Is Wick the UK's most dismal town?

Sir - It is often said that the hardest thing to see is that in front of your eyes. This seems to be particularly true for Highland Council in Wick. As a result I will offer the view from an outsider.

I have visited Wick numerous times over the last 15 or so years as my wife was born in Wick and brought up a few miles south of the town. I have always tried to be positive about what I’ve seen but my visit last week has changed all that and honesty must now prevail.

I found that in a town where it is now impossible to buy a magazine on the high street and a challenge to buy a newspaper; where ‘closing down’ signs were the growth industry; where despite a large free car park a minute’s walk from the centre people parked directly outside whichever building they wished to visit unconcerned about the traffic chaos they caused; and where even the 99p shop has closed down; the local council’s best suggestion for rejuvenating the town is to build themselves some new offices.

It could be argued that in the midst of the worst recession many of us can remember, and recognising that every penny the council spends come from the labours of those in the wealth-generating private sector, that such actions demonstrate the contempt the public sector holds for their paymasters. In some professions, living off the earnings of others even has tacky connotations. It could even be asked why if the council can perform its duties in temporary accommodation whilst the new building is constructed, they couldn’t carry on performing these duties in this accommodation until the economic situation improves and there is spare money for council vanity projects.

But no such worries afflict the Wick councillors. Indeed, I imagine that it will be bonuses all round this year for targets met. They aimed low and hit rock bottom. In the opinion of this outsider, Wick is now the most dismal and depressing town in the UK. And before the self-appointed guardians of Highland spirit claim I am a lone foreign voice, I didn’t find one dissenting opinion from Caithness stalwarts, and one gave the considered view that the only good thing about Wick was the road out.

When the new council offices are completed, the leaders will be able to celebrate with a glass of private sector-funded champagne and watch through the newly installed windows as the remains of a once proud and important town finally disappear into the dust.

Their job will be complete and honours will beckon. It’s a shame there will be no-one else around to share their self-important pleasure.

Mike Andrews,

232 Outwood Common Road,

Billericay,

Essex.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.