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Post by questionable on Aug 25, 2020 13:35:39 GMT
In truth you wouldn’t live in the the likes of Stoke, Hanley, Burslem,Tunstall, Longton town centres as the areas are pretty grim and severely depressing to put it mildly. I’m sure residents from all over the country could say things about areas close to where they live. We often, well did visit Birmingham/London frequently but step outside by a mile or so and as above really.
For the money you are prepared to spend 180k ?? If you do your homework and wait for the expected property crash you’ll get a super property in a nice area without doubt. Plenty of nice areas about without a doubt and nice people.
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Post by westlandstokie on Aug 25, 2020 13:42:26 GMT
What a depressing topic this is....however I agree with almost everything you guys have said. Stoke on Trent is on its arse at present and I don't see it getting better any time soon.I encourage both my kids 25 and almost 18 to move to a nicer area which I feel they may do.I was born and raised on Scotia Road in Burslem so I'm a Stoke lad through and through but when I downsize my house I'm looking to move out towards the Congleton area...mostly quite nice and closer to Manchester (which is where my 25 year old and his girlfriend and mates go to for a decent day/night out) We have friends who live in Nottingham and we have a weekend there every three months or so...it's like a different world....very clean and dozens of lovely restaurants and pubs and never a hint of any trouble
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Post by tonythefox on Aug 25, 2020 14:03:23 GMT
Yep a distinct town centre would be good I would personally make that town centre Stoke itself to save the confusion, a merger with N U L would be beneficial for all too .. NUL is at least trying to progress. Stoke looks like a working museum from the blitz. No thanks. [N U L is similar to stoke, rough and the smooth, there’s some fantastic people there as there is in Stoke , I was thinking if we merged there would be more investment as we would attract more investment if we were a bigger city, After all “ United strength is stronger “ ( now where have I heard that before) 🤔
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Post by bucknall67 on Aug 25, 2020 14:34:46 GMT
I was saying something along the same lines the other day to the wife. We need a council that is forward thinking and ready to get some investment into the city. Unfortunately we don't appear to have that council and haven't for many years. I'd be interested in how many on here vote in council elections, and whether they've noticed a difference from Labour domination through the BNP horror show to the Tory/Independent control now. I suspect the size of the task is beyond ANY council or political party, so they end up tinkering around the edges to look busy. I'm solidly Labour, but not sure of any achievements from their years in power locally? I vote in every election both local and national. Though I certainly know that a lot of people I work with don't. Especially the females.
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Post by spiderpuss on Aug 25, 2020 15:01:49 GMT
NUL is at least trying to progress. Stoke looks like a working museum from the blitz. No thanks. Are you sure about that? There's great swathes of crumbling land where the old Sainsbury's was demolished, the old council offices and Police station are still boarded up, there's a half finished new development next to Jubilee Baths that's been stuck in a state of arrested development for nearly 2 years, and there's been a noted increase of anti-social behaviour perpetrated by drug-addled scumbags on the Iron Market/Sunken Roundabout. It might look a bit better aesthetically but the same problems are there. It benefits from being more contained. But it definitely has it's problems, the number of closed shops and failed bars is quite noticeable. The bar across from what is now Iron Monkey has been shut for many years. Can't the council think of something to do with this place, something anything? Perhaps a training centre where young people make things and then sell them? The council moving Sainsbury's looks like a rank bad idea right now. And don't get me started on closed police stations, we were in a bar (NUL) recently where there had a been a fight. The Police were called.... 1/2 an hour later they showed up. I mean come on guys, that's worthless. We're effectively policing ourselves these days.
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Post by mrcoke on Aug 25, 2020 15:09:53 GMT
NUL is at least trying to progress. Stoke looks like a working museum from the blitz. No thanks. [N U L is similar to stoke, rough and the smooth, there’s some fantastic people there as there is in Stoke , I was thinking if we merged there would be more investment as we would attract more investment if we were a bigger city, After all “ United strength is stronger “ ( now where have I heard that before) 🤔 If NUL and SOT were to combine what would you call it?
