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Sheffield Town Centre What a Dump

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You went for a day out in the worst run down trampy part of town.

 

If you had walked 5 mins up to the peace gardens there are lots of nice restaurants, bars & coffee shops.

 

You only have yourself to blame.

 

I went to that part of the "City Centre) for a reason as my OP said. I have always gone to that part, I did not go for restaurants bars and coffee shops.

 

My post tried to put forward what I saw in that area and post my dissapointment of how it has become a deprived area.

Why should I blame myself to revisit an area of town I grew up with from the late 50's to the early 80's.

All I would ask is why it has happened.

As a 10 year old Saturday was a bus ride to Pond Street then walk up through Fitzallan Squire to Willson and Gumpets (Toy Shop) then on to Woolies then the Market to spend our pocket money.

 

Then at the age of 16 to 18 it was again Pond Street, 1st pint Penny Black then up to the Blue Bell and on to the Stonehouse, maybee the Claymore and the Nelson.If we pulled it would be on to the heartbeat.

All those area's are now no go area's Why?

 

---------- Post added 02-09-2013 at 19:12 ----------

 

Totally agree.

Why choose the worst part of the City Centre to walk around unless done deliberately?

You didn't bother to walk up the hill to Fargate, the peace gardens, Barkers Pool and the Devonshire quarter ?

 

---------- Post added 02-09-2013 at 09:39 ----------

 

 

The hole in the road was just that - a hive of criminality in the 70's and 80's. You wouldn't have dared walk down there during the hours of darkness.

Short memory and rose tinted specs I fear.

 

---------- Post added 02-09-2013 at 09:41 ----------

 

 

:wave:,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

---------- Post added 02-09-2013 at 09:49 ----------

 

Note to mods - why is this thread in the Sheffield History section?:confused:

 

I dont like your comment "unless done deliberatley".

All I did was go back to my home town where I was born in the early 50's, this is a forum where people are free to post their comments, and this was unless changed "Sheffield History & Expats"

I have walked through the hole in the road from when it was built to when it was closed never a problem.

Rose Tinted Specks, well I dont were specks are yours to dark you dont see

Edited by sandie

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If so many, including myself, think councillors are guilty of 'civic vandalism' and shady deals, then we should use our democratic right to attend the public galleries during meetings and make our voices heard. Give it a go as I have and watch their concerned looks when faces different to the usual few attendees show up. They usually back down to strong protest, so take a few with you. " Hey up Tom, we'd better watch our step here, where's this lot come from ? "

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If so many, including myself, think councillors are guilty of 'civic vandalism' and shady deals, then we should use our democratic right to attend the public galleries during meetings and make our voices heard. Give it a go as I have and watch their concerned looks when faces different to the usual few attendees show up. They usually back down to strong protest, so take a few with you. " Hey up Tom, we'd better watch our step here, where's this lot come from ? "

 

They know they only have to stick on a red rosette for the brain dead majority to re-elect them so I don't think they would be too concerned at a protest.

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Hi I came back to Sheffield mid to late August this year to visit the meat and fish market to get what was once the best place for fresh crabs and shellfish.

All most of it has gone, I walked towards wher the Sets was all I could see was street traders outside what was shops very dissapointed as a Sheffielder born and bred.

 

I decided to go for a pint all the local pubs were boarded up around the Castel Market, so I walked towards what was Marpels, what a depressed place the main Post Office Building all boarded up and falling into an eyesore, The iconic Red Telephone Boxes removed the square was Betting Shops and Gold Shops.

 

I finished up at the Penny Black at Pond Street and it was just a changing room for people who were due in court.

 

I parked in the car park under what was the Top Rank and paid £8 for less than 2 hours.

 

I will allways defend my home Town, but it is difficult when I see what it has become.

Maybee I am looking back to the late 60's to the 80's when it was a City to be proud of sadly it is turning into a neglected place.

I doubt I will think again of returning to the City that was the Capital of Yorkshire.

 

Sandie

 

You came all the way from Inverness to visit the markets? really? No crabs and shellfish in Scotland?

 

As for the rest of what you say, can't argue, it's a mess, and by not nipping it in the bud years ago, the problem snowballs until it is too big to fix.

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Where did I say it was any different .......I didn`t and yes I remember Sheffield when it was dark and dirty and smog filled nights so thick it was very hard to see in front of you .I also remember the clean air act coming into force and everything seemed bright .Sheffield have a good buzz about it and I`m not looking at it through rose coloured glasses either .

 

I remember the long hot summers that never seemed to end ,the walks up fargate to the peace gardens the hussel and bussel of the markets YES I remember what Sheffield was like .....and NO I`d never return to the sqaller it is now ......Yes they may have large office blocks but the heart has gone out of the city no longer a community as it was ........... So you can say I do know a little about it ............x

 

You didn't - I did. It was a statement and my opinion which I am within my rights to voice on a forum.

