What do you think is the worst city centre in the UK and why?

[OneLilacHedgehog]

So many cities have gone downhill since COVID. But which is the worst?

I agree about Bangor. Such a shame. We visited the University over the summer which is utterly beautiful but the city is just awful. It's just hollowed out.

Bournemouth Council should be ashamed of themselves!

I was there in the summer visiting a friend who had rented an airbnb - and so many boarded up shops in the city centre and toothless drug addict types hanging around dirty streets. I remember it as a child in the 70s when it was quite lovely, full of hanging baskets full of flowers and vibrant ice cream shops and smart department stores. It seemed quite twee then and smart. It is a right dump now. I certainly wouldn't recommend it.

Can anyone from Bournemouth tell us what has happened for it to fall so bad?

Ahh that makes sense we were at a shopping area which I assumed was the main bit.

I’m going to stick up for Birmingham! I went three years ago for the Christmas market and stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. We had amazing views over the city and I stayed up half the night just looking at all the lights from our window the sunrise was gorgeous too.

I loved the Custard Factory area with its cool cafés, Chinatown had a great atmosphere, and we loved the canal and waterside pubs. I thought the whole city had a really good vibe. Birmingham definitely wouldn’t be anywhere near my “worst city” list!

Sorry if I sound like a the Birmingham Tourist board but I really like the place!

I think maidenhead is very disappointing

I was going to name Chichester as one of my favouritesthe walk from the station to the Cathedral is lovely. It also has a john lewis and a huge lidl.

That's ironic as many people from Portsmouth travel to Chichester to do their shopping because of M&S! The shops in Chichester are so much nicer, the city centre is very walkable and there is a nice selection of restaurants and, of course, the theatre is wonderful

I would imagine there are a lot more people who travel from Portsmouth into Chichester than the other way round (for shopping)

Birmingham has a big problem with beggars. If you drive in, you'll see beggars standing in the dual carriageways, trying to blag cash from cars that are stopped at traffic lights. Given the appalling standard of driving in Brum, this has to be a risky way of getting some cash. I've no idea what drugs the city centre beggars are on, but they render them unable to speak coherently. I presume when they approach you they're asking for money but it's just random sounds that come out of their mouths. Driving in Birmingham at night is terrifying, the city's dual carriageway becomes a race track, with some of the most idiotic and reckless driving you're ever likely to witness. It's truly scary, my advice to anyone visiting or leaving Birmingham by car is to do it in the hours of daylight.

I left there in 2002- sounds like it's gone really downhill.

It always was but it's not a city.

I’d say Manchester too.
Im from Edinburgh so not really comparing the two but even compared to London, Liverpool, Newcastle and even Glasgow, it just felt a bit eugh.

Surprised at people saying Manchester. It was grim in the 90s but went rather posh after the IRA bombed it.

Agree Leicester has really done downhill, last time I was there was a couple of years ago and it was bad.

Birmingham is far from the worst. It did used to be pretty grim, but it’s lovely in places now and digbeth is still really cool.

Thanks! We don’t usually get much love 🤷🏼‍♀️

I LOVE Edinburgh

Agreed. Of the cities I know well, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol & Cheltenham are all thriving & great places to visit.

Coventry

This had always been the case though.

Come off the M1 and its shithole all the way to zone 1, if anything it is less awful now than 30 years ago.

The lack of fast roads into town would shame a great city if it wasn't the case in practically all of the UK.

Edit spelling

I preferred Liverpool way back when. It has lost its identity.

Funny question. How can anyone on Mumsnet possibly know?

Not a city but nearly 40 years ago I lived in Paignton and while it had its issues, it was a pretty nice place to live. I am shocked to see what has happened to it. Pretty much the same with Bournemouth. My great aunt lived there when I was a child, longer ago now than I care to admit, and it was quite upmarket in those days.

Not sure it's the worst but Birmingham has really gone downhill since Covid, for all the reasons people have mentioned. I lived there for a few years in the city centre and loved it. I've decided not to visit again unless I have to. Shopping is pretty extensive in Birmingham but just not enjoyable any more.

Gloucester on the other hand......

It’s a talking point

I don’t know why Birmingham is getting such a bad rap, the city centre is quite cool I think, some great architecture and shops, and the Bull Ring is nice. Above all it’s busy and buzzy and the people are friendly. (I must have missed the drug addicts, that’s a shame though.)