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Aug 25, 2020 15:20:44 GMT
[N U L is similar to stoke, rough and the smooth, there’s some fantastic people there as there is in Stoke , I was thinking if we merged there would be more investment as we would attract more investment if we were a bigger city, After all “ United strength is stronger “ ( now where have I heard that before) 🤔 If NUL and SOT were to combine what would you call it? Zombie land
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Post by tonythefox on Aug 25, 2020 15:39:39 GMT
[N U L is similar to stoke, rough and the smooth, there’s some fantastic people there as there is in Stoke , I was thinking if we merged there would be more investment as we would attract more investment if we were a bigger city, After all “ United strength is stronger “ ( now where have I heard that before) 🤔 If NUL and SOT were to combine what would you call it? I was thinking that too mr coke, I’d go with Stoke on Trent 😉
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Post by muggleton on Aug 25, 2020 17:01:33 GMT
I started posting on here as I'm (still) looking to buy a house in Stoke, and have had some great local advice from posters. The reason for this thread is that I've been staying in the area recently and have seen a bit too much grimness for my liking, and am genuinely worried about the place. Hanley is well known as a dump, but it never really bothered me on previous vists. Walking through there on Saturday afternoon though it seemed to have deteriorated badly over lockdown. . So the question is, how do you see Stoke faring over the next decade or so - will it be a better or worse place to live, or stay about the same? I'd be particularly interested in the rationale for either view as being an outsider looking in I'm only basing my opinion on what I see, and don't know the future plans for the place. You moaned about about the price of breakfast and granary toast at a place where they are trying to make Hanley a bit different 🙂 Piccadilly is a glimmer of light in the darkness and it was good to see what looked like all the businesses (plus a few more it seemed) surviving lockdown. £11.50 is too steep for me for breakfast in Hanley, and Granary toast is unacceptable on a fry up under any circumstances. So I'll not be in that place, which is no great loss to them, but there's a wider point that if there was a vibrant local bar and cafe scene there'd be enough of these places to suit my taste as well as yours. I suspect it'd also nudge the price of their fry down a bit too.
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Post by muggleton on Aug 25, 2020 17:07:54 GMT
I left in 84 but plan on spending summers there when I retire in 2030. There's a lot to like if you are retired and can afford to live outside of the 6 towns. Wonderful countryside, affordable golf, proximity to MAN, friendly locals (for the most part) and very affordable property. Talk to be about affordable local golf mate. We're spoilt in Ireland with the quality and price of golf courses, and I've found the local ones I've played pleasant enough but not particularly memorable. Any you'd recommend?
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Post by muggleton on Aug 25, 2020 17:09:34 GMT
NUL is at least trying to progress. Stoke looks like a working museum from the blitz. No thanks. Are you sure about that? There's great swathes of crumbling land where the old Sainsbury's was demolished, the old council offices and Police station are still boarded up, there's a half finished new development next to Jubilee Baths that's been stuck in a state of arrested development for nearly 2 years, and there's been a noted increase of anti-social behaviour perpetrated by drug-addled scumbags on the Iron Market/Sunken Roundabout. It might look a bit better aesthetically but the same problems are there. Only been to NUL for drinking and its been decent enough for that, albeit a 7th underwhelming town centre to add to the rest.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2020 20:04:45 GMT
You moaned about about the price of breakfast and granary toast at a place where they are trying to make Hanley a bit different 🙂 Piccadilly is a glimmer of light in the darkness and it was good to see what looked like all the businesses (plus a few more it seemed) surviving lockdown. £11.50 is too steep for me for breakfast in Hanley, and Granary toast is unacceptable on a fry up under any circumstances. So I'll not be in that place, which is no great loss to them, but there's a wider point that if there was a vibrant local bar and cafe scene there'd be enough of these places to suit my taste as well as yours. I suspect it'd also nudge the price of their fry down a bit too. I’d say them and the other business owners are doing a fine job of creating a vibrant local bar and cafe scene. The whole street is a bit more expensive, it keeps the riff raff out, which is what I think you’re after?