Regards

 

---------- Post added 03-09-2013 at 17:16 ----------

 

I went to that part of the "City Centre) for a reason as my OP said. I have always gone to that part, I did not go for restaurants bars and coffee shops.

 

My post tried to put forward what I saw in that area and post my dissapointment of how it has become a deprived area.

Why should I blame myself to revisit an area of town I grew up with from the late 50's to the early 80's.

All I would ask is why it has happened.

As a 10 year old Saturday was a bus ride to Pond Street then walk up through Fitzallan Squire to Willson and Gumpets (Toy Shop) then on to Woolies then the Market to spend our pocket money.

 

Then at the age of 16 to 18 it was again Pond Street, 1st pint Penny Black then up to the Blue Bell and on to the Stonehouse, maybee the Claymore and the Nelson.If we pulled it would be on to the heartbeat.

All those area's are now no go area's Why?

 

---------- Post added 02-09-2013 at 19:12 ----------

 

 

I dont like your comment "unless done deliberatley".

All I did was go back to my home town where I was born in the early 50's, this is a forum where people are free to post their comments, and this was unless changed "Sheffield History & Expats"

I have walked through the hole in the road from when it was built to when it was closed never a problem.

Rose Tinted Specks, well I dont were specks are yours to dark you dont see

 

Is no one allowed to have an opinion that differs from yours ?

I don't like your comment about dark specs since I am partially sighted but, unlike you, I won't take offence.

Regards.

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You came all the way from Inverness to visit the markets? really? No crabs and shellfish in Scotland?

 

As for the rest of what you say, can't argue, it's a mess, and by not nipping it in the bud years ago, the problem snowballs until it is too big to fix.

 

You might not beleive this it is very difficult to find fresh boiled crabs. cockels and general shellfish in this area, most of it is for export.

 

And yes once or twice a year I go to Leeds or Brid and whitby for crabs and this time I went to Sheffield Fish Market, sadly my visit resulted in my post.

 

My home town has changed and while all my familly worked in the Steel, Mining and Engineering sectors and I was proud of my home town, but now it is a dump and that is not a good feeling.

 

Sorry if I have offended people, but that is how I feel

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well said sandy I agree

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You might not beleive this it is very difficult to find fresh boiled crabs. cockels and general shellfish in this area, most of it is for export.

 

And yes once or twice a year I go to Leeds or Brid and whitby for crabs and this time I went to Sheffield Fish Market, sadly my visit resulted in my post.

 

My home town has changed and while all my familly worked in the Steel, Mining and Engineering sectors and I was proud of my home town, but now it is a dump and that is not a good feeling.

 

Sorry if I have offended people, but that is how I feel

 

Sandie.

I don't think that your views or feelings are misplaced at all .

Not only we Expats but also many people who still live in Sheffield express the same or similar sentiments . Not are they comments of denigration or disgust but ones of despair of how such a once proud city has been brought to such a demise .

As I have said before , It is neither the fault of the people of Sheffield nor that of the city council , for both would - I am sure - would dearly love to see the prosperity which once adorned the city . Unfortunately , the demise has been brought about by forces far beyond their control .

Sheffield , with the grit and fight of its people , will I am sure rise like the phoenix from the ashes as it has done on so many occasions in the past ; despite ,or in spite of those who feel that every thing is " O K" .

It might be worth re-phrasing the " Dump" analogy , and see it in the light of a

" minor set back " , which they will inevitably recover from .

 

---------- Post added 07-09-2013 at 18:21 ----------

 

Hi I came back to Sheffield mid to late August this year to visit the meat and fish market to get what was once the best place for fresh crabs and shellfish.

All most of it has gone, I walked towards wher the Sets was all I could see was street traders outside what was shops very dissapointed as a Sheffielder born and bred.

 

I decided to go for a pint all the local pubs were boarded up around the Castel Market, so I walked towards what was Marpels, what a depressed place the main Post Office Building all boarded up and falling into an eyesore, The iconic Red Telephone Boxes removed the square was Betting Shops and Gold Shops.

 

I finished up at the Penny Black at Pond Street and it was just a changing room for people who were due in court.

 

I parked in the car park under what was the Top Rank and paid £8 for less than 2 hours.

 

I will allways defend my home Town, but it is difficult when I see what it has become.

Maybee I am looking back to the late 60's to the 80's when it was a City to be proud of sadly it is turning into a neglected place.

I doubt I will think again of returning to the City that was the Capital of Yorkshire.

 

Sandie

 

Sandie.

Sadly I missed the final part of your comments . Much as I agree with most of your sentiment about the the state of the city centre , I feel that I must distance myself from ever seeing Sheffield as the capital of South Yorkshire let alone Yorkshire , Sheffield has never regarded itself as such - despite its eminency within the county . One can only understand your total disappointment at its present state , having exalted it to such a high position .

