I’ve just been into Ipswich town centre…

I had to visit a specialist shop for something and haven’t been there for years. The contrast with Norwich is startling.

First thing I noticed is it’s nowhere near as busy or prosperous. Lots of boarded up buildings and closed store fronts. Then there is a the large groups of dubious looking men hanging around on street corners, the rubbish blowing down the street. Police cars slowing crawling down the high street at regular intervals. The homelessness is rife and those going about life just look so terribly unwell, either gaunt or obese with terrible complexion and arched spines. There are armies of ‘saviours’ walking around with clipboards, usher people to their churches. It really played out like something from a Steinbeck or Fante novel.

I know I may live in something of a bourgeois bubble, but my god is this what parts of the country have fallen to? I don’t even know why many of the recent immigrants would come here, I’ve spent time in Albania and it’s nicer than Ipswich.

Posted By: SenatusAcademicus, May 18, 13:32:18