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Poll Do you think Stafford is "Run Down" ?
- Thread starter c0tt0nt0p
- Start date
Bob
Well-Known Forumite
I clicked yes on the poll, because I'm undecided.
Stafford has some fab places, I love Bean encounter, Joxers, The Rose and Crown, The Swan etc. but I tend to avoid the town centre on the whole. The parking has been farcical for a number of years, one end of town looks like sh*tsville with nothing but pawn shops, budget shops and charity shops, then moving on to nothing but standard chain shops as you get further down.
There is nothing in Stafford to bring me into town, even with the new development, If I'm looking for a clothes I head to Shrewsbury, I like Joules and Fatface or I go to Manchester if I need Jeans for Long tall Sally as all the chains that have a tall range don't hold them in store, I was extremely disappointed with the Dorothy Perkins offering in the new outfit shop.
If I'm Christmas shopping I tend to visit the places above, shop online or head to the Trafford Centre of even Telford, just because it's easier to park and navigate and everything is all under one roof. Stafford just doesn't have what I need and I'm sure it's the same for others as well.
The town centre could be so much better, but the council seem to be unable/unwilling to help get the town back on track, even simple things like the Christmas parade has more than likely had a massive impact, the number of empty shops is ridiculous and there should be a huge incentive for independents and chains to be filling them, but there isn't. The drinking ban is the town puts any Christmas market type event as a non starter, but these type of things bring people in, it's bonkers.
Like many though until the powers that be can do something to make me want to spend money in Stafford, it's quicker and easier for me to go elsewhere, this is why people feel like it's a rundown ghost town.
Stafford has some fab places, I love Bean encounter, Joxers, The Rose and Crown, The Swan etc. but I tend to avoid the town centre on the whole. The parking has been farcical for a number of years, one end of town looks like sh*tsville with nothing but pawn shops, budget shops and charity shops, then moving on to nothing but standard chain shops as you get further down.
There is nothing in Stafford to bring me into town, even with the new development, If I'm looking for a clothes I head to Shrewsbury, I like Joules and Fatface or I go to Manchester if I need Jeans for Long tall Sally as all the chains that have a tall range don't hold them in store, I was extremely disappointed with the Dorothy Perkins offering in the new outfit shop.
If I'm Christmas shopping I tend to visit the places above, shop online or head to the Trafford Centre of even Telford, just because it's easier to park and navigate and everything is all under one roof. Stafford just doesn't have what I need and I'm sure it's the same for others as well.
The town centre could be so much better, but the council seem to be unable/unwilling to help get the town back on track, even simple things like the Christmas parade has more than likely had a massive impact, the number of empty shops is ridiculous and there should be a huge incentive for independents and chains to be filling them, but there isn't. The drinking ban is the town puts any Christmas market type event as a non starter, but these type of things bring people in, it's bonkers.
Like many though until the powers that be can do something to make me want to spend money in Stafford, it's quicker and easier for me to go elsewhere, this is why people feel like it's a rundown ghost town.
HopesDad
Don't feed the troll
You are missing the point. Yes it could be worse, just about, but as the county town it should be the BEST. And it is patently a long way from being the best.
You talk some b******s and I think you missing my point, I was implying it could be worse...you imagine being in a town where why the council can't put up lights.
Not sure what rule that says a county has to be the best. Just where exactly is Stafford worse than??
Tamworth, cannock burton, newcastle, stoke, hanley, tunstall.....the latter 3 are definitely in worst 3 category.
Feed The Goat
Well-Known Forumite
Stafford on the whole is not run down. However the town centre is not good and is getting worse. Certain areas such as behind the old co-op are unlikely to improve in the near or distant future.
Not sure this poll has the definitions right really.
The town isn't run down at all.....empty shops don't look great but it does not mean run down.
Run down tends to be falling apart, grotty in disrepair etc. The town centre is far from run down and as a town in general it is even further from run down. There are sections of the town that are ugly....I.e. back of the former co-op area but run down they are not.
You want to see rundown......Tunstall is your place for a fine example of such.
The town isn't run down at all.....empty shops don't look great but it does not mean run down.
Run down tends to be falling apart, grotty in disrepair etc. The town centre is far from run down and as a town in general it is even further from run down. There are sections of the town that are ugly....I.e. back of the former co-op area but run down they are not.
You want to see rundown......Tunstall is your place for a fine example of such.
HopesDad
Don't feed the troll
People like you are exactly the reason why Stafford is in the state it is in. No pride in the town , no ambition for it, happy to settle for second or third best.
Of course the county town should be the best. Otherwise what right has it got to be the county town?
HopesDad
Don't feed the troll
I repeat what I have said before - Stafford is not the most run down place in the world. It is simply run down. Largely because no-one cares about the town. My earlier post gives a lengthy and detailed justification for my argument.
Malcolm
Well-Known Forumite
I think the 'powers that be' have a planning role in the town, but ultimately, surely, if you don't use it, you lose it. Two points I want to make are: we the people elect the powers that be, so collectively we've got who we voted for in a free election, and market forces determine what shops we have and their success or not, depending on whether customers decide to spend their money in them.
The people make any town what it is, ultimately. I said before that Stafford people are generally intelligent and capable, so we need to work hard to promote our town, use it, and start new businesses, not rely on 'someone else', then when things fail, blame the council or the government or brexit
or whatever.
Also if we keep talking it down in a public forum, no-one new will want to come because they'll think it's a dump. It really isn't!
The people make any town what it is, ultimately. I said before that Stafford people are generally intelligent and capable, so we need to work hard to promote our town, use it, and start new businesses, not rely on 'someone else', then when things fail, blame the council or the government or brexit
or whatever.Also if we keep talking it down in a public forum, no-one new will want to come because they'll think it's a dump. It really isn't!
HopesDad
Don't feed the troll
I think the 'powers that be' have a planning role in the town, but ultimately, surely, if you don't use it, you lose it. Two points I want to make are: we the people elect the powers that be, so collectively we've got who we voted for in a free election, and market forces determine what shops we have and their success or not, depending on whether customers decide to spend their money in them.
The people make any town what it is, ultimately. I said before that Stafford people are generally intelligent and capable, so we need to work hard to promote our town, use it, and start new businesses, not rely on 'someone else', then when things fail, blame the council or the government or brexit
Also if we keep talking it down in a public forum, no-one new will want to come because they'll think it's a dump. It really isn't!
And by keeping on 'talking it up' in public forums and ignoring the crisis that Stafford is in, nothing will ever happen because people will think everything is perfect.
It does seem that I am the only person here on here trying to save Stafford.
HopesDad
Don't feed the troll
The crisis was caused by the council and us being made worse by blinkered people like you who allow things to get worse and will not challenge anything. My role, as the voice of reason, is to highlight the weaknesses of Stafford and raise awareness of the issues rather than simply burying my head in the sand like you and thinking everything is ok, which it is not.
HopesDad
Don't feed the troll
I have no idea who you are, and that is irelevant anyway. I am not blaming 'someone else', I am blaming a specific and identifiable group of people - the council. No one person could do this much damage, however incompetent they were.
proactive
Enjoying a drop of red.
That has to be the most ironic comment of 2016.
Clearly, from what you think of the town you've not been in town since about 2010, when your comments would have been fair enough. If you have been in this year then you've clearly had your eyes shut.
You are so far from being a voice of reason it is untrue.