 

---------- Post added 07-09-2013 at 19:15 ----------

 

Yes, it seems the City Council are very good at getting it all so wrong. Good at wasting our money,good at bunking up parking prices,good at building Sports Arenas they can't afford to maintain,good at screwing us for money while cutting services,and then directing all the local trade out of town and up to Meadowhall. Yes they are very good at "ideas"....sadly all they have done is ruined a City that was once full of life and turned it into a place that's had the heart ripped out of it. Such a damn shame...and even bigger shame on the so called "town planners" who have done more damage to Sheffield than the War ever did !

 

Much as you are entitled to your opinion , singular though it is , I think that your city council has done more than its best . It brought the city from a decimated wreck of a place at the end of the war . It placed it high in the esteem of any city . One that any person could be proud , be it housing, education,social services , transport , planning and its own health and welfare . Gradually those services have been eroded by the interference of a central government far removed from the least idea or concept of local democracy. Yes , and that includes labour , conservative and this poor excuse for a " democratically elected coalition " government .

You would be well served to examine the facts before expounding your own misguided views .

I wouldn't mind betting that you are one of those people who abrogates their responsibility and dosn't vote , but stands on the side line criticising and condemning everyone and anything with a view which differs from that of your own .

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I feel the demise of industry in and around Sheffield bought about by Thatcher, has had much to do with Sheffields down fall as a whole not just the city centre. Remember if Thatcher hadn't demolished the steel industry Meadow hall would not have been built, mainly because there would have been a steel works in the way. Cities like Leeds for instance are built on other industries

from wiki ©

Leeds developed into a major industrial centre; wool was the dominant industry but flax, engineering, iron foundries, printing, and other industries were important.

so were able to ride the storm better and move on

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I feel the demise of industry in and around Sheffield bought about by Thatcher, has had much to do with Sheffields down fall as a whole not just the city centre. Remember if Thatcher hadn't demolished the steel industry Meadow hall would not have been built, mainly because there would have been a steel works in the way. Cities like Leeds for instance are built on other industries

from wiki ©

Leeds developed into a major industrial centre; wool was the dominant industry but flax, engineering, iron foundries, printing, and other industries were important.

so were able to ride the storm better and move on

 

Couldn't agree more .Succinct and to the point . Well put.

 

---------- Post added 08-09-2013 at 16:10 ----------

 

If so many, including myself, think councillors are guilty of 'civic vandalism' and shady deals, then we should use our democratic right to attend the public galleries during meetings and make our voices heard. Give it a go as I have and watch their concerned looks when faces different to the usual few attendees show up. They usually back down to strong protest, so take a few with you. " Hey up Tom, we'd better watch our step here, where's this lot come from ? "

 

If you are right and the council do listen to your protest at the council meeting , then I would suggest that true democracy is in progress . However, do you not think that electorally the city as a whole have the right to have their business conducted unhindered .

If you do have a grievance with their policy then you have a course of action open to you which would afford you much more credence and respect - that is by the ballot box .

If you are genuine in your point of protestation and , the majority agree with you , then you should win your day . However , if the majority do not agree with you then I would suggest that it is you that is wrong .

I would respectfully point out that the people of Sheffield have been consistent in their choice since 1936 - with a couple of minor blips - on both occasions to make their protestations via the democratic process - and have seen fit to return to their preferred council majority . That is true democracy at work and , puts the people of Sheffield and its city council way above any other claim by any other city anywhere .

I think that you are totally unjust in your claims and suggestions.

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So then, protests in between elections have never changed anything and should be dissuaded are you saying? And do you consider the low percentage voter turn out to be a measure of a healthy democracy when the actual majority choose not to vote ? I guarantee that few you ask will know who is their MP or local councillor these days, and it's not entirely voter apathy, more a realization that they don't trust any politicians anymore.You seem to be talking about true socialists like Bevan, Helen Wilkinson and their contemporaries who were of the people and for the people and Sheffield was extremely well served by that generation of poorly funded politicians. Not for them the retirement from politics to plum jobs with top, capitalist international corporations and Bliar's compounding millions pouring in. Get your dictionary out and look up the meaning of Socialism. New Labour has destroyed Labour.

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So then, protests in between elections have never changed anything and should be dissuaded are you saying? And do you consider the low percentage voter turn out to be a measure of a healthy democracy when the actual majority choose not to vote ? I guarantee that few you ask will know who is their MP or local councillor these days, and it's not entirely voter apathy, more a realization that they don't trust any politicians anymore.You seem to be talking about true socialists like Bevan, Helen Wilkinson and their contemporaries who were of the people and for the people and Sheffield was extremely well served by that generation of poorly funded politicians. Not for them the retirement from politics to plum jobs with top, capitalist international corporations and Bliar's compounding millions pouring in. Get your dictionary out and look up the meaning of Socialism. New Labour has destroyed Labour.

 

The Labour party are responsible for the state of the city. They were in power when they decided to confront Thatcher and therefore distanced themselves from any meaningful funding to repair the damage done by necessary de industrialization. They have been in power for most of the time the city has been in decline.

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