LETTER TO THE EDITOR, CHORLEY GUARDIAN published 24 October 2017
"Dear Editor
MARKET WALK AND THE 75 PER CENT PLEDGE
In September 2015 Chorley’s Labour Council announced in one of their press releases that “the council is committed to only starting work [on their Market Walk shopping centre extension] once at least 75 per cent of the units have been signed up on pre-lets.”
In October 2016 Chorley’s Labour Council wrote “Since the council bought the shopping centre in 2013 officers and members have been working on plans to extend it and work could start early in the New Year. We pledged to have 75 per cent of the units filled before work would begin and we now have interest in around 79 per cent of the space.”
In May this year the council wrote “Marks & Spencer are set to bring an M&S Foodhall and fashion, accessories and home retailer, TK Maxx, are set to join Reel Cinema in the extension to Market Walk shopping centre, which is owned and managed by Chorley Council.”
Importantly they continue “Alongside the cinema, the two retailers will take up over 75 per cent of the extension’s floor space giving shoppers even more choice in the town.”
Work has now begun more than halving what was Chorley’s key shoppers car park. As one of the thousands of residents paying for all this, can the Labour leadership demonstrate how they have kept their pledge to only start work when 75 per cent lets have been agreed? WHAT retailer has replaced TK Maxx, and WHAT commitment from others? Your taxpayers want to know.
Peter Malpas, armchair auditor"
