The ‘run down’ UK seaside town that ‘doesn’t even have a beach’

Locals have hit back after their ‘run down’ UK seaside town that ‘doesn’t even have a beach’ was recently branded the worst in the UK.

Bangor in Gwynedd, Wales, came out at the bottom of a survey to determine the UK’s best and worst coastal spots by consumer site Which?.

The Welsh seaside spot described as “drab” and “run down” isn’t actually a town – but rather a city – came bottom of 100 places listed, scoring just 42 percent in contrast to Wales’ best seaside town Portmeirion, also in Gwynedd, which scored 83 percent.

News of the not so prestigious award has enraged locals who believe their beloved city is just getting a “hard time”, the Mirror reports.

Jan Underwood, who lives outside the historic city, noted that Bangor doesn’t really have a beach but is instead “on the Straits”.

She wrote: “I thought Bangor was getting a hard time again. We don’t really consider it to be a seaside town. It’s on the Straits, there isn’t really a beach, but Bangor has lots of other things to offer.

Whilst Alwen Gwyn called the news “disheartening” and said the town was blessed with a great community spirit.

He saidL “There’s always something going on, but you have to look for it”.

“It’s not just the pier. It’s all over Bangor. Music going on in the small venues, so there’s definitely a community here that’s trying to make a difference.

“So when you read really negative press, ‘dissing’ the place, it’s just disheartening. It’s a really, really nice place to live”.

Although some locals snapped back at its latest dubious accolade – it seemed many agreed with the grim prognosis.

Bangor has an enviable location less than an hour away from Snowdonia National Park – but in recent years has been beset with challenges including crime issues and is among the top five most dangerous overall out of Gwynedd’s 103 towns, villages and cities.

One of those surveyed, Ray Mills, branded the high street “absolutely horrific”, adding that the area is not geared towards tourism like other towns along the same coast.

The council also pointed out Bangor’s views of the Menai Strait and its role as a gateway to the natural beauty of Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) and noted that “such rankings often fail to capture the full picture”.

In a statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Bangor City Council said: “It’s disappointing to see Bangor City named as one of the UK’s worst seaside towns. Such rankings often fail to capture the full picture and the unique charms that make Bangor City so special.”

The council added that the ratings highlight that there are several areas in need of improvement, which will give the council an opportunity to address them, it said.