Residents of the UK’s worst town for quality of life have likened their experience to living in a “real-life Shameless episode”, as locals claim homeless beggars roaming the streets make more than businesses in the area.
Walsall, located in the West Midlands, has been named the most deprived place in the UK according to the Demos-PwC Good Growth for Cities Index 2025.
Locals describe the Black Country town, once the heart of the UK’s leather trade, as akin to “like living in a war-zone”, with many too frightened to venture out after dark.
The streets are reportedly overrun by unruly youths, gang violence and drug addicts, making them no-go zones even during the day. One particular suburb is reputed to be “Britain’s roughest estate.”
Depressing images reveal the town’s decline into a “slum”, characterised by dumped rubbish, vacant retail units and boarded-up houses.
Residents lament the steady deterioration of the town over the past two decades, attributing it to factors such as rising unemployment and lack of investment. The town, which once boasted major retailers and independent stores, has seen a significant decline. Local resident Daniel Briars, 40, shared: “I know a lad who runs a market stall and some days he takes home less than £100.
“I’ve spoken to homeless people who earn more than that by begging outside Spoons. This town used to be buzzing. Every shop unit was taken in the 90s and people used to come for the nightlife here over Birmingham believe it or not.”
“Day or night it was thriving, and now look around – its vape shops, charity shops or empty shops.”
A local resident of the notorious Blakenall estate – once labelled Britain’s roughest – believes Walsall has earned its title as the country’s worst place. He stated: “It does serve the rating, it’s horrible. I’ve been here 40 years, it used to be okay but now it’s gone so much downhill.
“It’s rubbish and drugs which are the issue. The council and police aren’t interested in us. The fire engines are here a couple of times a week as the kids keep setting stuff alight. It’s scandalous, no wonder no one wants to live here. This is worse than Shameless, it’s honestly terrible here.”
Walsall also ranked as the second unhealthiest high street and third worst job market in the country, according to the study.
The Good Cities Index, which evaluates a city’s economy, found that the town struggled more than any other for growth over the past year. The ranking is based on 12 different categories including job availability, skill level of the working population and housing affordability.
A market trader, who only identified himself as David, commented: “I was born in Walsall and it’s gone downhill. It’s in a state, full of drinkers and beggars. A lot of people have stopped coming, especially old people, they get frightened to come to the town.”
“People here don’t want to work, they get their payments and just pinch from the shops. When I was a kid it was very good, it was fantastic. It’s all gone now, all the industry.
“If you go to any of the suburbs you get run down areas that the council doesn’t care about. Caldmore is terrible, it’s always bad. Some days it’s like a fighting ring at the fountain. The council don’t turn it on as people would probably just drown in it.”
Vanessa Terry, 64, has called Blakenall home for more than 40 years and claims she’s witnessed the area deteriorate “from good to bad.”
She continued: “Our estate was ranked the worst one in England, which says something. We’ve got good neighbours and we all try to help each other. When I moved here it was all OAPs, it was lovely and quiet. You can live somewhat of a good life. But my family wouldn’t live around here.”
Community workers Andrew and Jayne, both 38, claimed a shortage of facilities and violence in the neighbourhood made the result predictable. Andrew stated: “You’re more likely to get caught up in knife crime here than 90 per cent of the UK. There’s not as many amenities as other areas and has one of the highest council tax rises. The ranking does not surprise me.”
Jayne revealed: “I go into schools and teach first aid. What I found really grim is that we had Year 6’s having anti-stabbing ambassadors to tackle knife crime. These are kids who are nine or 10-years-old. There’s some areas where you just don’t go.”
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader of Walsall Council, declared it was “time to change the conversation about Walsall” and pointed towards several redevelopment currently going on.
He continued: “Too often, we hear people talking our borough down, but Walsall is on the rise. The challenges we face are not unique but what sets us apart is the determination and ambition that’s driving our transformation and creating positive change.
“We continue to work to raise Walsall’s profile regionally and nationally to secure much-needed investment. Working with our partners across health, enforcement, education and skills we have laid out our We Are Walsall 2040 plan to help tackle these inequalities across the borough.
He added: “Transformative projects are already underway delivering much-needed infrastructure and opportunities. These aren’t just plans; they’re happening now and Walsall’s future is bright.”