> Mercer says a part of town filled with ethnic minority shops and restaurants has been disparaged by some as “a foreign bazaar”. “Would they prefer the shops were empty? It’s much better to have busy shops, but people don’t like change.”

No, it's that I don't like the council and central government turning a blind eye to obvious crime fronts because they're desperate for the tax. Don't call me a bigot or xenophobe.

I would prefer them to be knocked down for housing frankly, as many town centres are close to useful train stations. The council can then use the council tax

Councils are supporting the don't build any housing any where mandate. It is such an obvious use of the land it's crazy. We still have to delusionally play along with ideas about how to "regenerate the high street".

Case in point. Huddersfield is currently "regenerating" its town borrowing huge sums for a new library and new markets etc instead of just flattening the town and replacing it with housing. The railway line is also having a major upgrade. The timing is literally perfect. Another own goal. But hey a lot of employment was generated and I'm sure the mandate to employ local didn't mean a lot of backhanders....

People will move to a shithole if it has good transport links to jobs, which Huddersfield has. Look at Romford for example. The council has sold off loads of land for flats and is selling more. All because of the new Elizabeth Line

Guess what the result is when 10,000s people with good jobs move in to an area? Demand for shops and services!