Bath - gone downhill?

[SecretPeston]

Today was the second time recently I've had to go into Bath city centre. Prior to this, my last visits were just before the pandemic started.

I couldn't help but notice on my visit today and recently that what I remember as a clean and pleasant place to visit and shop, has really gone downhill. There was litter all around the shopping streets, it was really crowded, and a lot of shops and cafes/restaurants had closed down. That said, a lot of the cafes/restaurants looked very busy and some were queuing out of the door.

The first few times I visited Bath in 2017-2018 I remember I loved it and enjoyed my time there.

Overall today and recently it looked quite scruffy, and sad, and I couldn't wait to leave. Quite a shame.

What has happened to Bath?

Probably the same thing that's happened to most cities and towns - Covid, brexit and a recession.

Covid.

I found the same for Tunbridge Wells. I think some of the wealthier towns are suffering most obviously. We just don't need that much retail

The decline was there prior to Covid.

Many of the small independents were forced out by high rents and business rents even before Covid was a thing. The opening of the new shopping centre at Southgate had a detrimental effect on the top of Milsom St and Jolly's (formerly owned by HoF) which was the main draw up there has been utterly eviscerated. It's a sad shadow of its former self.

Covid then saw off some of the big chains although some had already started to pull out before then. There is nothing to take their place now other than the cafes etc for the visitors.

The whole thing has been worsened further by the closure of so many offices thanks to WFH (or employers retreating to Bristol) so the lunchtime "office worker" market has largely gone too. I worked for many years in central Bath but all my business contacts are now based elsewhere.

Tourists

Yes, there were LOTS of tourists there today. I was surprised as I thought this time of year wouldn't be very touristy in Bath, but I was wrong.

The Tories have tanked the economy with austerity, Brexit and the disastrous Truss/Kwarteng budget. Covid has added to the decline.

Ten years ago, the UK economy was comparable with northern Europe (though not as strong as Germany or the Nordic countries.) Now we're more like Italy.

Bath remains a rich city. (We were there in the spring). If you want to see real decline, come and look at some northern or midland High Streets.

It was so sad to see litter everywhere. I don't remember Bath being like this pre Covid.

It's been blowing a gale for the last few days, which probably accounts for a lot of the litter. I can't say I've noticed that much litter around when I've been in town, but I haven't been in this week.

We went over the summer and it was absolutely rammed - we struggled to book places to eat and even just trying to get a drink in a cafe was a nightmare it was so busy.

Maybe it’s over familiarity from living near by, but I’ve never been much of a fan - though I would say since they’ve revamped the centre I can see why people like going.

God I thought you meant you had your freestanding bath tub on a trolley or something (moving house?) and it buggered off down the hill Genuinely

🛁

I was there in March and October of last year, one alone and the other with family and we had a great time and didn’t seem scruffy to us. It was lovely weather and we spent most of it outside wandering around and I enjoyed visiting the lovely shops.

I live about 20 minutes away. It's never been pleasant in January, but a lot of the mid-range (as in not Primark/H&M) fashion retailers are struggling and there are loads in Bath, along the lines of Reiss, Whistles, The Kooples, Russell and Bromley, White Stuff. I used to work for a retailer who had a shop on Milsom St and footfall died off about 10 years ago.

I don't think it's fared any worse than other touristy towns around here, like Salisbury and Marlborough.

Yes indeed.

I sometimes have cause to visit Huddersfield for work, and I've been shocked at its decline in the last few years. All the nicer shops - places like M&S or Patisserie Valerie - have closed down. It's just so depressing now.

What has happened to Bath?
Tory government.

I’m from Bath, born and bred but moved to Wales almost 10 years ago. I very rarely go down town when I come back every other weekend.

I agree with the PP who mentioned the high rates of rent for shops. My mum worked for The Disney Store for over 20 years in Bath and they shut up shop after the rent prices increased. I thought if Disney can’t afford to pay the rent increase (or more than likely don’t want to), what chance do other shops have.

The parking has become awful too with Avon Street multi story being demolished, which I think puts locals off.

Just my humble opinion on it all.

Tourists and students have been propping up the city for the last 30 years.

Always been the Georgian council estate.

Ah poor Bath.
We went for a couple of nights in Oct and had a lovely relaxing time in a gorgeous hotel. Teens enjoyed the shopping and we had one really nice meal out. It was a sunny weekend and the city looked lovely. We will be back!

Everywhere looks pants this time of year. I love Bath and always have a fine time (DD at the uni lucky thing).

@NoNewsIsGoodNews would you mind telling me the name of the hotel you stayed in please? 🙂

It was looking v smart when I was there in September. I have thought that Bristol has gone downhill since the pandemic though.

The cost of parking doesn't help either. It's twice the cost in the Southgate underground car park, compared with the Galleries in Bristol, for a short stay.
Both lose out to the Mall at Cribbs Causeway where parking is free.