Walsall has been named the worst place in Britain for quality of life in the Demos-PwC Good Growth for Cities Index 2025. Residents describe the West Midlands town as feeling like 'living in a war zone' or a 'real-life Shameless episode', with homeless people reportedly earning more by begging than some workers.
The index, which measures economic growth across 12 categories including job availability, skills, and housing affordability, ranked Walsall as the most deprived town in the UK. It also placed the town as having the second least healthy high street and the third worst job market.
Locals say the town has declined over the past 20 years due to rising unemployment and lack of investment. One resident, Daniel Briars, 40, said: 'This town used to be buzzing. Every shop unit was taken in the 90s... now it's vape shops, charity shops or empty shops.' Another resident on the Blakenall estate, once dubbed 'Britain's roughest', added: 'It's rubbish and drugs which are the issue. The council and police aren't interested in us.'
Market trader David, who declined to give his full name, said: 'People here don't want to work, they get their payments and just pinch from the shops.' Retired retail worker Alan Sharrat, 79, commented: 'It used to be a fantastic thriving town, but now there's more empty shops than being used.'
Walsall was once the centre of the UK's leather trade, but now faces issues with feral youths, gang violence, and drug addicts making streets unsafe even during the day. Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader of Walsall Council, has been contacted for comment.
