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?

Honestly I think it has but so has everywhere in the UK

It's so sad to see I have t lived there for several years but on each visit back the decline is clear to see

It's so depressing to witness. I suppose I see it more clearly when it's spasmodic visita

OP, you are so right. Here's Bath today -

So many places exactly the same
Internet shopping plays a big part in this, where for whatever reason we don't buy an item in the shop but online instead.
Paying to park - free/cheaper at shopping centres.

Bath is a beautiful city, it's about 2 hours away from us and I'm sad to read it's not like it used to be, the last time I went was pre covid.

I’ve lived in Bath for 4 years & also work in the city centre. It has really gone downhill. Opposite my office a vault grating fell apart months ago and has had a board stuck over it and people often vomit down our basement windows. I am constantly dodging dog poo and vomit and someone was glassed in the middle of the day outside the sainsburys local where I get the office milk. Loads of people with drink and drug problems wandering the streets arguing and shouting and saw someone being threatened with the police for smoking crack outside supermarket on Sunday at about midday. Lots of closed down shops with homeless camps in the doorways and just generally sad and dirty feel throughout. To be fair it does look much better in the summer when the buildings have a lovely golden glow.
Still things are looking up-Zara is opening soon and will fill 5 shopfronts 😂

I live a few miles from Bath and haven’t been there since Covid. From what my neighbour says (she works there) it’s dirty, shabby and nothing like what it was. She said that she feels intimidated by begging people sitting under cash dispensers and the general ambiance is unpleasant.
I don’t have any inclination to go there when I used to visit every couple of weeks to wander around the shops.

😂🤣😂

Has anyone seen The Last of Us?

That's what Bath looks like these days, only worse.

I agree, Bath is now a crowded, smelly, dirty city. I used to enjoy going there to shop, but over the last couple of years it's become very unpleasant. A shame as it used to be beautiful, especially on sunny days.

Well I live there and whilst it has issues especially on sunny days when tourists flood in- there's way way worse places to live in the UK and personally a few less tourists whilst not good for certain businesses might benefit it. I think much the same can be said of anywhere that attracts lots of tourists- have been to canterbury and York recently- both had similar issues. Im fascinated where people are living in the UK that's of significant size (over 40, 000 (bath has 100,000) that doesn't have some similar issues and is immaculate-

This is literally the UK. Can you name somewhere where High Street has improved in the last five years?

Precisely Londre-