I haven't lived in Altrincham for about five years. I come back reasonably often to watch Alty, to visit my folks etc, and will occasionally head towards the town to meet up with someone for a pint at Wetherspoons, go for a meal, whatever.
However, today was the first time I have walked around Altrincham Town Centre for about 18 months. I don't know whether it's due to this redevelopment being in progress, the recession or what, but I was struck by the number of boarded up shops and to be frank, much as it pains me to say it, the general crappy look of the town.
Is parking still ridiculously expensive, thereby driving shoppers away and into the arms of the Trafford Centre/Arndale Centre? Is there just no money about? It was absolutely horrible to look round the place.
The only thing that cheered me up was a couple of brilliant pan-pipers