16 February 2024 , 10:57
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Residents of a town branded the UK’s most depressing have “welcomed” its new title as it might help reduce house prices and make beaches quieter.
Falmouth, in Cornwall, was top of the list, ahead of Peterborough and Aberdeen, in a survey published earlier this week by iLiveHere. Reviewers described the town, where many homes are used as holiday boltholes, as "bland,” "boring" and a “soul destroying mediocrity with a gaping cultural void”.
Many people reacted with anger as they defended their home but Mayor Kirstie Edwards says most residents in the Cornish seaside town have taken the news with a "pinch of salt". She said: “Falmouth is often highlighted as an exemplar of partnership work despite the many and varied challenges thrown at us as a town, county, and country. We do everything possible together as a community to make it a varied, inclusive, fun and supportive place to live.
“The current 'news' online hasn’t spoken to local people or visited our lovely town - so for now I’ll take it with a pinch of salt. The response from people in Falmouth has been fairly humorous with many stating it's a great article - as it might make it affordable for local people to live here and make the beaches quieter. You've got to love the Cornish sense of humour.”
Another local suggested the poll was rigged by envious residents of rival towns. Jade Thipps, 29, who works at Good Vibes Cafe in Falmouth, said: "The poll is not true and totally unjust – I've never lived anywhere less depressing or boring. We heard the whole thing was started by other people whose town always gets voted the worst. I think some people are jealous.”
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Falmouth trumped Peterborough by 27 votes, while Aberdeen and Alloa in Scotland came third and fourth on the list, respectively.
Also jumping to the town’s defence was Falmouth University. A spokesman said: “As Cornwall's University, we're probably a little biassed but it's more telling Falmouth is routinely voted one of the UK's best places and happiest places to live over the years according to The Sunday Times, Coast Magazine and many others.
“Our location is one of the major draws our students cite for wanting to study here, coupled with Falmouth's flourishing music scene, reputation as a cultural hotbed and foodie hub. Along with our incredible facilities and staff, creative industry links, world-class research and a multi-disciplinary approach to learning, it's a great place to live, work and study.”