Each time I go shopping around Ashton, I get more and more depressed at the state of the place. The row of shops from Barclays on the corner up to Ashton Library look an absolute disgrace. How on earth can people let this start to look like a derelict shambles.

Another charity shop is opening shortly on The Gerard Centre this time its in aid of MIND. We have more charity shops and food outlets than the area realistically needs.

Someone must be able to sort out the amount of empty commercial properties and set up some sort of community enterprise businesses.

Town: Asthon

I think that there is a group called ALWAYS ASHTON that have set up recently made up from the local Traders - I think that they are looking at ways to improve. I think that the person who owns the Card Shop on the corner of Gerard St / Garswood St is running ALWAYS ASHTON.

I apologise if I am wrong about this but this is what I have heard locally.