opinion

Adam Toms visited a classic British market town and was left shocked shortly after arriving.

Some UK towns can feel like they are in a state of decay, leaving locals feeling their taxes are little better than money down the drain. Many high streets have become ghost towns, with only large chains or resilient independent businesses managing to survive.

Burgess Hill, once renowned for its thriving brick and tile-making industry and an annual St. John’s Sheep Fair, is nestled just north of the affluent coastal city of Brighton in Sussex. However, some locals claim it’s now a town in decline, teetering on the brink of oblivion.

The story they tell is one that will be familiar to many: once a bustling hub with its own market, attracting shoppers from far and wide to its array of local shops, it has since fallen into disrepair. And shortly after arriving in the town and paying for parking, journalist Adam Toms was confronted with what he described as a scene more reminiscent of The Last of Us than a typical English provincial town.

A desolate patch of land, eerily reminiscent of Margaret Thatcher’s infamous “walk in the wilderness”, was flanked by vacant retail units, their interiors hauntingly empty. Messages left by former staff were scrawled on the doors.

Adam went on to share: “A piece of barren land – which put me in mind of the famous photos of Margaret Thatcher’s ‘walk in the wilderness’ – was surrounded by empty retail units with ghostly, empty interiors. On their doors were messages written by staff who had since moved elsewhere.”

Signs declared “STORE CLOSING. EVERYTHING MUST GO” and “SALE 50%”. Windows had been boarded up after apparently being smashed by local youths, rainwater leaked from pipes, and metal fencing and red plastic barriers cordoned off a particularly dismal passageway.

He continued: “It wasn’t all this bad. Burgess Hill has a number of shops operating in its actual high street, and an amazing Creative Community Hub, which is run by volunteers and puts on skill-sharing activity sessions, including sewing and pottery.”

Run by volunteers, the hub hosts skill-sharing activities such as sewing and pottery. However, the locals he chatted with seemed somewhat embarrassed and disheartened, feeling their hometown was being eclipsed by more prosperous areas like Horsham.

“One woman, Susan Truran, 68, a retired revenue analyst, asked if I was lost when I explained who I was. People added that they have been let down by promises to improve the area,” said Adam.

The latest proposal aims to revamp the shopping district into a contemporary, lively retail and leisure hotspot, while also creating new homes and jobs. Developer New River is collaborating with Mid Sussex District Council on this project.

Planning permission has been granted for 50,000 square feet of fresh retail space, including a 21,000 square foot food store, 172 new residences and a 102-room hotel.

Jo Homan, a volunteer at the creative hub, stressed that Burgess Hill isn’t the only UK town facing challenges. She commented: “It’s pretty much the same everywhere, isn’t it? A lot of towns are like it.”

This is certainly accurate, and numerous other local authorities are pledging to spruce up their areas. Adam said that he has also visited Margate and Weston-super-Mare, where locals spoke of their towns’ urgent need for regeneration.

Folkestone in Kent presented a unique scenario, with businessman Sir Roger De Haan sharing details of his £100million investment that’s rejuvenating the area. And over in Hampshire, locals expressed their disappointment at the current state of Aldershot.

Back in Burgess Hill and Andrew Griffin, 56, an employee at an insurance firm, highlighted to Adam that it has room for growth, being home to major employers like American Express.

Last week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer discussed Labour’s Pride in Place plan, announcing that around 40 new areas across England will have the power to decide where up to £20million is invested in their localities: “It is the same story in towns across the country. Youth clubs that have been abandoned, shops boarded up and high streets decimated,” he said.

“We must reverse the devastating decline in our communities and give power, agency and control to the very people who want to improve their community – those who have skin in the game. Through the Pride in Place Programme, communities – backed by the state and fired up by pride – will join the fight for national renewal and a Britain built for all.”

Passengers on a busy British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Jamaica divided opinion with their behaviour, which some described as “inconsiderate” and “rude”

Some British Airways passengers divided opinion online after footage emerged of them chanting and preaching during a flight.

Clips posted on social media show a woman standing in the aisle and singing while waving and shouting at fellow passengers until they join in and clap along during the journey from London Heathrow to Jamaica this month. Further footage captures a man loudly preaching while standing at his seat until staff announce the seat belt signs have been turned on and he sits back down.

Maxine Munroe, who was on the flight and shared a clip on TikTok, described her bizarre experience as “almost like being in church,” and fierce debate followed on the social media platform. Maxine, a 56-year-old nurse, said the antics early into the flight and continued for nearly three hours.

“It was almost like we were at church…. I think I was just surprised that this was happening 40,000ft in the air. At some point I was thinking we need to settle down and we need to rest. There were a lot of people (online) who say they don’t think they could cope on a flight like that,” Maxine, who is from Croydon, south London, said.

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Indeed, some online who blasted the behaviour, describing it as “inconsiderate” and “rude”. One Tiktoker posted: “I’d have found this so rude, they’re making a show of themselves and not thinking of others at all.” Another said: “As a nervous flyer this would send me over the edge.”

The clips show no obvious backlash from other passengers onboard the flight. Maxine, who regularly visits family in Jamaica, continued: “You will be on flights and people will pray before the flight takes off or if there’s turbulence you might hear somebody pray but not to that scale… It was fine while it lasted but it’s got its limit and I can understand when someone says that it is too much.

“I did think how long it would be until the crew had had enough. They need to be able to do their job and have the flight under control and it was a bit of an obstacle.

“A lot of people thought alcohol was related and actually there was no alcohol involved. It was more high on the godly spirit than they were on the alcohol, which is why I don’t think it affected the flight attendants as much as people drinking and being rowdy.”

British Airways has not faced direct criticism online following the emergence of the videos. Social media users were, though, angry at the passengers themselves for their decisions. One said: “Looks a nightmare.” Another stated: “It’s inconsiderate. I would’ve been so cross.”

But others were entertained and applauded the joyful tourists. One TikToker posted: “It was a lovely thing to see and f**k what anyone else says.” Another shared: “This would be the best flight. I like it when people are happy.” The Mirror has contacted British Airways for comment.