and H&M. Sadly Debenhams continues to disappoint with the grumpiest staff ever, even when there are no customers - too much focus on getting people to take credit cards than serving those who want to buy with money.
Overall though a great shopping experience. Lovely coffees in a variety of coffee shops inbetween.
This year I missed the toy shops that were in the Market Place and the one on the Pedestrianised area.
My favourite Santa was the free Santa in the Marketplace - so lovely and kind towards the children and a great twinkle in his eye. A good effort Bolton. Liked the free parking and would welcome it being extended to Crompton Place and the Market Place to reduce running in the rain!
I bought nothing in Bolton because it has a depressing feel to it. The German market in Manchester was fantastic with vibe and banta,then a browse round the independant shops in the arcades in st andrews square. The a late afternoon meal in the yang sing enjoyed by all until early evening.

Lovely you keep the charity friendly council it glover.
Bolton is simple a shopping trip a shopping trip elsewhere can be a day out.
This will never happen in bolton your spent a £10 on coffee I spent £85 for a chinese meal for two.

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grimtown says...
5:47pm Wed 2 Jan 13

Love Bolton wrote:
I bought all my Christmas gifts from Bolton this year. Determined to keep the pounds in Bolton and my neighbours in work. It was such a nice shopping experience, the only downside was the weather, which even with inside shopping areas meant running to the car and getting things wet. This year I was very impressed with staff attitude and helpfulness at what much be the trickiest time of year. I was very impressed by staff at Primark (who knew all their stock!), The Works and the Fragrance Shop in Crompton Place when it was absolutely heaving with people! Going to the sales afterwards, I was also impressed with staff atttitude and would particularly comment on H Samuels, Next and H&M. Sadly Debenhams continues to disappoint with the grumpiest staff ever, even when there are no customers - too much focus on getting people to take credit cards than serving those who want to buy with money.
Overall though a great shopping experience. Lovely coffees in a variety of coffee shops inbetween.
This year I missed the toy shops that were in the Market Place and the one on the Pedestrianised area.
My favourite Santa was the free Santa in the Marketplace - so lovely and kind towards the children and a great twinkle in his eye. A good effort Bolton. Liked the free parking and would welcome it being extended to Crompton Place and the Market Place to reduce running in the rain!
I bought nothing in Bolton because it has a depressing feel to it. The German market in Manchester was fantastic with vibe and banta,then a browse round the independant shops in the arcades in st andrews square. The a late afternoon meal in the yang sing enjoyed by all until early evening.

Lovely you keep the charity friendly council it glover.
Bolton is simple a shopping trip a shopping trip elsewhere can be a day out.
This will never happen in bolton your spent a £10 on coffee I spent £85 for a chinese meal for two.

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grimtown says...
7:12pm Wed 2 Jan 13

boltonnut wrote:
Bolton has a disease,it's called Morrisitus Cliffordus.The symptoms are,lameness,blindne

ss,deafness,deceit and stupidity to name a few.The disease must be eradicated as soon as possible to prevent the risk of further infection.
spot on

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BWFC71 says...
11:15pm Wed 2 Jan 13

Reality50 wrote:
We get the thin end of the wedge with being in Greater Manchester. No investment,no Metrolink and higher bus fares than all other parts of Greater Manchester. FIRST recently reduced weekly and daily tickets all over GM except in Bolton. We are taken for mugs. We need our own bus companies and we need FIRST kicked into touch.Preston does well as the county town of Lancashire as it has forged its own identity and is now a city. Bolton now lacks identity and purpose. The person who suggested independent councillors makes a good point but you would need 10-12 of them to make a real difference in the council chamber. A local peoples party would be preferable such as recently been done in Hereford with "It's Our County" who won many council seats this year in Hereford and Herefordshire generally.
Not quite correct with regards to First in Greater Manchester.....

There new M60 ticket is only valid within the M60 boundary and does not extend to the towns of Ashton, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury or Bolton. If that ticket is a success then First are going to introduce individual town tickets which will be the same price as the M60 ticket - BUT you can only use it within the town boundaries. Anyway the System One day/weekly/monthly tickets are great value and can be used on any bus within the whole county of Greater Manchester.

In Wigan and the south of the county Stagecoach (which is the major bus operator in these parts of the GM county) operate with their own ticketing policy which is generally 20-25% than First prices anyway!




MEANWHILE back to the topic - if anyone saw the results of the poll ther is one one real reason as to why the town is failing but a mixture of all the options. The BN picked on this reason as it had 26% of the vote, but the others reasons were in the 20's or high teen percentages - therefore its a bit of everything as to why the town is failing!

BUT the council won't read any of these comments nor act as they are selfish and just look after their own bank accounts no matter what party they are aligned to.

