CHRIS Green, who is seeking re-election as Atherton’s MP, has launched a campaign pledging to help revive the town centre.

The Conservative Bolton West and Atherton candidate was joined by residents at the campaign launch in the town centre on Friday.

He was joined by Leigh Conservative Parliamentary candidate Cllr James Grundy in urging Wigan Council to invest in Atherton town centre.

Mr Green said: “Time and time again Atherton has seen resources shut down or taken away and moved to Wigan.

“Atherton has a lovely town centre with great businesses but it needs to see more investment, including a full rethink about parking and the one-way system.

“I am launching this campaign calling on Wigan Council to remember Atherton and invest locally.”

Cllr Grundy added: “People in Atherton, Tyldesley, Golborne and Leigh have long felt anger at the way Wigan Council has allowed our town centres to decline.

“We have developed cross-party proposals alongside the independents to restore our town centres to how they should be, and how they were in the past.”

Val Houghton, chair of Atherton Business Partnership, said: “Businesses in Atherton town centre want to see Market Street opened up again.

“Wigan Council promised it would change it back if it didn’t work.

“Some businesses have lost 50 per cent of trade and are shutting up.

“We need change, which is why I am backing this campaign.”