A new report claims Rotherham is the ‘unhappiest’ town in the UK – but those living there disagree.
The town came last place, behind 210 UK areas, in a survey carried out by property buying website Rightmove’s annual Happy Home Index.
Local resident, Louise Muirhead, 63, said, “I think the recession has hit everybody. The towns down South where I come from are struggling just as much, and I’ve found this is the friendliest and nicest place I’ve ever lived.”
Student, Kade Vessey, 16, said: “It’s not exactly the nicest place to be at times but I’m quite happy.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be voted the least happy town and I’ve heard they’re going to be building more parks, so we’ll just have to wait and see.”
In the survey 21,000 participants scored their local areas on things like community spirit, access to nature and green spaces, as well as artistic and cultural activities.
Cornish town St Ives was ranked the happiest town in the country and Harrogate, North Yorkshire, also made the top 10, coming in at number six.
Although Rotherham residents deny they’re in an unhappy town, some people said they can understand the ranking due to the number of empty shops in the town centre.
Steven Wagstaff, 69, said: “Personally, I’m happy, but we do have a council with no business sense at all and they just don’t have a clue what to do, apart from knock stuff down.”
Another resident, 76, said: “I’m a happy person, but if the council stop spending money in the wrong places, reduce rent for businesses and bring a shopping centre back, we’d be a lot better off.
“I’m really wondering why they’re doing all the block paving when there’s not going to be anyone coming here,” she added.
Many young people from Rotherham said they could accept the results as there was nothing for them to do in the town.
College student, Lily Wilkson, 18, said: “No one’s really coming into town, and I know they’re doing renovations, but I just feel like it’s a waste of money.”
Local resident, Josh Caswell, 22, said, “If you look around where we are right now, lots of places are closed and there’s not really a great deal going on, especially for students, so I can understand why some people are quite sad.”
To see the full list, visit Rightmove’s website: Rightmove – UK’s number one property website for properties for sale and to rent
