I live in the UK’s ‘best seaside town’ & beg you not to come – it’s a dump, even Nando's windows have been smashed in | The Sun
WORTHING was recently named the UK's best seaside town – but one disgruntled local says it has a horrifying dark side you won't see on picture postcards.
Lifelong Worthing resident Laura Mills, 35, says the once thriving town has become a ‘complete dump’, with bored teens running rampage, stabbings and businesses boarded up.
“People think it’s so amazing, and once upon a time it was,” Laura explains. “But now it’s a different place altogether.
“There’s been a lot of recent stabbings and community unrest, the town is filthy, with shops closed or boarded up.
“Huge luxury department stores such as Bentalls and Debenhams have gone and are now empty hovels.
“They recently opened a new Nando’s and it’s already had the window smashed in. When I walked past the other day, just weeks after opening, there were homeless people sleeping rough outside. Worthing is not this seaside jewel it is meant to be.”
read more fabulous stories
Woman transformed her grubby patio on a budget and it looks like a different space
We live in UK’s ‘most TOXIC village’ – we’re getting sick with mystery illnesses
Laura, who was born and raised there, was shocked when Time Out named the West Sussex borough the Best Seaside Town To Move To In 2023, with the publication praising its ‘affordable, laid-back lifestyle’.
With house prices averaging £370,000, it’s relatively cheap compared to big cities like London. But Laura’s not having it.
“Worthing used to be this Victorian era glam go-to place, and there are a handful of nice houses up on the seafront that look the part, but most have been turned into these soulless flats and it’s lost its charm as a result,” she says. “It’s so grubby and basic now.”
They recently opened a new Nando’s and it’s already had the window smashed in
She also believes Covid has a lot to answer for when it comes to the current state of the town.
Most read in Fabulous
People are realising they've been using fans all wrong – here's how to do it
I transformed my patio slabs on a budget – it's the best £35 I've ever spent
Passengers stunned after spotting 2 major Royals on economy flight to Heathrow
Woman gives dull garden fence a glow up using a bargain buy from The Range
“Since the pandemic, so many businesses have shut down and the tourist trade isn’t booming like it was” she says. “People would much rather go to Brighton.
“The kids in Worthing are so anti-social, too. It’s like they’ve forgotten how to go to school and be disciplined after missing so many lessons during Covid.
“There are all these young kids hanging around, bored out of their minds with nothing to do. There are no opportunities here for them and a lot of them are turning to drugs and crime as a result.”
Even a standard Saturday night out with her partner Jack, a teacher, can leave Laura riddled with anxiety.
“I don’t like leaving my nice coat in cloakrooms,” she says. “They’re full of youngsters with attitudes and I reckon it would be nicked.
“There are a few tap rooms and micro pubs that have opened up, maybe as a means of trying to make it better, but it’s still not a great place to go out.
“There’s a couple of chain restaurants and the pier has been decked out with a new eating area, which in fairness is very nice, but I know no nice cocktail bars for the older people. Everyone has to hang out together, no matter how old you are.”
Change doesn’t happen overnight, but the foundations of a thriving, beautiful town are there and our communities are working together to make sure that Worthing is a welcoming, safe town that works for residents and tourists alike
The Sun contacted Worthing’s Borough Council leader, Cllr Dr Rebecca Cooper, who responded:
“Worthing is a brilliant coastal town with bags of potential.
“Typical of a coastal town, Worthing has its fair share of deprivation and has suffered from under investment over the years. We have the unfortunate combination of being an expensive place to live alongside many low paid jobs, making it difficult for many of our residents to make ends meet.
“Our solution to this is to make sure that we are providing the right housing mix for the town and to work closely with local businesses, FE colleges and green and digital industries to make sure that our young people have the skills they need to secure great jobs in the local area.
Read More on The Sun
Towie rocked by show’s ‘worst ever feud’ that’s left cast more divided than ever
The UK beach that’s been compared to the Maldives with white sand & blue waters
“Worthing has been traditionally known as “God’s Waiting Room” but it turns out that God’s Waiting Room is far more lively than you might think. So many community organisations and local businesses are breathing life into different corners of the town.
“Change doesn’t happen overnight, but the foundations of a thriving, beautiful town are there and our communities are working together to make sure that Worthing is a welcoming, safe town that works for residents and tourists alike.”
Source: Read Full Article