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Post by neworleanstokie on Aug 25, 2020 20:06:04 GMT
I left in 84 but plan on spending summers there when I retire in 2030. There's a lot to like if you are retired and can afford to live outside of the 6 towns. Wonderful countryside, affordable golf, proximity to MAN, friendly locals (for the most part) and very affordable property. Talk to be about affordable local golf mate. We're spoilt in Ireland with the quality and price of golf courses, and I've found the local ones I've played pleasant enough but not particularly memorable. Any you'd recommend? I'm very much a novice - I'm attempting to learn in preparation for retirement! I've only played Trentham Park and Barlaston on trips home. The annual fee is very reasonable compared to the US. Here in the US I'm paying anywhere from $75-$150 a round including cart but I've only played in GA (Jekyll Island near Sea Island) and ME (Samoset) which is really nice. I looked into playing Pebble Beach which is you can now actually book - starts at $600 a round!
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Post by muggleton on Aug 25, 2020 22:34:41 GMT
Piccadilly is a glimmer of light in the darkness and it was good to see what looked like all the businesses (plus a few more it seemed) surviving lockdown. £11.50 is too steep for me for breakfast in Hanley, and Granary toast is unacceptable on a fry up under any circumstances. So I'll not be in that place, which is no great loss to them, but there's a wider point that if there was a vibrant local bar and cafe scene there'd be enough of these places to suit my taste as well as yours. I suspect it'd also nudge the price of their fry down a bit too. I’d say them and the other business owners are doing a fine job of creating a vibrant local bar and cafe scene. The whole street is a bit more expensive, it keeps the riff raff out, which is what I think you’re after? No, there's a bit more to it than that. Piccadilly has the makings of a good spot but I've never seen it particularly busy, and the majority of the venues haven't really established themselves yet. The one whose breakfast I don't fancy has apologetically rebranded itself for starters, which shows that whatever they were doing previously wasn't working. Anyway I wish them well, and doubt they'll take me going elsewhere personally. Somewhere with a more vibrant scene would have a string of alternatives that would trip off the tongue, but we seem to be stuck with this one place that isn't for me. I've been in Klay, the Quarter, Bottle Craft, The Corner and The Unicorn down that way so am doing my bit for the local economy, and if the other place sorts out its granary toast situation I'll give them a turn too.
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Post by muggleton on Aug 25, 2020 22:38:35 GMT
Talk to be about affordable local golf mate. We're spoilt in Ireland with the quality and price of golf courses, and I've found the local ones I've played pleasant enough but not particularly memorable. Any you'd recommend? I'm very much a novice - I'm attempting to learn in preparation for retirement! I've only played Trentham Park and Barlaston on trips home. The annual fee is very reasonable compared to the US. Here in the US I'm paying anywhere from $75-$150 a round including cart but I've only played in GA (Jekyll Island near Sea Island) and ME (Samoset) which is really nice. I looked into playing Pebble Beach which is you can now actually book - starts at $600 a round! Fair enough, the prices will definitely feel cheap compared to US. Im surrounded by phenomenal courses at home, and the better ones pump their prices up for the US tourist market, but keep deals available for the locals. Have played half a dozen or so courses in N Staffs (incl Barlaston which was decent value and very friendly), so was looking at tips for any more.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Aug 25, 2020 22:42:02 GMT
I’d say them and the other business owners are doing a fine job of creating a vibrant local bar and cafe scene. The whole street is a bit more expensive, it keeps the riff raff out, which is what I think you’re after? No, there's a bit more to it than that. Piccadilly has the makings of a good spot but I've never seen it particularly busy, and the majority of the venues haven't really established themselves yet. The one whose breakfast I don't fancy has apologetically rebranded itself for starters, which shows that whatever they were doing previously wasn't working. Anyway I wish them well, and doubt they'll take me going elsewhere personally. Somewhere with a more vibrant scene would have a string of alternatives that would trip off the tongue, but we seem to be stuck with this one place that isn't for me. I've been in Klay, the Quarter, Bottle Craft, The Corner and The Unicorn down that way so am doing my bit for the local economy, and if the other place sorts out its granary toast situation I'll give them a turn too. Piccadilly is kind of half way there but has been for a while and seems a little contented with where it’s at. It isn’t enough, it needs a big push and who knows it might grow into nearby streets off the back of it. I just feel it’s not being made the most of. The better that small section gets, the more likely the feel good factor can spread.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Aug 25, 2020 22:46:33 GMT
