LOL. Had to look that up. No. Never watched it. But I do have distant family links to the North East (My Grandmother came from that part of the world) and have some happy early childhood memories of time spent up there with relatives.

Only issue for me is that the historical footballing loyalties are at St James rather than Roker so if I did end up in Seaburn I would have to be rather tactful. Which I am not famed for to be fair.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.

I'm not saying you should be fearful, I'm saying that you shouldn't have to have any concerns when you are in public. I've lived in places where I could leave my front door unlocked all the time and my keys in my car without worrying at all, and then there's Croydon, clutching at straws to try and pretend its ok.

In Sanderstead you had the Riddlesdown rapist for years. It's just crazy how kids had to be worried about being raped on the way to the boroughs biggest high school.

Good to hear some nicer bars are opening in South Croydon, some of the good things about Croydon were that it's bars were always full of funny characters and nice people... when you go to some allegedly nicer places around Surrey people are a lot colder.

I would add that having gone back to work in Croydon a few times in recent years it's very different to living there. In all the offices are in the area between Bedford Road and Wellesley Road, you suddenly see where it gets its grey reputation from. Growing up, I'd never need to go into that area, where its the only area a lot of people travelling into work go. Then if you walk round North End, the Whitgift Centre, Central, and what ever has replaced Alders on a weekday its a bit of a freakshow.

There was a street pastor shouting at people "God say's thou shall not kill".... I really wanted to tell him that that should be f***ing obvious to anyone.

Also, like anywhere, it gets stick because it's simply quite funny. The council and phrases like "Croydonisation" or "Croydon Facelift" don't really help.

Great to see people are still willing to stick up for it now.

I also failed to see, how any crime rate is relevant to the council going bust. Crime is related to the Government budget not the council.

Their main focus was allowing dwellings of multiple flats anywhere possible. Everything else was there to be obstructed. Heads should roll, but of course won’t. Probably get a bonus at some point.

COYP

Look at purley high street!!!

Well it was their downfall with the Westfield deal that Westfield are probably relieved they didn’t commit to now. This is the problem with local councils. It’s all one thing or another. Always was. Far too officious and obstinate. If people can walk away they probably will. It’s those who can’t that go through pain and stress with them.

COYP