VISITORS to Leigh can now park safely and securely.

A joint venture between Leigh Town Centre Management and Crown Car Parks offers shoppers the chance to park only a minute's walk from Bradshawgate.

And the cost of a full day's parking is £1.20 - 60p for half a day.

That offers drivers the opportunity to take their time without worrying about limited parking spots which has caused frustration over the past few years.

The new car park is on Brown Street, off East Bond Street, just at the rear of Lord Street, and is staffed 24 hours a day with close circuit TV as an extra security measure.

Town centre manager Jophn Ayres said: "I think this joint venture between ourselves and Crown Car Parks Ltd is brilliant for people wanting to visit Leigh town centre.

"For a long time parking problems in Leigh have caused potential shoppers to go elsewhere or drive straight out of town again after not being able to park - and that means lost revenue for us all.

"This scheme offers great facilities within only a minute's walk of the main streets and shoppers can rest easy knowing their cars are safe.

"We need to bring as much life back into Leigh town centre as possible.

"By providing good, safe parking for shoppers I am confident they will be only too happy to spend time and money in local shops which, of course, is good for the whole town."

Car parking problems in the town have led many traders to believe thousands of pounds have been lost over the past few years, with major supermarkets benefiting.

Visitors have also criticised the cost of parking on Leigh's few council owned car parks.

Mr Ayres, who is so confident of the attractions of Leigh he has even arranged for the production of a special Leigh promotional carrier bag for shoppers, added:

"There is lots to see and do in Leigh and visitors should be able to stay as long as they like without having to worry about what it is costing to park and how safe their cars are. With this new facility their worries should disappear."

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