I'm very much a novice - I'm attempting to learn in preparation for retirement! I've only played Trentham Park and Barlaston on trips home. The annual fee is very reasonable compared to the US. Here in the US I'm paying anywhere from $75-$150 a round including cart but I've only played in GA (Jekyll Island near Sea Island) and ME (Samoset) which is really nice. I looked into playing Pebble Beach which is you can now actually book - starts at $600 a round! Fair enough, the prices will definitely feel cheap compared to US. Im surrounded by phenomenal courses at home, and the better ones pump their prices up for the US tourist market, but keep deals available for the locals. Have played half a dozen or so courses in N Staffs (incl Barlaston which was decent value and very friendly), so was looking at tips for any more. Been Wolstanton Golf Club? Very nice
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Post by muggleton on Aug 25, 2020 23:05:27 GMT
Fair enough, the prices will definitely feel cheap compared to US. Im surrounded by phenomenal courses at home, and the better ones pump their prices up for the US tourist market, but keep deals available for the locals. Have played half a dozen or so courses in N Staffs (incl Barlaston which was decent value and very friendly), so was looking at tips for any more. Been Wolstanton Golf Club? Very nice Not yet mate. Have played Barlaston, Uttoxeter, both Leek courses, Greenway Hall and Onnely (sp?!). All have been decent enough value for money, but I'm just spoilt with the quality of courses I can play cheaply in NI. Will have a look at Wolstanton for next time (which'll be next year by the time it dries out 😁)
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Post by elystokie on Aug 26, 2020 6:50:42 GMT
Harleys in the town centre do a reasonable breakfast at a decent price and I quite like all the memoribilia they have in there, from what I've read so far tho muggleton I don't think anything or anywhere is going to live up to your standards, I think in your shoes I'd look for somewhere else to live.
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Post by flea79 on Aug 26, 2020 8:33:56 GMT
Been Wolstanton Golf Club? Very nice Not yet mate. Have played Barlaston, Uttoxeter, both Leek courses, Greenway Hall and Onnely (sp?!). All have been decent enough value for money, but I'm just spoilt with the quality of courses I can play cheaply in NI. Will have a look at Wolstanton for next time (which'll be next year by the time it dries out 😁) Malkins Bank just outside of Sandbach (south cheshire) is a great course, was the council municipal course but got taken on by Woosnam and his academy and it has been massively improved although taking the tree out of the par 3 5th hole was a big mistake, the shortest hole ever but with this chuffing tree in the way, proper technical hole, i managed the perfect shot on it once, made my round that
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Post by muggleton on Aug 26, 2020 11:37:09 GMT
Harleys in the town centre do a reasonable breakfast at a decent price and I quite like all the memoribilia they have in there, from what I've read so far tho muggleton I don't think anything or anywhere is going to live up to your standards, I think in your shoes I'd look for somewhere else to live. Have been in Harleys before and it was decent enough. Walked past it on Saturday and it was boarded up. I also listed half a dozen places in that area I've used and will use again. Some folk are oddly touchy about a town centre they don't tend to set foot in themselves.
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Post by muggleton on Aug 26, 2020 11:38:17 GMT
Not yet mate. Have played Barlaston, Uttoxeter, both Leek courses, Greenway Hall and Onnely (sp?!). All have been decent enough value for money, but I'm just spoilt with the quality of courses I can play cheaply in NI. Will have a look at Wolstanton for next time (which'll be next year by the time it dries out 😁) Malkins Bank just outside of Sandbach (south cheshire) is a great course, was the council municipal course but got taken on by Woosnam and his academy and it has been massively improved although taking the tree out of the par 3 5th hole was a big mistake, the shortest hole ever but with this chuffing tree in the way, proper technical hole, i managed the perfect shot on it once, made my round that Cheers, will have a look at that. Don't see the clubs coming out til the spring with this weather, but will be ready for a game by then.
