What makes ‘best’

AFTER WINNING A NATIONAL AWARD, RESIDENTS REVEAL WHY THEY LOVE LIVING IN SLAITHWAITE

SHOP worker Denis Lowery was born and bred in Slaithwaite and says the village has achieved something approaching a ‘miracle.’

Denis, 74, says the village, which sits beside the Huddersfield Narrow Canal in the Colne Valley, has managed to preserve its heritage whilst reinventing itself as something of a tourist destination. He works in the Antiques Warehouse in the centre of Slaithwaite and has seen many changes over the years.

“There are a lot more touristy facilities now,” he says.

“Slaithwaite has managed to keep most of its old pubs, which is a miracle. I have noticed the changes and became more aware of them because I moved away to Crosland Moor and came back to Slaithwaite in 2013.

“It has changed a lot. Most of the banks have gone. We are now down to one butcher when there used to be three or four. We have retained enough independent shops so you can do all your shopping without going to the supermarket.”

Denis wasn’t surprised to hear that Slaithwaite has been named Best Place to Live in the North in the Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2022 report which said: “The combination of countryside, connectivity and a community full of independence and imagination make this canalside mill village the perfect place to pursue post-pandemic happiness.”

Customers have been visiting the

Antiques Warehouse, an expansive space packed full of curios, from across the North and it’s not uncommon to hear accents from New Zealand and Australia, says

Denis.

“Some people come back to visit families,” he says. “They say it (Slaithwaite) has changed for the better.”

He believes the transformation has been boosted by the stunning Pennine location, the picturesque canal, and the growth in ‘high end’ holiday cottages along the valley.

Denis has spoken to several customers in the shop who have moved to Slaithwaite from London.

New arrivals from London have

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also been spotted in the florist, Lily of the Valley.

Shirley Denton, a retired antique dealer who moved to Slaithwaite 52 years ago, describes it as ‘very arty’ and ‘up and coming.’