This is my hometown. Honestly, it used to never be this bad. Growing up here, every single shop would be open, and the streets would be packed. The council started raising shop rent around 10 years ago, and that's when the decline started to happen. The council assumed that building a new retail park would get business booming again, but instead, it totally crashed it. Now only some large chains can survive, whilst independent stores have gone out of business. It's up to the council to sort out the ridiculous rent and get the shops full again. I assume that's what they're attempting to do as they've refurbished the town centre, and they plan on opening a market there. I'm glad I moved away, but it still hurts to see my home looking like that.
Its just shifted more north to the end of town. Mill street is thriving with independents in smaller units. The bigger shops at the start of town will be converted to apartments and food, like all places have had to do as markets change. Even john lewis in new street couldn't cope, diversifying to Offices etc. Its a national issue that we seem to be coping well with.
Such a sad shadow of it's former glory. Stafford was a beautiful and lively town when I moved here 30 year ago. Some poor planning decisions have done a lot of damage, but it can only improve.
I visited The Ancient High House (that very old house in the town) the day before you did this video. It is a pretty decent museum and is worth a visit.
i live here its great if you like closed shops , best Turkish barbers , vape shops , and car washes , and foreign food shops , all cash only , with little or no trade , ODD TO SAY THE LEAST , o and all the roads are closed to , its a third world now
You could have mentioned the weather vane on St Mary's Church which has a hole in it. Charles II (I think) was staying at the High House and was so bored he decided to try out his new pistols. Tempting to say Stafford hasn't changed.
It was Prince Rupert who was supposed to have shot the weather vane, demonstrating the accuracy of his continental horse pistol. He was one of Charles 1st’s military commanders and was staying at The High House with Charles during the civil war. Unfortunately the weather vane was removed several centuries ago so it’s difficult to verify the story.
This was very useful to watch. I'm contemplating on buying a house here and finding somewhere to call home. From what I've seen, Stafford is a beautiful town. As you've pointed out, it's very clean which is good to see. I don't think much can be done about the empty shops as pretty much all high street shops across the country suffer from high rents, online shopping, retail parks.
I have to say, not that it is much of a revelation, that the fashion for Retail Parks has been the knife in the heart of many of our towns and cities. Without commerce there is no 'life' in a place and the rot sets in quickly - Hanley is the prime local example of that.
I moved to Stafford 25 years ago and loved that I had escaped from Walsall. Tonight, I finally have to admit that it has descended into a heap of shit. M6 disabled daughter was left to wander the street whilst I desperately tried to find a way to get to her in the car. Major roads closed with no advance notice, no alternatives given, people trapped behind walls of bollards, council staff indifferent to the problems this creates, the police station closed when you need action. Somebody remind me what our council tax is supposed to pay for? Any suggestions for a decent town to move to?
@@ChrisPindar it pays for the brown bins I think..stafford’s a decent town, why not stay help to support it ? you didn’t support Walsall..why should you support stafford..? Try Solihull..if you get to know a place you know the side roads to escape down when the arteries are blocked..
Just like most high streets most of shops closing down as well as pubs not just stafford that run down most town centres are run down to it my home town
2:35 the old Woolworths which then became Sports Direct, and moved to the new development on the south side of town. another one that moved to the new development. 3:20 M&S has also moved to the new bit.
The big library may be shut. The actual library that is open is in the town centre off one of the side streets. It's tiny in comparison to the building that you filmed.
Stafford has nothing for the young, apart from clothes shops, and nothing for older adults with no clothes shops for adults . Apart from supermarket clothes. The whole town is dull, dirty and nowhere to go. Can't even find any decent sports or fitness activities for seniors ( who are still young I'm mind.) Learning new skills and hobbies these courses are miles away . We have to go out of town. I am shopping in Cannock, Stoke, taking the train to other better towns because there is nothing here. And to find people I know well are moving out of Stafford which I don't blame them . Every where you look it's disgusting, an absolute dirty place. Overgrown grass as high as 3 to 4ft and weeds . I can't remember when I last saw a street cleaner around the town. Has to be a few years now. This town has been dead and boring for years and wherever you walk through the High Street and surrounding area is an empty building . Boarded up windows or smashed glass. I myself would like to leave this grey town. Its seems I've to wait a while because of family. Persevere...
It might have a lot of closed shops but at least it’s clean . It just goes to show what a disgraceful mess Burslem , Hanley and Tunstall have become . Slums don’t happen by themselves…..