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Post by elystokie on Aug 26, 2020 13:00:12 GMT
Harleys in the town centre do a reasonable breakfast at a decent price and I quite like all the memoribilia they have in there, from what I've read so far tho muggleton I don't think anything or anywhere is going to live up to your standards, I think in your shoes I'd look for somewhere else to live. Have been in Harleys before and it was decent enough. Walked past it on Saturday and it was boarded up. I also listed half a dozen places in that area I've used and will use again. Some folk are oddly touchy about a town centre they don't tend to set foot in themselves. I'd imagine a lot of town centres are similar at this moment in time, very quiet, the Radio Stoke presenter commented on it this morning, from their position they can see the town centre. I quite like Hanley, probably go every couple of weeks, bits of it are shit but I'd expect that pretty much anywhere, particularly at the moment and the Festival Park retail site has done it no favours. I must have misunderstood your impressions of the area, I got the feeling you were looking for something that's not here, like the French Riviera but for Caracas prices, I'll mind my own business
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Post by rickyfullerbeer on Aug 26, 2020 13:43:27 GMT
The council appear to be some wierd semi business entity in stoke and not some place you go and pay bills now and again. Their major plan seems to be moving council offices now and again and fucking up investment projects like city sentral or whatever it was meant to be which turned out to be a cinema and a fucking nandos. Down the road from a cinema and a fucking nandos. I was looking at spode the other day and thinking if it could be bought turned into seething decent like old cains brewery in Liverpool. But then what would be the point as there no money in stoke Town centre and on sunny days it looks like some spice/zombie appocolypse.... So 6 towns, incompetent council, lack of ideas, obvious lack of policing, lack of investment as lack of disposable income. So back to the original point move to the best place you can for the money you have. Go Hanley once a year at Xmas and swear to never go again, go the town centre on match days and go brum, Liverpool or Manchester if you want to do something/eat/shop. Yet I've moved away a few times and always end up oddly missing it and coming back. The Cains Brewery site is great, but don't see it transferring to Stoke unfortunately. Piccadilly looks the best bet for anyone local into that kind of thing. Piccadilly is a nice area. They now need to expand out, street by street as the rest of the city centre is a dump, minus the 'new' area up by the shopping centre/cinema. They also need to build a green space around the area where the old bus station was to at least attract people closer to the centre, and more likely to spend time and money in Hanley. The rest of the Towns should become high streets as there's nowhere near the revenue required to be sustainable as individual towns. Ultimately the social mobility within the city is minimal and it's not positioned to attract people from outside of the city in.
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Post by thevoid on Aug 26, 2020 14:52:00 GMT
For all the hype over Piccadilly, Mart's Brewhouse closed before Covid. In the right town, it would have thrived. Considering it's the city centre, I can think of only one 'on trend' craft beer/bottle bar in Hanley, Bottle Craft- Newcastle and Hartshill have loads. Even Burslem has a few (John's Micropub, Bursley and Hog Noggins). I know The Coachmakers gets a lot of love but let's be honest, it's a bloody dump. And Piccadilly isn't varied enough to sustain a full night out- it's okay to pass through in the day/after work.
Let's be honest, your Average Joe up Hanley just wants cheap Carling or Strongbow and the pubs reflect that.
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Post by muggleton on Aug 26, 2020 15:36:58 GMT
The Cains Brewery site is great, but don't see it transferring to Stoke unfortunately. Piccadilly looks the best bet for anyone local into that kind of thing. Piccadilly is a nice area. They now need to expand out, street by street as the rest of the city centre is a dump, minus the 'new' area up by the shopping centre/cinema. They also need to build a green space around the area where the old bus station was to at least attract people closer to the centre, and more likely to spend time and money in Hanley. The rest of the Towns should become high streets as there's nowhere near the revenue required to be sustainable as individual towns. Ultimately the social mobility within the city is minimal and it's not positioned to attract people from outside of the city in. Agreed, though I think Piccadilly will do well to consolidate what it has in the short term before expanding. A bad winter of lockdown and/or continued social distancing would make it hard for what it has to survive. Last Saturday had loads of folk sitting on tables in street, which was great to see, but those venues will struggle to turn a socially distanced profit when we're stuck inside. A coherent strategy that ties in plans for all the town centres is needed, but suspect vested interests in each mean this is a non starter. Councillors in the other 5 towns won't support their patch being downgraded on favour of the development of a genuine city centre. So we're left with the current (barely) managed decline. The lack of attraction to people from outside has fuelled an insularity that's rare in a place with such a big population. I get asked what I'm doing here regularly when my accent is heard in pubs. Invariably out of friendly curiosity, but an unfamiliar accent shouldn't be that remarkable in a place this size. Anyone know what % of students from outside who study locally stay on in the area? Suspect it's pretty small, based on the state of the local jobs market.
