Worst Town In Britain - The North:South Divide Is Alive And Well!
Otherwise known as "When you've nothing left to be proud of, be proud of being proud".

Last night a special edition of Location, Location, Location aired in the UK. Special because it showed the UK's top ten best and worst towns.

As you might imagine, people feel passionately about such things. And the "worst town in Britain" Middlesbrough would like the country to know it is VERY UPSET.

It starts with a Rebuttal on the BBC



Of course, people feel they need to reply - on both sides!

"...arguably the most successful English club outside the 'big four' in the past 10 years.." Sorry, I've only just finished laughing at this bit. So you think that one trophy since Gibson arrived somehow negates the 10yrs of struggle in the Premiership? That despite finishing in the lower echelons of the League this is a success?
Chris Manning, Bury

You're living in the past! Okay, in the PAST Middlesbrough did a lot to contribute to the country and HAD a lot to be proud of. You also highlight surrounding areas for the beauty but based upon what Middlesbrough has to offer now I agree with the "worst town in Britain".
John Brugmans, Middlesbrough

Moved to the area from York a couple of years ago¿ cannot wait to move back, M'boro is one of the most intimidating towns in the UK. In fact we as a family no longer go shopping there, it's that bad. Plus the low expectation of a lot of the locals beggars belief, no incentive to improve their lot. To quote a primary school girl in what she wanted to do when she grows up, "I'm gonna have babies and get a free house" Maybe I am being unfair, and they are just a consequence of the environment they live in, but come on you Boro, you can do better!
Colin Brown, Saltburn-by-the-Sea



Of course, the Beeb moderate comments which make it hard to find real wank there. No matter though, because it's hardly going to stay there.

The Middlesbrough Mayor demands that the entire North East boycott Channel 4. Also he thinks the producers should crawl to Middlesbrough on their hands and knees to beg random members of the public for an apology.

Move on to the forums of the locl paper, and folk are getting more upset.



First the disbelief:


OH JEEZUS WEPT..........

MIDDLESBROUGH WORSE THAN HULL.

HAS ANYONE EVER BEEN TO HULL.

I know the town has a fair way to go before it receives any accolades but worse than DULL HULL....i think not

Then the blame:

So who is to blame for the 'state' of Middlesbrough,

The government
The council
The MP's
The Police
The Drug dealers

Now I am not one to have a go at the Police, but their history of corruption in this town still sticks to them like dog muck, and as my main gripe is with flash drug dealers driving around in the typical black Range Rover Sport, how on earth are these scum bags still allowed to operate. Some have been doing it for years (and have the mini mansions to show). Not so long ago a couple were on the front page of the gazette after being found guilty of major dealing of class A drugs, but they had been doing it for Yonks.

The argument is that evidence is gathered over a period of time but When I see the 4X4's cruising around (even when their premises have been bust ) but no stash found. then I start to think as to how they blatantly get away with it.

Op lancet allegedy cleaned out the dodgy bent coppers, but I have my doubts!

Anyway hang the bazturds and crush their cars then give the proceeds of their crimes to a good cause!

Urgings to accept their status:

Greenbeagle you appear to have touched on a raw nerve with the red tinted spectacle gang. No matter what evidence or who collated it has been produced regarding the decline of Middlesbrough they refuse to accept it. The survey relating to actual stats regarding Middlesbrough had been compiled by local authorities/NHS trust figures/crime analysis data/ and the national association of estate agents i think you will agree all experts in there own right. Who does Middlesbrough boast to argue the point in the National press and local publications ? Journey South and Paul daniels you couldn,t make it up.
It just so happens Paul Daniels loves the BORO so much he moved to Berkshire thirty years ago admit defeat with dignity the pro Middlesbrough gang it will not belong before Middlesbrough comes bottom of another league table the premiership.

And yearnings back to a bygone age:

Sadly mate The Cleveland Hills have nothing to do with Middlesbrough. I often fly over them and the sight of them does stir memories, but do not lump those hills (no pun intended) with the dross that Middlesbrough has become...

With it's Toy Town Mayor, its worse than useless MP, the squabbling councillors and worse of all the missed opportunities...

Where now the 'Infant Hercules'?

The Victorian Ironmasters who founded Middlesbrough would baulk at this town if they could see it now.

Having been born In Middlesbrough, lived away for a number of years, and then returned only to move out once again (but for good), I can say the only thing good about Middlesbrough is the road out.


Stop being proud of your pride!

I just posted my views on the best and worst website. Thought I'd share them with people here too......

I spent twenty seven years living in the North East just outside of Middlesbrough and for the last ten of those years I worked in Middlesbrough town centre itself. I agree that Middlesbrough may not be the worst place in the UK to live but it is far from a pleasant and friendly town.

I have a list as long as my arm of annoyances when it comes to Middlesbrough. I am sure these annoyances are true of many town up and down the country and perhaps I am biased after growing up in the Boro area. These include the undesirables that line the streets, the teenage mothers that insist on walking through town screaming foul mouthed abuse at there children and the beggars and winos that congregate daily on the town centre benches. But the one annoyance that gets me going more than any other is the pathetic fake sense of self pride that the people in the town have. The whole Tees Pride campaign stirred up by local no mark politicians, newspapers and radio stations is ridiculous sham. Until people take there heads out of the sand and realise that the town is unfriendly, unwelcoming and doesn't particularly have a lot going for it then it shall always be topping this sort of poll.

