Greenhalgh’s has pledged to become dementia friendly, as part of a scheme launched by Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council.

The scheme is focused on the Horwich area of Bolton, and aims to help staff improve dementia sufferer’s customer experience. 44 local businesses have signed up to the scheme, with another 30 expected to do so – forming a council-backed Dementia Action Alliance.

Greenhalgh’s has two shops in Horwich, and said both would become dementia friendly after the Easter period. It added that it intended to extend the scheme to all of its 61 shops, across north west England.

Sandra Ogden, marketing director at Greenhalgh’s, said: “It is important that all customer-facing staff who provide a service should have an awareness and understanding of dementia, and become dementia friendly.

“We employ approximately 1,000 staff across the company, and we are aware that some of them do care for a family member who has been diagnosed with dementia. Greenhalgh’s is very happy to contribute to the important work being done to create dementia friendly communities.”

Councillor Linda Thomas, deputy leader of Bolton Council, said: “Nationally the number of people living with dementia is rising all the time and, in Bolton, we anticipate that within the next 10 years we will see the number of cases rise by 30%. Consequently, it is crucial that we work together as a community to ensure that people with dementia are supported to continue to live well.”