Friday, September 08, 2006
I'm down south today to meet mother's flight tomorrow morning. I've got a couple of hours to kill so I'm wandering round the town centre seeing what's what.
It's eerie. The sun is out and it's a glorious day, but there hardly seems a soul about. I've just been on the High Street and it's spooky. I stood still for a moment to work out what was wrong. Then it hit me - the silence. There are no cars, buses or trams. No one is chatting, shouting, laughing. There's just a horrible silence.
Then I looked around. The High Street seems to have had it's heart ripped out. The only shops are chains. The same centrally-chosen window displays you'll find anywhere else. I could be standing in any UK town and wouldn't be able to tell you which one. I'm trying to find something unique about this town centre but I just can't. Perhaps it's always been like this and I didn't notice, but I tell you one thing - I'm glad I live in Sheffield.
By comparison, Sheffield has a big heart and is a city centre full of life and activity. I think I'm beginning to appreciate all the money that has been spent on Sheffield - if it stops it turning into what I see before me here it's worth it.
