Town named among best UK places where locals say 'it's not worth living here'

07 February 2024 , 06:22

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Bank Street in the town of Rawtenstall, Lancashire (Image: James Maloney)

Rossendale, a borough consisting of picturesque towns nestled in Lancashire's rolling hills, was named one of the UK's best places to live last year but locals disagree.

Some residents have expressed their concerns, saying it's 'not worth living here'. The largest town, Rawtenstall, was hailed as an "improving town" with a "buzzing" weekend culture by The Sunday Times' Best Places to Live list. Despite its idyllic cobbled streets, stunning countryside views and proximity to Manchester, some residents fear that rising house prices could drive out locals in favour of city dwellers seeking a peaceful life in the countryside.

Some locals, however, believe that an influx of people from out of town is beneficial for businesses like shops and hospitality. Others say more people coming in means more traffic. Catherine Haffan, who works at Sweetie's on Bank Street, thinks Rawtenstall tops other nearby towns, especially with its variety of shops. "There's more businesses, less shops that are shut and more going on at night-time with bars and stuff."

Moreover, Catherine said: "We do have a lot of elderly customers coming in for the different sweets but we do have a lot of the younger customers too. There does seem to be more of a balance for everybody in Rawtenstall." She noted that Saturdays tend to get busy due to the flow of residents and visitors.

"Traffic can be bad, they do use this street as a cut through to miss out traffic lights but then it gets really congested with parking. Parking is limited. Other than early mornings, school runs, it's not too bad. But then you do get people who angry because they can't get through."

London flat for rent for £1,400 a month with bed tucked away in kitchen cupboard

Janette now lives in Waterfoot (No credit)

Gail Melvin works at Mooreys Health Store (No credit)

Megan from Patricia's Floral Flair echoed Catherine's view on the traffic issue, stating "it's busy and not worth living here." She explained: "There's buses to Manchester so I can see why people would come as it's cheaper to live here. They're also doing up the market again but it's just too busy and quite expensive if you're renting."

Gail Melvin, who lives in Bacup and works at a health store, says that while more commuters are shopping in the town than ever before, locals haven't been pushed out yet. She said: "We do get a lot of commuters in from the big city, Manchester and the surrounding areas because we are in the countryside. You just have to walk out of your door and you're in the countryside. It's fantastic - you get the best of both worlds."

According to Zoopla, 44.2% of homes in Rossendale have increased in value by 5+% in 2023, indicating that the town is becoming a desirable place to live. People are attracted by the chance to experience the countryside while also benefiting from local transport links and high street amenities.

Catherine Haffan says there's more going on in Rawtenstall compared to other towns (No credit)

However, Gail added: "It is difficult for the local people and again, it is always the local people who get shunted out of places like this because they can't afford it. I'm lucky but I live on the cheaper of the Valley in Bacup.

"I'm lucky, I purchased a house and I've had houses for many a year. My daughter has been able to buy a house, but I suppose if you're in a lower bracket you do really struggle because the rents and the mortgages are so unattainable. I think we're quite lucky in Rawtenstall, not as lucky in Bacup. There's lots of great shops in Bacup but they do seem to come and go. They just don't seem to get the footfall I don't think. We're very lucky on Bank Street that we have customers that love it."

Janette, a lifelong resident of Rawtenstall who recently moved to Waterfoot, said: "Properties have gone up, they've gone up substantially and you're not getting anything extra for your money." She also commented on the state of Bank Street, saying: "At the end of the day, I mean Bank Street's poor - there's not much on here anymore. You've got charity shops and the old Woolworths, that's it."

She had mixed feelings about the local market, stating: "The market's good - well it was good. It's not as good now because they haven't got the cafe anymore and all arty farty food." Cora, an employee at NuShu, a clothing boutique, lives in Bacup and has a different perspective on Rawtenstall. She said: "Rawtenstall is nice with independent shops and it's different from other towns."

She acknowledged changes in the town, noting: "There did use to be no charity shops and it was full of independents, but that's changed. I would say it was since the last recession when places had to close but they're slowly coming back."

She also mentioned the growing popularity of small bars and the monthly Foodie Fridays at the market, but expressed concern about traffic and the impact of the retail park on local trade, saying: "There's little bars now and the markets a big draw with stuff like their Foodie Fridays every month. Traffic is bad and the retail park, with the MandS has taken a lot of trade away from the town."

Susan Newton