Billionaire Brothers Own Derelict High Street in Newton Aycliffe
In Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, residents are grappling with a stark contradiction: their entire town centre, including the high street, is owned by billionaire brothers, yet it remains severely run down. The Guardian's northern editor, Josh Halliday, recently visited the area to document the decay, finding a landscape dominated by boarded-up shops, closed banks, and a pervasive sense of misery among locals.
Originally conceived as a new town with a high street intended to be the jewel in its crown, Newton Aycliffe now feels like a ghost town, according to Halliday. During his reporting, he meticulously counted the shops, noting many vacancies, and was approached by a teacher who echoed the community's disgust, stating, "it's disgusting, isn't it?" This sentiment highlights the deep frustration over the neglect despite the wealthy ownership.
High Streets as a Political Battleground
The state of high streets like Newton Aycliffe's is emerging as a critical issue in the upcoming election. Reform is focusing on this problem, while Labour has introduced the Pride in Place policy to address it. Halliday emphasizes that prosperity in high streets is vital for community morale, noting that when these areas decline, people often perceive their entire locality as failing. This connection between economic vitality and public perception makes high street revitalization a key political priority.
Ownership and Potential Solutions
So, how did Newton Aycliffe come to be owned by two billionaire brothers? The details of this acquisition remain unclear, but it underscores a broader trend of concentrated property ownership in struggling towns. To help high streets like Newton Aycliffe, potential solutions include:
- Increased investment in local businesses and infrastructure.
- Policy interventions to encourage occupancy and reduce vacancies.
- Community-led initiatives to foster pride and engagement.
As debates continue, the fate of Newton Aycliffe's high street serves as a poignant example of the challenges facing many UK towns, where ownership by the ultra-wealthy does not guarantee prosperity.
