Whitebirk Retail Park

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

He's definitely been attending Stanley matches since long before he became an MP. I can say that for a fact. Whether or not he's been attending since before he became involved in local politics, I don't know. Obviously, I can't read minds, but the impression I get from chatting to him in the pub and on the way down to the ground is that he's a genuine supporter.

Are you really really sure about that Wyn or is it just another European vote syndrome

[lancsdave]

Originally Posted by Neil

At the moment I do not like shopping in Accrington and try hard not to. As mentioned by accyman it is full of people I would rather not be around so I will go elsewhere. Once the rapid transport waste of money is finished people who rely on buses will be able to elsewhere faster as well. It has been mentioned by others before on AccyWeb, the problem with Accrington is some of the people not the place itself. Unfortunately the minority of people (I think they are the minority) are driving others out of town.

It just doesn't get through does it

[accyman]

Originally Posted by Neil

Out of interest when did he start attending Stanley matches? Would it have anything to do with politics by any chance?

thats my bet too.The local politicos sure like to use stanley as a back drop for a photo op

[Wynonie Harris]

Originally Posted by accyman

thats my bet too.The local politicos sure like to use stanley as a back drop for a photo op

Some of 'em certainly do, as we've seen in the past. However when you see someone turning up week in, week out, season after season, well away from the glare of the cameras, it indicates to me that they're not faking it. I mean how many votes is Graham Jones going to pick up by sitting in the Oaklea with me and Cashy?

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

Some of 'em certainly do, as we've seen in the past. However when you see someone turning up week in, week out, season after season, well away from the glare of the cameras, it indicates to me that they're not faking it. I mean how many votes is Graham Jones going to pick up by sitting in the Oaklea with me and Cashy?

Well there's only a possibility of one of you two and by making that statement you haven't actually enhanced your street cred Wyn

[harwood red]

I can def say Graham has been going to Stanley long before he needed to canvass for votes

[garinda]

Originally Posted by harwood red

I can def say Graham has been going to Stanley long before he needed to canvass for votes

Before he stood for election in Accrington as a councillor?



In all his bio's he always states he's a 'life long Blackburn Rovers fan'.

No mention of Stanley.

Graham Jones (politician) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Blackburn Rovers - Graham Jones MP Statement





People should remember, Jehova's Witnesses are positively reticent, compared to the zealous recruitment tactics, used by the Stanley faithful.

Like Waco, but with warm, hand knitted scarves...and pies.

[Wynonie Harris]

Originally Posted by garinda

Before he stood for election in Accrington as a councillor?



In all his bio's he always states he's a 'life long Blackburn Rovers fan'.

No mention of Stanley.

Graham Jones (politician) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Blackburn Rovers - Graham Jones MP Statement





People should remember, Jehova's Witnesses are positively reticent, compared to the zealous recruitment tactics, used by the Stanley faithful.

Like Waco, but with warm, hand knitted scarves...and pies.

Quite right, he's been a Rovers season ticket holder since 1978. However, he has Stanley as his second club and he turns up regularly to support them, season after season. I'd prefer he was a full-time Stanley supporter, but I'll take that as the second best option.

Incidentally, Gary, can I interest you in a main stand seat for next season?...quite comfy...good view...

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

Quite right, he's been a Rovers season ticket holder since 1978. However, he has Stanley as his second club and he turns up regularly to support them, season after season. I'd prefer he was a full-time Stanley supporter, but I'll take that as the second best option.

Incidentally, Gary, can I interest you in a main stand seat for next season?...quite comfy...good view...

See?

Worse than Moonies.



I was invited to one evening game, the next thing I remember I'd been to every home match, and quite a few away ones, the season they won promotion back into the league.

I even organised for us, here on Accy Web, to sponsor a player.

Which I remember one Mr. Cashy refusing the chance to purchase a co-share in, because he was 'a Rovers fan'.

Now he's dressing in flowing red robes, and singing Accri Krishna, up and down the town's streets, every Saturday afternoon.



I really enjoyed the season I attended, but I did find it expensive, being the country's most youthful pensioner.

I support them from afar now, throughout the winter...whilst sat on a beach.

Besides, if Graham Jones was there, I'd be ejected for starting obscene chants.

'Who the euro hell are you?'

''I predict a riot...if we don't get a referendum.'

'You're goin' home in Franco-Prussian ambulance.'

The shame would be too much.

[Guinness]

The town centre began to decline when half the market stalls started selling cheap cruddy clothes. This was followed by the white elephants known as the Arndale, the ring road, the new market hall, the new market stall area and the advent of charity/pound shops. The final nail was to encourage the ne'er do'wells by giving planning permission for the Maundy drunk tanks whilst removing benches to discourage them congregating and alienating the rest of the purchasing public. (Used to park my backside on them for a quick fag while the wife nipped into the market hall to buy me my weekly sweet rations)

Parking on the Arndale at weekends is a nightmare, yeah it's free but so are the Trafford Centre, Freeport, Reebok, Deepdale and Cheshire Oaks.

