‘Not that bad’ Residents hit back at areas’ criticism on review website
THERE are plenty of reasons to be happy living in South Gloucestershire, but that doesn’t stop some people saying unkind things anonymously online.
Some locals have now taken to iLiveHere.co.uk, a website which accepts reader submissions giving ‘honest’ reviews of the places in which they live, to express their opinion.
Some areas in and around Bristol have been harshly criticised by locals who are not afraid to take aim and expose the worst flaws for all to see.
We visited two of the areas mentioned – Kingswood and Staple Hill – to speak to some people living and working there about what the reviewers said.
Georgia Hewitt said she had lived in Kingswood all her life and she accepted it had started to go downhill slightly.
According to an iLiveHere reviewer, Kingswood is “always full of chavs”. The reviewer said the bus service was the only reason why Kingswood had any business.
However, 28-year-old Georgia is positive about the area and described her children’s school as amazing.
She said: “Kingswood needs to be more healthy – I do not think we need that many junk food places.
“There is a lot of junk food available here but there needs to be more shops with healthy options.”
Ms Hewitt, who would like to move somewhere more rural, said she was worried about her two children growing up in Kingswood, not because it was dangerous, but because there was not much to do in the area.
“The council are trying I think and they are putting money into renovating the area, things like the roads,” she added. “They have renovated the park and the new library is really nice.
“Kingswood is not as bad as people think, but it could be better.
“A mixture of people live here and I think there are more ‘chavs’ in other areas of Bristol.
Philip Reeder said that he had been living in Kingswood for five years.
The 55-year-old said the area had a high proportion of elderly residents, and that the majority of services target them.
Mr Reeder described the transport links as rubbish, saying it could take him up to an hour to get to the city centre by bus.
He also said there were not many jobs available in the area.
“During lockdown, it was like being in a fishbowl,” Mr Reedersaid. “I moved here because I was homeless at the time and this is where the council put me.”
Mr Reeder said he had lived in a high-rise in Bedminster before, which he described as much worse.
“It is quite a depressing place to be – nothing ever happens here, like festivals or events,” he said. “It is quite boring.
“I do not know anyone after living here for five years, it is quite a lonely place.
“There is no community centre or things like that where people can meet each other.”
A 25-year-old hospital worker said she grew up in Bath but moved to Kingswood two years ago.
She said the area was “alright” and that she had never had any problems.
“The shopping centre is fine, it has got everything I need such as a Wilko or Sainsbury’s,” she said. “I know it is not for everyone, but here is where my social life is.”
Another area mentioned by the
site reviewers is Staple Hill, described as a “cesspool of iniquity”. However, the opinion of the people we spoke to was very different.
Mandy, 27, is looking at moving back to the area to be closer to her family, work and her son’s school.
She said: “I don’t think Staple Hill is too bad.
“I think there are probably too many pubs close to each other though.
“I think it is a good area to live in overall, I do not mind it.”
Mandy said she was currently living in the countryside but that she felt her young family would fit better in an area like Staple Hill.
She added the schools are alright, with Christ Church having been
Hill could be regenerated but I definitely do not think it is the worst area of Bristol Broad Street shop owner
very good with her son, and that there were plenty of options when it came to parks.
She said there was a library and a leisure centre nearby as well.
A shop owner in Broad Street said she had lived in Staple Hill all her life.
“The area is fine, I am used to it and it has everything we need,” she said. “We could do with a few more shops as the shopping area has got a bit run down.
“It needs a bit of investment to get some more shops in.
“Staple Hill could be regenerated but I definitely do not think it is the worst area of Bristol.”
Bob Cox is a retired roofer from Downend who does his shopping in Staple Hill every week.
The 66-year-old said: “There is nothing wrong with Staple Hill.
“I have worked all over Bristol and this is far better than many other places.
“The people are lovely and the area has good shops with friendly shop owners that always make you feel welcome.”