Day 1: Middlesbrough
Yes, I know. It’s hardly Cairo with the pyramids, or LA and Hollywood. But it only cost £1.25 single to the bus station, and we did learn about it at GCSE level. It’s attracted a fair amount of press attention too recently. Apparently, according to some TV programme presented by some bumbling idiot and his sidekick, it’s the worst place to live in Britain. I’m not sure about that. Yes, it’s got some problems. But where hasn’t? Its very pleasant on the outskirts, and North Yorkshire is undoubtedly an attractive county. I got off the bus at Middlesbrough bus station and immediately stood in a pile of dog excrement. Not nice. Sadly, my shoes are of the grooved variety and twenty minutes later I was still attempting to remove orange segments from my shoe. The dog clearly had serious digestive issues judging by the consistency. Anyhow, I’m here. The bus station of course is in the frame of the CBD, as any Geographer worth his or her salt will already know. It’s actually quite big. I don’t know if this is because of the sheer number of people wanting to leave the town, but you can see why it needs to be in the frame. Land values would be much too high in the core for it to locate there. Anyway, I stepped along Albert road with its independent, locally owned shops. It wasn’t long though before I was outside the marvellous building that is Debenhams. A sweet, sugary smell floated past me as I stood admiring the multi-storey building that is Debenhams. This wasn’t the smell of dog excrement making a comeback, but instead the rather more pleasant aroma of Dinky Donuts, located in front of Next, Burger King, Top Man, etc. All of them chain stores, all able to afford the high rents, most of them building upwards with upper storey use to maximise land in the core. I resisted temptation and the allure of a donut, and headed towards the other side of the core and into the frame once again, past the Town Hall, past the ‘Hairy Lemon’ pub, past the building that was once the Odeon cinema (then Jumpin’ Jaks nightclub), and to the improved area of the frame which is where the new UGC cinema proudly sits next to the A66. Satisfied that I had seen enough I headed back towards the town centre. Of course, I had missed out recent improvements put in place by the town council. Anyone from the area knows that Captain Cook was a famous local resident, having been born in Marton, on the outskirts of the town. A permanent reminder of this can now can be found in the core, where a zone of improvement is evident. Captain Cook’s square backs onto the bus station and is a section of chain shops which effectively acts as an extension to the CBD. It’s the council’s attempt to stave off competition from other competing shopping centres, such as the out of town retail outlet, Teesside Park. Has it worked? Well, it has improved the town centre. There can be no doubting that. But judging by the cars that were piling into Teesside Park as I go the bus here, the town council have a tough task on their hands. Before I left, in true Geography style I did a survey to see if people thought that Captain Cook’s Square had made a difference to the CBD.
Interview 1: Young male, aged around 20 years
Me: Excuse me, but could you spare a moment please?
Youth: Yer wha?
Me: I said, could you spare a moment please.
Youth: Why, like?
Me: Because I’d like to ask you if you think Captain Cook’s Square has made a difference to the CBD.
Youth: Sort of.
Me: What do you mean, sort of?
Youth: I mean it sort of has.
Me: Yes, but in what way?
Youth: I mean its sort of berra than it woz.
Me: OK. So you like it then.
Youth: It’s alright, suppose.
Me: OK….thanks.
Interview 2: Elderly lady (rude to state her age)
Me: Excuse me, but could you spare a moment please?
Lady: Spare some change?
Me: No, spare a moment…for me to ask questions.
Lady: What questions?
Me: Well….I was wondering if you think Captain Cook’s Square has made a difference to the CBD.
Lady: Captain Cook’s dead.
Me: Yes…I know…but the square is named after him.
Lady: Is it? Oh. I’ve never been.
Me: OK…thanks anyway.
This is not going to plan.
Interview 3: Middle aged female (rude again to state a lady’s age)
Me: Excuse me, but could you spare a moment please?
Lady: Yes, certainly.
Me: I was wondering if you think Captain Cook’s Square has made a difference to the CBD.
Lady: Yes. I’d say so. It has extended the CBD. There are more pedestrianised places for people to shop. Its more shopper friendly. Its also fairly accessible and has a range of chain stores to compete with Teesside Park.
Me: Thanks!
Lady: No problem…a pleasure.
Wow. My faith in humanity just about restored, I decided to call it a day. I will return to Middlesbrough in the months to come to look at Industry on Teesside. But for now, it’s adios to the town. Before my flight to Rio de Janeiro, there’s time on the way to Newcastle airport to pop in to see Gateshead and inner city regeneration.
