BURY traders are being asked to dig deep into their pockets to help get the town's tills jingling this Christmas.

They are being urged to contribute cash into a central pot for a massive advertising campaign.

And if successful, the promotion could bring an influx of new shoppers to the town during the lucrative festive period.

The idea has been launched by the Bury Town Centre Steering Group which hopes to raise more than £10,000 towards the high-profile advertising campaign.

It will be aimed at shoppers in other towns such as Altrincham, Oldham, Bolton, Rochdale, Burnley and Blackburn.

The advertising message will highlight the huge amount of investment, in excess of £60 million, which has been pumped into Bury in the last year.

Big names like Bhs, Next and Tesco have been attracted to the town, with other companies such as Boots and Curry's extending their stores. An additional attraction for shoppers is the on-going multi-million pound extension to the popular Mill Gate centre by way of the Union Arcade redevelopment.

The Steering Group acknowledges Bury is surrounded by other towns with shopping centres and large promotional budgets.

But what they do not have like Bury, says the group, is a famous market, a wide range of shops, a compact shopping centre and a friendly welcome.

Group spokesman Alan Oatey, director of The Met, said: "Bury must get this message across.

"We are asking for traders in Bury to put some of the money which they have for Christmas promotion into a central pot so a co-ordinated campaign to bring people to Bury can be given a profile which will make it stand out in the region."

The Town Centre Steering Group promotes partnership, believing people working together is better for trade overall than everyone focusing on their own business.

Mr Oatey continued: "Christmas is such an important time for trade that Bury must make its mark.

"If we get it right, Bury will not only benefit at Christmas but into the New Year as new shoppers, who enjoy the Christmas experience, return to the town."

Any trader wishing to support Bury's Christmas campaign should call Mr Philip Wheelhouse, who is co-ordinating the campaign on behalf of the group, at the Bury Times on 764 9421.

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