To think Southampton city centre is disappointing?

[Perplexing]

I visited yesterday for first time in about 21 years. Apart from the West Quay centre which, unless I missed a lot of it, I found underwhelming, there didn't seem to be much else. And what little else there is seems to close at 5.30. The place felt rather soulless and almost seedy, even at 6pm. The top end of town is now pretty derelict (where Tyrrell & Green used to be) and unless I've gone deaf in the intervening tears, the civic centre clock has stopped chiming. There were also lots of people swearing in public, I mean you expect to hear a few, but it seemed literally every other person was saying F-this or that (very loudly)

I suppose begrudgingly I can admit that the market square looks ok as do the other areas they have revamped (so the taxi rank) but those slabs mean I struggle to go there anymore, the slightest hint of rain and its really slippery I had even resorted to wearing trainers but it did not help.

It's a shame really for me because it was one of the few towns I could use with out help getting about no aids no support no nothing, now I can't unless I take someone with me.

Old George mall just down from whsmiths

People that have recommended Basingstoke & Chichester - what are the best bits, where to head for lunch etc? What is the 'vibe' like?

This slippery Salisbury market thing sounds v off putting. Had anyone complained to the council? (Although much good that would do I suspect.)

Thanks Needs btw:-)

chich is fab - loads of lovely shops

if you think Southampton is bad don't ever visit beastly Eastleigh :)

Furlined- tell me about Chichester

I live near Whiteley Shopping, I have to say I love it.... Yy to the restaurants overlooking the car park tho, and it does get a bit windy! Monsoon has just opened, joules opens on Apr 9, and apparently they have signed up Pizza Express and Nando's.... All we need is a White Stuff and a Crew and I'll never have to leave Whiteley! Except to take DD to school and go to the shiny new Waitrose that opens tomorrow in Locks Heath!

Whitely, is that near Fareham? Think I have seen signs to it when on the way to Gosport (where I sometimes need to go...don't ask). Also Lock's Heath. It's great to know what lies behind the signposts

I am from Southampton but left in 1987 to study in Brighton. I loved Tyrell and Greens and Plummers. The few timesI've been to the town centre since I've been shocked how bad it is.

We never eat out on shopping trips to be honest. Basingstoke has got every major chain, mostly in a cluster just outside the shopping centre. I wouldn't say it had "best bits" to be honest, it's just a well laid out major shopping centre with most of the chains and a few streets of independent shops outside, every day, functional shops rather than nice to potter and browse round IYSWIM.

Chichester is more upmarket, lots of independent shops and cafes, laid out as North, South, East and West Streets radiating from a market cross but can't recommend eating places or coffee shops as we don't use them.

Spangle - yay another plummers fan!! I loved that shop. It had a great cafe too which served delicious Welsh Rarebit. I was so traumatised by the whole S'oton experience yesterday that I had to visit Bradford on Avon today to redress the balance - which, incidentally, also has serveries offering fine Welsh Rarebits. Never be the same as good old Plummers though!

Whoknows- thanks :-)

I think its dissapointing too. I spent a day or so theire while my kids attended open days and interviews at the Uni. I mooched about and was suprised to be so underwhelmed.

Portsmouth, Winchester, Salisbury and even Bournemouth have more character.

Where is the place that has a huge big clock with big balls that roll around on a track making it work?

I complained to the council the response I got was that they were not slippery

The clock definitely still plays "Oh God our hope in ages past" at 8am, midday & 4pm. I heard it yesterday & today.

Kerno, thank you, I must have missed those times. I thought it used to play every hour, and a segment every 1/4 hr (if that makes sense). Glad a bit of history / memory is still there. I liked hearing it.

Is it bad that I actually LOL'ed at the comment about Scummy Southampton suffering with the fact that it'll never be as awesome as Portsmouth!! Being born in Pompey & brought up in Fareham, I do clearly have a bias towards good old Portsmouth.

Southampton is a poor man's relation!!

Needs- that sounds about right for Wilts council

For those brought up in and around Pompey, this is an excellent quiz. www.gotoquiz.com/how_portsmouth_are_you_1

Went to university in Southampton. Hated the city centre as awful to shop there. On returned not any better. Mind you loved watching the boats come and go. Winchester very pretty but last time I visited seemed to be dying shop wise. Hated the fact they charged to visit the cathedral. Chichester I love the cuty. Very long streets but the cathedral is free.... Am enjoying visiting the different parts of London at the moment. Visited hampstead last week. The grave yard was a who's who of famous people. I love the fact I was born in England with so many interesting places to visit from the moors to the cities.....

Chichester I love the CITY not the other word, silly computer corrected it!

Guildford? Nice??? Last time I went it was a shit hole!! It's okay if you can afford all the top end trendy shops like Urban Outfitters & Superdry (more to the point, if you an fit into any of it but I'm no longer a teenager so find the clothes wearable or practical in both a money & size context).

The only good thing left in Guildford is GLive music venue

Perplexing It bongs all the time too. I just love the tune throughout the day. Ok, time for the other nice things about Southampton:

1. Sea City Museum including the story of the Titanic. It really hits home when you see how many streets were devastated by the losses amongst the crew.
2. Costa in Waterstones, where you can sit & browse for ages without being bothered by anyone.
3. The new big playground in the next park down from Tyrell & Green. Not to mention the Go Rhino trail in the summer.
4. The Mayflower which gets brilliant shows from the West End & has Sarah Millican there on Sunday.
5. The Oxford Brasserie in Oxford Street.

• not wearable or practical.

I'd like to say where I currently live is nice but as most people know, Aldershit has it's nickname for a reason...;)