PODIUM is sponsored this week by Covonia cough drops (other brands are available) and several generic useless dry tickly cough syrups.

So if this missive wanders a little, bear in mind the author had around six hours sleep from Friday through to Monday and the edges definitely started to get a bit fuzzy by the end of the Top 40.

Glory be, there's an I-Max cinema coming to town, and not before time film fans.

Because the one thing high on any cineaste's checklist, when the next instalment of Fast And The Furious, Transformers or Pacific Rim is a bowel-loosening sound system and a screen taller than my first house.

Top marks to the developers though, they've not only hit the touchstone of town centre revamp but raised the stakes significantly.

Now just get on with it - market traders are already posting notices in the window reminding people they are still in business, and will be until Bank Street fully reopens.

Elsewhere Bridge Street could perhaps do with taking a leaf out of my second-favourite store, Head, in the Golden Square.

Currently they are gearing up for National Record Store Day and I can't wait to see what they pull out of the bag.

And maybe that's what could make a big splash at the home of the River of Life.

Independent and innovative traders, ready to offer something a little different.

I'll be the first to confess, there isn't a hope in hell if competing with the Golden Square for major retailers. Under cover, handy for the bus station, good choice, it's a no-brainer.

Why not have your cake and eat it by promoting some traditional outlets or start-up ventures in one of the many vacant premises? Rents may be an issue - I'll make it my mission to do some Land Registry searches before too long.

Fairly soon the market will open out onto the thoroughfare and Warrington's department store, Hancock & Wood, could be given a huge lift.

If no-one thinks this is possible then visit Bradford, Halifax, or a little Cheshire town where I used to edit a paper, Nantwich.

* In order to show some consideration for a friend in Westy who had been out celebrating his birthday and didn't want some nutter rattling on his door at 10am, I took a stroll down Thelwall Lane.

And I'll beg the indulgence of our Westy readers but I've not been beyond ?..... Club in many a long year. So I kept trundling on to 'Clearwater Quays'. and daydreamed about being able to afford a canalside pad.

But what struck your correspondent most was the imposing sweep of the old railway bridge over the Manchester Ship.

No apologies for revisiting previous rants but wouldn't it be spectacular to see a light railway return to make that crossing zing? Wilderspool to Lymm via Katchfird and Stockton Heath and Thelwall (boy this flu remedy is good).

We're in danger of becoming a little obsessed when it comes to bridges in Warrington, which I guess is the price you pay for hosting the Mersey and some of the most historic man made waterways in the world.

Intriguing views from John Gartside on the subject of the old Transporter Bridge, and the Rev Parrish, in last week's paper.

Our bypass bridges should be of paramount importance but, as ventilated here, surely a master plan for the whole Bank Quay quarter could squeeze in some restoration ambitions?

Scanning this piece, there's an awful lot of rhetorical questions posed. If I'm doubting the courage of my own convictions I must be sicker than I thought.