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Mulla89 says...
5:52pm Thu 3 Jan 13

I cant remember the last time I went shopping in Bolton, it's not nice just pasty shops and pound shops, like a cheaper Blackpool, choice of clothes shops are poor and one half decent music shop, countless mobile phone shops and coffee shops it's not balanced I go to trafford center now, good variety shops and a choice of foods even if is a 40 minute drive to get to costs a bit more but just a better experience and i don't mind taking my time.

Oh and parking is free!!!!!

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Love Bolton says...
12:45pm Fri 4 Jan 13

There is an easy way to make sure that Bolton keeps the shops it has and that more come - start shopping in Bolton. If you choose to spend your pounds at the Trafford Centre then that is all that will remain. We have a lot of power in our hands and it is really up to us how we use it.

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we-all-have-opinions says...
2:01pm Fri 4 Jan 13

Bolton as an excellent amenities stronghold, not only does it have an excellent museum but also a fantastic library which my daughter and I enjoy very much and not forgetting the local parks too spread on the fringe of town. We now live in Chippenham and we have noticed similarities with each town there is an abundance of over priced coffee shops and a overwhelming amount of charity shops, whilst not mocking the charity shops there is has to be more to offer than just this. I suppose it boils down to many factors why our town as died a death. The rates are overpriced, the quality of products on offer are shabby (Bolton market stalls) and the car park is that which a council should be extremely embarrased about not only does it lack space but also lacks security. However its not all doom and gloom we now jump on the bus and go to Bury which is more pleasing on the eye and actually has appeal to it. Bolton Council need to do a few things things drastically to regain its busy culture again maybe injecting a more youthful board than old draconian fuddy duddy's and secondandly listening and acting to the peoples needs. Will it get better??

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hatonfire says...
8:08am Sat 5 Jan 13

We-all-have :-
'We live in Chippenham' and 'We jump on a bus and go to Bury'.


Hmm.......

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ownerdriver says...
12:47pm Sat 5 Jan 13

I have worked as a courier for over 10 years and my daily route includes Bolton Town Centre, I agree with the comments that Bolton Town Centre as been in decline for a lot longer than the current recession.
A lot has been written on the comments pages regarding the failure of Bolton Council and it's illustrious leader all of which I agree with, but one factor that is not mentioned is the over zealous parking CEO's and the ever changing and ridiculous road layout of the town centre.
The only vehicles that seem to be welcome in the town are buses taxis and bicycles.
The Bolton News should be doing some professional journalism and confronting the leaders of Bolton Council (Harris/Morris) and reporting on their response, instead of putting out 2 bit reader polls.

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ownerdriver says...
12:53pm Sat 5 Jan 13

ownerdriver wrote:
I have worked as a courier for over 10 years and my daily route includes Bolton Town Centre, I agree with the comments that Bolton Town Centre as been in decline for a lot longer than the current recession.
A lot has been written on the comments pages regarding the failure of Bolton Council and it's illustrious leader all of which I agree with, but one factor that is not mentioned is the over zealous parking CEO's and the ever changing and ridiculous road layout of the town centre.
The only vehicles that seem to be welcome in the town are buses taxis and bicycles.
The Bolton News should be doing some professional journalism and confronting the leaders of Bolton Council (Harris/Morris) and reporting on their response, instead of putting out 2 bit reader polls.
Get Jeremy Paxman on the case.

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grimtown says...
7:04pm Sat 5 Jan 13

Love Bolton wrote:
There is an easy way to make sure that Bolton keeps the shops it has and that more come - start shopping in Bolton. If you choose to spend your pounds at the Trafford Centre then that is all that will remain. We have a lot of power in our hands and it is really up to us how we use it.
Love Bolton is that you Cliff?

I don't really won't a wardrobe of charity shop cature with the odours of **** and biscuits.
Thanks I'll go to Manchester City Center with its vibe and optimisum.

Sean Harris Cliff I hope you buy all your wardrobes from charity shop cloths.

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Love Bolton says...
12:47am Sun 6 Jan 13

Message for grimtown - I am not Cliff.
I do really like Bolton. I love living here, I like the people, I like the town centre, I love the hills and parks. I suppose living away for several years made me much more appreciative of what we have here. My children are happy here, the schools are good and expectations are high. I do sadly still have to travel a lot, that just makes me very very appreciative of Bolton.
I think the only downside of living here is the weather. However, I have been put right by many Boltonians - there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!
I am sad to hear that so many don't like Bolton, don't bother to go there and see that there is much more than charity shops, and basically moan.
That is probably the main reason why I contribute to offer a different perspective to the overwhelming negative attitude.
By the way, Queens park is so lovely, spent some time there today, full of lots of lovely people having fun and enjoying the pleasant weather.

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Bolton5 says...
1:55pm Sun 6 Jan 13

Above national average unemployment, 26% no qualifications, "Bolton workers put in more hours" . Sounds to me like most people who can go have gone.

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