AN INVITE to a ground breaking meeting at the House of Commons gave Altrincham's Janet Lopacki the chance to be a the forefront of new developments in town centre management.

Janet, from the Altrincham Town Centre Partnership, attended a champagne reception to mark the launch of the Institute of Place Management.

The institute has been developed by the Association of Town Centre Managers and Manchester Metropolitan University, with the members being drawn from worldwide.

Janet received the invite while studying for an MSc in place management and completing the institute's introductory diploma in place management at Manchester Metropolitan University. Janet said: It was lovely to be invited to the launch and be presented with both my diploma and institute membership, it felt quite an honour drinking champagne on the terrace of the House of Commons."The Altrincham Town Centre has also been shortlisted for this year's ATCM's town centre awards, competing against Barking and Gainsborough. The winner will be announced in February.