AIBU to Say that Wolverhampton.....

[FluffyGoalXXXDX]

has gone downhill in recent years? I visited for the first time in eight years yesterday and found that the centre was somewhat depressing as there were quite a few empty shops. Where Woollies used to be has not been taken over by another retailer. Mostly boarded over apart from one section being used by Bodycare. Where Wilko, and subsequently Allied Carpets used to be was also empty. Where Argos was; also empty. I just got the feeling that the once vibrant centre is on it's way down. AIBU? I was very fond of Wolvo back in the day.

I live very nearby and it's never been great 😂
But yeah, it's pretty shocking at the moment. I heard that where Argos was is going to be a cinema?

Crikey! It would have to be a fairly small cinema I imagine!

There are some lovely places if you know what you're looking for! The lighthouse independent cinema is lovely, the grand has been refurbished, clockwork escapes is the best escape room I've been to! And nice bars for the evening but I agree for shopping it isn't the best.

Hasn't Wolverhampton opened a new shopping centre?

I've noticed when Birmingham opening the new Bullring, it pulled many of the best shops in there, leading to some of the previously good areas of the city centre to take a hit.

Realistically, a lot of city centres need to accept that all the shops aren't coming back, and find a new use for those properties rather than letting them stay empty for years, and thus dragging down the whole centre.

Rubbish for clothes shopping

@FluffyGoalXXXDX yeah I read something about it being for specific events or something? Not sure.

www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/wolverhampton-entertainment/2020/01/14/artists-impression-reveals-first-look-at-wolverhamptons-wulfrun-centre-planned-independent-cinema/

We went there a few weeks ago and I was shocked how on the drive form the motorway into the centre how dirty it was. Town centre not as bad but the people were friendly and I bought a fab dress

The only previous time I had been there was to a club where a fight broke out, so it's not high in my opinion anyway.

Most people seem to agree that the city centre is dead. Merry Hill and Bentley Bridge are where the shops are. The University is the only thing that keeps the city alive. Mind you, it's only a 10 to 15 minute drive from the centre to the countryside, and the vast majority of schools are good or outstanding.

I dread to think what it's like now then, it was a dump when I went there several years ago.

I haven’t been for ages and I live about two miles away from the actual city centre! I go to Bentley bridge for everything I need or merry hill or Telford! Town has always been a bit of a dump but it has fond memories of been a teenager!!

It’s not helped the “brand new” Debenhams in the Mander Centre has now shut down.

FFS, the people of Wolverhampton deserve better, so many shops closing

I went there on the train once (about 10 years ago), on a Sunday. Everywhere was closed, like Sunday trading didn't exist. Haven't been back since! I did my work experience there and had fond memories, but it wasn't as I remembered.

I am visiting my friend who lives in the city at Easter and wondered if the town centre was any better than other town centres. I remember years ago when I last visited there was a really nice department store. Got a few clothes and some home wares from there.

The rot really took hold when the Council killed the market off - even the elderly stopped going into town, and it's been a decline since.

It's a shame, because I remember the days when I'd come over from Birmingham to shop in Wolverhampton, because the shops were better and all in one area.

It's still ok for studenty nights out, and when the Christmas Market was on it was nice. And I love, love, love the people - best in the world.

@eddiemairswife are they really? I used to work as a Social worker in Wolverhampton and the majority of schools were terrible! Much like the area..

Was it ever "uphill"?

I'd much rather go to Telford or Birmingham tbh.

amijustparanoidorjuststoned Was it ever "uphill"?

Possibly not! I may be looking back at Wolverhampton in the past through rose tinted spectacles. My DH didn't seem to think it was that much worse than when we lived there!

I work in the city. I go there in the morning, do my job and leave. If I need to do shopping I go to merry Hill. Its a shame beacuase there is quite a lot there, the grand, the lighthouse, an art gallery and some lovely bars but it's just so run down with a real lack of decent shops

The shopping centre has been devastated by poor planning and parking costs. I avoid it and travel further away. It has no heart and Bilston has an excellent thriving indoor and outdoor market with free parking.

There are many Outstanding schools and the LA English results are above the national levels. Thomas Telford opens a new school there in 2020?.

So very good for education, resources for the unemployed and sport. Poor for shopping, buses, parking and very poor on maintaining any heritage. Disgusting repeated overspend by Council on lots of projects.