I worked there from 1980-1983 and absolutely loved the place. Can't say I feel the same now. Then again, I could say the same about my hometown (Rugeley)
You missed so much. You should have done some homework. You walked past the haunted Ancient High House. St Mary's & St Chad's both date back to the 1100s. There is a beautiful park with swans and a conservatory You did not do this County town justice at all..
Doesn’t that say more about Stafford’s way finding for visitors more than this guy having an amble to a town he’s never visited before perhaps? Good video. Made me appreciate more about the town centre.
Yeah you totally overlooked all the grand canyon sized pot-holes and perpetual road closures, where no work actually seems to be happening! It's truly magical! Oh don't forget the Sea of Doxey and the Sandon Road Boating Lake, albeit seasonal encounters, but all brought to you By Stafford Borough and County Councils respectively. Then there is "carmegeddon" to look forward to on days like today, where there is a closure of the M6, and traffic filters through the already overburdened and decrepit road infrastructure. Fun for the whole family. To be sure, to be sure.
@@DarylPritchardvideosYou did a great job Stafford has definitely changed for the worst. I lived in RAF Stafford moved away in 1990, I have been back to visit and I was shocked to see it looks more like a ghost town now.
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This is my hometown. Honestly, it used to never be this bad. Growing up here, every single shop would be open, and the streets would be packed. The council started raising shop rent around 10 years ago, and that's when the decline started to happen. The council assumed that building a new retail park would get business booming again, but instead, it totally crashed it. Now only some large chains can survive, whilst independent stores have gone out of business. It's up to the council to sort out the ridiculous rent and get the shops full again. I assume that's what they're attempting to do as they've refurbished the town centre, and they plan on opening a market there. I'm glad I moved away, but it still hurts to see my home looking like that.
Its just shifted more north to the end of town. Mill street is thriving with independents in smaller units. The bigger shops at the start of town will be converted to apartments and food, like all places have had to do as markets change. Even john lewis in new street couldn't cope, diversifying to Offices etc. Its a national issue that we seem to be coping well with.
Such a sad shadow of it's former glory. Stafford was a beautiful and lively town when I moved here 30 year ago. Some poor planning decisions have done a lot of damage, but it can only improve.
If you think it can’t get any worse, come to Birmingham and have a look around
I visited The Ancient High House (that very old house in the town) the day before you did this video. It is a pretty decent museum and is worth a visit.
Awesome
Is it cleaner than Stoke on Trent Hanley
You missed the excellent park, with the River Sow running through it. It is a shame that the town centre seemed DEAD, Still it was Sunday morning.
i live here its great if you like closed shops , best Turkish barbers , vape shops , and car washes , and foreign food shops , all cash only , with little or no trade , ODD TO SAY THE LEAST , o and all the roads are closed to , its a third world now
So sad to see Stafford like this when I was a young un all these shops would be open!!
You could have mentioned the weather vane on St Mary's Church which has a hole in it. Charles II (I think) was staying at the High House and was so bored he decided to try out his new pistols. Tempting to say Stafford hasn't changed.
It was Prince Rupert who was supposed to have shot the weather vane, demonstrating the accuracy of his continental horse pistol. He was one of Charles 1st’s military commanders and was staying at The High House with Charles during the civil war.
Unfortunately the weather vane was removed several centuries ago so it’s difficult to verify the story.
15:36 the old library has been closed for a long time now and mostly left to rot. Such a waste of a lovely building.
Moved twice since then. Can't stand the new one.
This was very useful to watch. I'm contemplating on buying a house here and finding somewhere to call home. From what I've seen, Stafford is a beautiful town. As you've pointed out, it's very clean which is good to see. I don't think much can be done about the empty shops as pretty much all high street shops across the country suffer from high rents, online shopping, retail parks.
I have to say, not that it is much of a revelation, that the fashion for Retail Parks has been the knife in the heart of many of our towns and cities. Without commerce there is no 'life' in a place and the rot sets in quickly - Hanley is the prime local example of that.
The one time bag head becky isn’t about 😂
I moved to Stafford 25 years ago and loved that I had escaped from Walsall. Tonight, I finally have to admit that it has descended into a heap of shit. M6 disabled daughter was left to wander the street whilst I desperately tried to find a way to get to her in the car. Major roads closed with no advance notice, no alternatives given, people trapped behind walls of bollards, council staff indifferent to the problems this creates, the police station closed when you need action. Somebody remind me what our council tax is supposed to pay for? Any suggestions for a decent town to move to?
@@ChrisPindar it pays for the brown bins I think..stafford’s a decent town, why not stay help to support it ? you didn’t support Walsall..why should you support stafford..? Try Solihull..if you get to know a place you know the side roads to escape down when the arteries are blocked..
