Jade-clothing
Well-Known Forumite
At a loose end at the weekend and decided to visit Lichfield.
I've always really liked the city but haven't been for a year or two. I used to be very familiar with Lichfield and visited on a weekly basis around 5 years or so ago but felt it had gone downhill with lots of empty shops around and not the vibrant buzz it had, had in previous years.
Well that has all changed now and I was really impressed. This was on Sunday and it was absolutely packed! There was a brilliant vibe about the place. Lots of new shops and eateries opened. A steam fair in the park which took me back to my child hood and it was so great to see families enjoying old fashioned entertainment when these days it's all computer games and theme parks. It was so brilliant to see traditional rides - dodgems, galloping horses, steam boats etc.
Took a look around the Cathedral, which had done before but was nice to see it packed with visitors.
Barely any empty shops. Lots of niche shops, from chic boutiques to quirky homeware, antiques, charity shops, cute little independent retailers. It was fab - Lichfield has always had lots of good eateries but loads of new ones opened.
It made me sad to think, we could have all of this in Stafford. I mean we have the architecture, lovely buildings as discussed on other threads. The park, St. Marys, the High House, all the new eateries. I just find it so sad that Stafford doesn't get the recognition it deserves as the market town.
Lichfield proves really what can be done and that people do still have money to spend on a good day out, they are just picky where they spend it.
I've always really liked the city but haven't been for a year or two. I used to be very familiar with Lichfield and visited on a weekly basis around 5 years or so ago but felt it had gone downhill with lots of empty shops around and not the vibrant buzz it had, had in previous years.
Well that has all changed now and I was really impressed. This was on Sunday and it was absolutely packed! There was a brilliant vibe about the place. Lots of new shops and eateries opened. A steam fair in the park which took me back to my child hood and it was so great to see families enjoying old fashioned entertainment when these days it's all computer games and theme parks. It was so brilliant to see traditional rides - dodgems, galloping horses, steam boats etc.
Took a look around the Cathedral, which had done before but was nice to see it packed with visitors.
Barely any empty shops. Lots of niche shops, from chic boutiques to quirky homeware, antiques, charity shops, cute little independent retailers. It was fab - Lichfield has always had lots of good eateries but loads of new ones opened.
It made me sad to think, we could have all of this in Stafford. I mean we have the architecture, lovely buildings as discussed on other threads. The park, St. Marys, the High House, all the new eateries. I just find it so sad that Stafford doesn't get the recognition it deserves as the market town.
Lichfield proves really what can be done and that people do still have money to spend on a good day out, they are just picky where they spend it.