A special mention for all the neanderthals that right now are thinking "yer jokin aren't ya?". No I'm not, now eat your Parmo and then put your head back in the sand!




Excitable? Pissed off? Indeed!

But it's not until you hit the Channel 4 message boards you'll see them really losing it.



We're only worse because other people lie!

Are we only "so bad" because we accuratley report our crime statistics to the relevant bodies. Surely what you are highlighting is that our local police are far more competant than those of other towns and cities and the fact that more people are reporting crime shows a greater level of confidence in our police!!!! How open to interpretation are you findings????


Middlesbrough sucks!

apparently unlike the other people herei've been to other places in the UK and this is the worst. Nothing to do, nothing to see and an awful football team with an even worse manager! sorry boro, i can't wait to get the hell out

friendly people though i'll give you that

You broke my house price! Damn you, city slickers!

Thanks very much Channel 4 for instantly wiping any equity I have on the new house I have bought in my home town of Middlesbrough.

Lets hope you havent done too much damage and I end up losing thousands of capital and cannot afford to support my family in the future

Thanks again, City Slickers...


We're being discriminated against!


I believe that C4 should be taken to task over this report. This is discrimination at its worst.. Would they ever dare to show a similar report on the worst countries NO! Would they ever do something based on race or gender NO! Would they ever have a go at poor people in Africa and condem them for it ..NO! .Because they would be hammered by the law.. Absolute rubbish.. Middlesbrough is a very small town.. the surrounding areas are fine .. 15 mins from The Yorkshire Moors, 20 minutes from Northumberland Coast .. what a load of tosh.. Crime, what crime is that then?

Cows and sheep don't kill people! People kill people!

I find it interesting that so far on the Best places to live, they are all small rural villages with more cows , pigs and sheep living there than any one else no wonder there is less crime these animals aren't capable of of shooting anyone just yet!!!

It's a social experiment!

Middlesbrough is what it is really? What do you expect when you build a town next to a series of chemical plants and shipyards?
I'm convinced it was a social experiment!


Blame the Tories!

I've just been watching some of the programme. They haven't got to Middlesbrough yet and I'm already disgusted. They both think that bad mouthing these cities that have problems because of the fact that their industrial base was ripped out and then left to rot by a Tory government that didn't give a (you know the word) is just a big joke.

A lot of these places need a boost of confidence as they have gone through really bad times and are desperately trying to pull themselves up, Channel 4 should be absolutely ashamed of themselves and I think that they owe an apology not just to Middlesbrough but all the areas in the 'worst' list.

London is the worst, and Channel 4 is a big wuss.

I was never any good at maths but if 5 of the worst 20 are from London is this list saying in a round-a-bout way that London really is the worst place to live as it takes up a quarter of this list but Channel 4 haven't got the guts to say so???????
I love Boro

I was going to defend the Boro 'til they nicked my roof.

I was really upset this morning when I heard Middlesbrough had been announced the worst borough in the UK, then I opened my curtains and realised that my beautiful lead bay roof had been stolen in the night! Well done Phil and Kirstie this poll might be the kick start we need to do something about this area!

Damn Southerners!

The majority of the towns in the worst places to live are in the north and the best in the south. You have to be very naive to believe this is impartial and fair. At least people who actually live in Middlesbrough are down to earth and see this for what it actually is.

We wank because we care!

Phil & Chris of Channel 4 please note
Allegedly worse 'City' Middlesbrough has 66 pages of comment
Second place Hull has 17 pages of comments
Third place Newham has 4 pages of comments and Manchester has 9 pages of comments
Based on this data Middlesbrough are most computer literate and educated people who care about their town than most .


Rich people don't understand.

how dare you say this area is the worst , if you got out of your posh house and lived like we have to you would see the people are lovely, friendly and very polite and yes there are a few problems but just like any other area. maybe your life is way to nice for you to see past your nose and you should actually try living in these places that you slate insead. but silly me why give up your money and lifestyle.

We're not the worst! They are!

How dare you. I am from middlesbrough and how dare you say that this is a s**thole when there are places like manchester or liverpool around HOW DARE YOU Boro rules!!!

You're all scum!


This town is the absolute pits, I studied here for four years and hated every minute of it, it is the most run down crime ridden hovel I have ever had the 'honour' of setting foot in. I am originally from Newcastle and knew the town had a bad reputation, but thought oh it cant be all bad! Well it is and worse! Awful children litter the street hurling abuse at you, syringes litter the streets, prostitution is rife, and four burglaries and five car thefts in four years is enough for me, so I packed up and headed home! And have never felt better about it. They may be regeneratin this hole, but the same scum will still inhabit the place!


Blame it on people called Hugo and Trinnie!

What gives you the right to decide and comment on what is the worst place in the country to live. You in your London flats or your cottage in the village of Dibley. Middlesbrough is a town full of community sprit that you would never see in the deapest darkest regions in your beloved south east. I could show you why Middlesbrough is a great place to be. A place to live is a home not a house that you have bought for somebody called Hugo and his wife Trinny who are looking to down size to Dorset. You really do not live in the real world. I am so upset that you say this about a place that you just dont have any idea about.



The UK: A very small country that spends most of its time seperating into even smaller parts so they can shout at each other.

ETA: New news links!

If you're not Nelson Mandela your opinion doesn't count anyway!

WE WILL BURN YOU IN EFFIGY!