Market day in Bury. Here's the flower stall at the corner of the Butter Market and Abbeygate Street. Think it's called 'Pick 'em out where you like, two pound a bunch or three for a fiver'.

There's been a lot of debate in recent months about the fate of Bury's old Cattle Market. Town councillors have decided that the land once used by the market should be developed into new shops and housing. I will elaborate on this in time, but for now here's a shot of The Traverse with its small independent shops - surely at risk if the big chain stores come to town.

The new Licensing Act comes into force in November, liberalising English licensing law and relaxing pub opening hours. Another controversial issue - few believe it will reduce alcohol-related disorder like it's supposed to - I'll come back to that. Anyhow, the longed-for European style cafe culture can be found in Abbeygate Street on warm Saturdays, and people are not drinking beer.

Abbeygate Street manages to be the main shopping street without actually having too many shops you'd want to use, but that's OK. It's the best looking street and central to everything. Perhaps I'll review the shops later. Meanwhile, the beating heart of the commercial district is St John's Street.