Town is dying claims resident

This astonishing attack has been launched by Ilkley resident Frazer Irwin, who is disgusted at the disappearance of community spirit and happy, smiling faces.

Mr Irwin, of Queens Road, said Ilkley boasted numerous clubs and societies, but there was far more to a town than 'things to do.'

"Ilkley is a dead place," said Mr Irwin.

Mr Irwin blames the decline on several factors, notably the loss of residential accommodation in the town centre.

"Years ago people lived above the shops in the town centre, you had a town centre community," he said.

The man dubbed Ilkley's most outspoken resident said residents needed to switch off their televisions and exercise their legs.

"You just don't see people out for a simple walk, for example, enjoying and observing the town in which they live," he said.

"When the tourists go home, there is no-one left in the town of an evening, apart from those in the pubs," he said.

Mr Irwin then slammed residents for taking little or no interest in their town. "I can give you a great list of examples where people are prepared to do nothing; the Darwin Gardens scheme, funds for the Warehouse, for example," he said.

Mr Irwin said parish councillors and residents must share the blame for this 'decline' - more needed to be done to boost Ilkley.

He said it was the same old faces who kicked up a fuss about issues, he said people should pen to paper and express opinions rather than sitting back in apathy, hoping someone else would solve the problem.

Mr Irwin believes Ilkley has 'lost its smile' and feels there is little prospect of it returning in the near future.

"People need re-educating into taking more interest in the town - more evening walks would be a start," he said.

l Do you agree with Mr Irwin. Has Ilkley lost 'its smile?' Is Mr Irwin right or simply barking up the wrong tree?

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.