I WRITE as the president of the Bury Chamber of Trade, an organisation that represents many retailers in the town, with regard to the siting of the fair on The Rock. I would welcome the opportunity to advise all interested parties - whether shoppers or retailers - that we have reached a solution with those parties most likely to be affected.

The Chamber will submit a full report to the local authority within one month of the end of the fair which will include the views not only of retailers, but the police, town centre wardens, Bury and Rochdale Area Health Authority and the veterinary practice on The Rock. Depending upon the contents of this report, the Chamber will take up the matter with the local authority and Showman's Guild and, should it be an adverse report, then a solution will have to be found regarding the future of the fair. I would also like to explain to readers that the Chamber of Trade has members throughout the whole town and, as a long-established body, has to consider the needs of not only individuals but the town centre as a whole.

It has been reported in the Bury Times that Bury town centre now ranks number four in Greater Manchester, after Manchester city centre, the Trafford Centre and Stockport. In fact, it is some 21 places ahead of Bolton on a national scale, something we should all be proud of.

We have to move with the times and, if necessary, provide street entertainment - something which has been adopted by most of our competitors - to increase footfall and hopefully draw more national retailers into the town, thus providing a greater choice for our shopping public. We must adopt a progressive attitude and try new ways of promoting the town centre.

Let's hope for all of us that the fair proves to be a great success, so that we will be able to move forward with more exciting and innovative ways of keeping Bury at the top of the tree.

R. B. GETHING,

president,

Bury Chamber of Trade.

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