The market hall is now an unmitigated disaster.

The rebuilt market is so tight and squashed, that you can no longer browse without being hit by a pram, walking stick or a staggering drunk.

Accrington town centre is unattractive, unappealing and looks run down, dirty and derelict.

I'm obviously in the minority on this forum, but, in reality, I think I'm part of the majority of locals who find it simpler and more appealing to shop at Tesco, Asda or Morrisons for food (including my weekly sweet rations ) and wander off to the retail parks or the internet for white goods.

I hope Peel Holdings do take legal action, I want a vibrant local retail park, which, at the moment, Whitebirk most definitely is not. The town centre for me has already passed the point of no return, even Great Harwood and Darwen are superior for the diversity and quality of shops. Accrington's is mainly used by the 17-20 year olds to get lashed on a weekend and the maundy dregs of society.

I also don't hold with the agrument that local retail parks are only available to drivers, I remember the 70's when free buses were put on to Asda in Rawtenstall. Nothing stopping HBC from negotiating with Peel Holdings and doing similar.

And as for the small local trader argument, if your products are up to scratch and value for money, it doesn't really matter where you are situated, the local word of mouth will ensure you stay in business. e.g. bought myself a couple of t shirts based on information from this forum

[ToffeeGuy]

"I was invited to one evening game, the next thing I remember I'd been to every home match, and quite a few away ones, the season they won promotion back into the league."

Off topic, but I went to watch Stanley once and all I can say is that if the goal had been in the sky Stanley would have been ten-nil up by half-time. Seriously, I went with a guy who'd brought opera glasses so he could watch the ball go past Venus.

I also like going to grounds where at half-time I don't have to pour my own milk in my own coffee from a plastic bottle from ASDA off a plastic garden table. Sooner they build a new ground next to Hyndburn Sports Centre the better.

Stanley are my second team by the way.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Guinness

The town centre began to decline when half the market stalls started selling cheap cruddy clothes.

They sell what the people want to buy and cheap rubbish appears to be what many people want to buy

Originally Posted by Guinness

The final nail was to encourage the ne'er do'wells by giving planning permission for the Maundy drunk tanks whilst removing benches to discourage them congregating and alienating the rest of the purchasing public. (Used to park my backside on them for a quick fag while the wife nipped into the market hall to buy me my weekly sweet rations)

I agree completely, where are the police and why are they not deeling with this issue

Originally Posted by Guinness

Parking on the Arndale at weekends is a nightmare, yeah it's free but so are the Trafford Centre, Freeport, Reebok, Deepdale and Cheshire Oaks.

Parking at Blackburn on Saturday is not fun either and they charge you for the pleasure.

[Margaret Pilkington]

If a town doesn't sell what people want to buy, then the people will go where it is available. People do not come to Accrington for the view.
I agree with much of what Guinness has said....the powers that be, have spoilt what was once a lovely market town....and no amount of tubs with flowers in(that the yobs and drunks have vandalised more often than not) proclaiming us to be a Floral Market Town or some other such rubbish can change that. I am not trying to talk Accrington down, I am just being realistic.
People only come to town if the town has something worth coming for....and Accrington hasn't.

I have to say that since Blackburn Mall was refurbished with those horrible blinding floor tiles.....and since the Market was shifted....I don't like that placve much either and wouldn't care if I never set foot there again.

We went over to Blackburn a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't wait to get home......a very unsatisfying shopping experience.

Bolton and Bury seem to have got it about right.

[accyman]

thing is margaret the HBC of old slit accys throat by building the whitebirk estate.No sooner had currys and dixons left shops empty on broadway to move into teh arndale they were off leaving empty shops in the arndale to go set up on whitebirk.Accy has no big names in its center because HBC arranged for them to go to blackburn.

yes i know whitebirk is technically hyndburn but when i get in the car to go to whitebirk i say im off to blackburn to go get whatever it is i am getting because it may as well be blackburn.Hell great harwood is ours but even royal mail considers them to be blackburn

they really want that city status dont they lol

Accrington was not and never will be big enough to justify an arndale center it simply wasnt needed but a wild guess would be a lot of money was spent persuading someone we did need it because short of bribery i cant see how anyone couldnt see it was a town killer.

to make things worse they killed shifters and a damn good cinema too all in teh name of progress.Now we have a god awfull cinema and the younger folk will never experience the likes of shifters and now get their drinks in sterile unchareteristic holes.

hence along with removl of other clubs why the night life has relocated to other towns also as well as shoppers

[shillelagh]

well peel holdings appealed the decision ... and failed ... so now going to appeal to the supreme court .... anyone else think that if its failed 3 times now why appeal and put more money in the solicitors coffers .. and just think how much its costing hyndburn council and Blackburn wi darwen council seeing as they've helped hyndburn in fighting the case ...

BBC News - Peel Holdings' legal bid for Whitebirk retail park fails