London 😂😂
@@ChrisPindar West Bromwich..
Just like most high streets most of shops closing down as well as pubs not just stafford that run down most town centres are run down to it my home town
I was hoping to get a glimpse of supermarkets where the people now go? Can you make a video showing them?
See what we can do
The boarded up large store on the left, was either BHS or M&S
It was M&S which moved to the new development on the south side of town. North end is dead and supposedly being turned into residential use.
Grimm I live there
The town hall was the old county court..
Almost caught up my friend
Thank u so much
Lived here for a couple of years in the mid 80's and it was a great place.
Still is.
pedestrianised wasteland
2:35 the old Woolworths which then became Sports Direct, and moved to the new development on the south side of town. another one that moved to the new development.
3:20 M&S has also moved to the new bit.
Thank you so much
The big library may be shut. The actual library that is open is in the town centre off one of the side streets. It's tiny in comparison to the building that you filmed.
@@sueevansProoovviitt thanks for the comment sue
Only 3 days ago there was an incident with a gun behind the Couture nightclub.
It's not the town hall it's the old library. They built a new one around the corner. Such a shame most towns are going this way. 😞
I'm so glad I moved out of this hole. It used to be a vibrant, lively place with a buzzing town. But now it's yet another ghost town dump 😢
It’s not that bad
Your just watching it in the winter we’re no one wants to be outside
It has gone downhill I won't be visiting again it use to be a great place.
Will you do Burnley? Theres a borough called Stoneyholme its in the Top5%MostDeprivedBoroughs in England
Wow will do out best currently in california
@DarylPritchardvideos enjoy it mate got yourself a new sub! Ill b waiting for burnley
Stafford has nothing for the young, apart from clothes shops, and nothing for older adults with no clothes shops for adults . Apart from supermarket clothes. The whole town is dull, dirty and nowhere to go. Can't even find any decent sports or fitness activities for seniors ( who are still young I'm mind.) Learning new skills and hobbies these courses are miles away . We have to go out of town. I am shopping in Cannock, Stoke, taking the train to other better towns because there is nothing here. And to find people I know well are moving out of Stafford which I don't blame them . Every where you look it's disgusting, an absolute dirty place. Overgrown grass as high as 3 to 4ft and weeds . I can't remember when I last saw a street cleaner around the town. Has to be a few years now. This town has been dead and boring for years and wherever you walk through the High Street and surrounding area is an empty building . Boarded up windows or smashed glass. I myself would like to leave this grey town. Its seems I've to wait a while because of family. Persevere...
Not filming the park? And the swans, ducks etc?
@@sueevansProoovviitt we will soon lol
Jail gate street..Gaol gate street..old spelling.
My home town ,,
It might have a lot of closed shops but at least it’s clean . It just goes to show what a disgraceful mess Burslem , Hanley and Tunstall have become . Slums don’t happen by themselves…..
I grew up in Stafford in the 1950s/60s. This is very depressing. Clearly so called ‘development’ does not mean better or is it my rose tinted specs?
I worked there from 1980-1983 and absolutely loved the place. Can't say I feel the same now. Then again, I could say the same about my hometown (Rugeley)
Quite a few shops shut down because of the covid restrictions.
Could be worse, could be stoke 😂😂
M&S, Argos no longer there
Yes they are.
Tory council
You missed so much. You should have done some homework. You walked past the haunted Ancient High House. St Mary's & St Chad's both date back to the 1100s. There is a beautiful park with swans and a conservatory You did not do this County town justice at all..
So sorry we did not do that, we will surely try to do better next time
Doesn’t that say more about Stafford’s way finding for visitors more than this guy having an amble to a town he’s never visited before perhaps? Good video. Made me appreciate more about the town centre.
Yeah you totally overlooked all the grand canyon sized pot-holes and perpetual road closures, where no work actually seems to be happening! It's truly magical!
Oh don't forget the Sea of Doxey and the Sandon Road Boating Lake, albeit seasonal encounters, but all brought to you By Stafford Borough and County Councils respectively.
Then there is "carmegeddon" to look forward to on days like today, where there is a closure of the M6, and traffic filters through the already overburdened and decrepit road infrastructure.
Fun for the whole family. To be sure, to be sure.
WoW, you love it as much as I did 75 years ago. Do you still get the 'Brummie Trippers' sitting on Cannock Chase on a Sunday?@@ObiDanKinobi
@@DarylPritchardvideosYou did a great job Stafford has definitely changed for the worst. I lived in RAF Stafford moved away in 1990, I have been back to visit and I was shocked to see it looks more like a ghost town now.