Queen of Shops Mary Portas optimistic for future of Rotherham. VOTE

CASH-strapped Rotherham CAN revive its shopping centre according to TV retail guru Mary Portas.

But critics have to stop knocking the town to help lure the shoppers back, says the star of the BBC series Mary, Queen of Shops.

Mary, who has been asked to come up with ideas for revitalising Britain’s struggling town centres by PM David Cameron, toured Rotherham yesterday and was optimistic that there was a future of the town

She also praised Rotherham Borough Council’s efforts to attract new businesses and said the town’s market was thriving.

Do you agree with Mary? Is there too much criticism of Rotherham town centre and its shops? What can we do to revive the town? Use the "write a comment" buttons to post your views.

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OF COURSE I’D SHOP IN ROTHERHAM . . . Why Mary Portas thinks there is a future for shopping in the town. See this week’s Advertiser.