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Post by iancransonsknees on Aug 26, 2020 15:43:51 GMT
For all the hype over Piccadilly, Mart's Brewhouse closed before Covid. In the right town, it would have thrived. Considering it's the city centre, I can think of only one 'on trend' craft beer/bottle bar in Hanley, Bottle Craft- Newcastle and Hartshill have loads. Even Burslem has a few (John's Micropub, Bursley and Hog Noggins). I know The Coachmakers gets a lot of love but let's be honest, it's a bloody dump. And Piccadilly isn't varied enough to sustain a full night out- it's okay to pass through in the day/after work. Let's be honest, your Average Joe up Hanley just wants cheap Carling or Strongbow and the pubs reflect that. Bang on the money and exactly why Fortior's new apartments will struggle at the clayworks. They were supposed to be a midweek base for the executive class of Stoke, zoom and home working has shat all over the need for that.
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Post by muggleton on Aug 26, 2020 15:45:27 GMT
For all the hype over Piccadilly, Mart's Brewhouse closed before Covid. In the right town, it would have thrived. Considering it's the city centre, I can think of only one 'on trend' craft beer/bottle bar in Hanley, Bottle Craft- Newcastle and Hartshill have loads. Even Burslem has a few (John's Micropub, Bursley and Hog Noggins). I know The Coachmakers gets a lot of love but let's be honest, it's a bloody dump. And Piccadilly isn't varied enough to sustain a full night out- it's okay to pass through in the day/after work. Let's be honest, your Average Joe up Hanley just wants cheap Carling or Strongbow and the pubs reflect that. Pretty much my thoughts on it. Piccadilly's heart's in the right place and deserves support, but it's a good bit away from being a destination in its own right. And the dearth of decent pubs in Hanley is both a scandal and symptomatic of the fact there mustn't be enough of a market for them. Been in The Coachmakers and like the place, but can see how that trip to the toilets isn't for everyone. I'd still go there over anywhere else I've seen in Hanley, but a city centre where that's the best on offer is in trouble.
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Post by Dresden_scfc on Aug 26, 2020 16:27:31 GMT
Seems to be more homeless about and more and more addicts than ever
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Post by Billy the kid on Aug 26, 2020 18:32:55 GMT
What a depressing topic this is....however I agree with almost everything you guys have said. Stoke on Trent is on its arse at present and I don't see it getting better any time soon.I encourage both my kids 25 and almost 18 to move to a nicer area which I feel they may do.I was born and raised on Scotia Road in Burslem so I'm a Stoke lad through and through but when I downsize my house I'm looking to move out towards the Congleton area...mostly quite nice and closer to Manchester (which is where my 25 year old and his girlfriend and mates go to for a decent day/night out) We have friends who live in Nottingham and we have a weekend there every three months or so...it's like a different world....very clean and dozens of lovely restaurants and pubs and never a hint of any trouble If you are pinning your hopes on Congleton as being an idealistic place to move to.... then I would strongly recommend that you dont. Having lived there half my life I can tell you that it isnt all it is cracked up to be, you have the rough areas (tin town) and then the rest, where its all for show, fur coat and no knickers. Stoke isnt a great place but at least the people are mostly friendly. The people of Congleton are by and large, snobs arrogant and about as friendly as Londeners. Horrible people OK place (or it was until they allowed a shit load of development to happen and doubled the size of the town with new build housing, at inflated prices. The areas relatively close that are nice with nice folk are Sandbach, or Northwich etc much better.
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