Introducing our new monthly column Vale Matters by Councillor Craig Reeves, independent ward representative for Harvington and Norton at Wychavon District Council.
In the first edition Councillor Reeves gives his reaction to criticisms of Evesham on YouTube channel Turdtowns during a recent visit to Worcestershire.
By Councillor Craig Reeves
While the YouTuber Mr TurdTown does highlight some of the challenges our town centre faces, his reliance on sensationalist, emotive, and derogatory language undermines any credibility.
Referring to elderly residents as ‘old people limping about’, dismissing local authorities as ‘morons’, and suggesting that only those with ‘substandard GCSE results’ live here is rude and discriminatory. It’s simply a provocation for profit.
With poor production quality and little journalistic substance, I’d argue that the only thing less appealing than a walk through the Riverside Shopping Centre is enduring five minutes of TurdTown’s video.
The reality is that town centres across the UK are adapting to shifting shopping trends, and Evesham is no different. What the video fails to acknowledge are the genuine, locally driven efforts by businesses, organisations, and authorities to meet these challenges head-on and bring about positive change.
The Riverside Shopping Centre features heavily in the film, yet many residents will already be aware of Wychavon’s work to negotiate its purchase from the current owner, PJK Investments.
Securing this site will be a ‘silver bullet’ opportunity to regenerate the space, better connecting the Abbey Park with Bridge Street, revitalising the local economy, and improving wellbeing. This is Wychavon’s number one regeneration priority, and I’m grateful that we have this commitment from our council.
I have long been critical of the centre’s decline and the impact this has on our town’s identity. It was one of the reasons I decided to stand as a councillor – to push for greater transparency, steer focus and tackle these issues directly.
Since then, I have been fortunate to work with place and planning officers, the Evesham Placeboard, local organisations, and ward members – all committed to building local momentum and investment for uplift.
And progress is being made. While Wychavon are yet to announce a result from their efforts with the Riverside Shopping Centre, Evesham is already starting to emerge from the national downward trend.
Independent businesses are moving into once-vacant shops. Wychavon, with support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via the Evesham Placeboard, has invested in shopfront improvements. Meanwhile, exciting opportunities like the proposed David Lloyd development in Twyford signal investor confidence in the area.
The bigger picture is one of vision, dedication, and momentum. Evesham is a vibrant town, akin to a village with its intimate and vocal community. We are blessed with historical architecture, green spaces, and an engaged community.
Alongside the River Avon in Evesham. Picture courtesy of Visit Evesham.
With collaboration, commitment, and the proposed regeneration of the Riverside Shopping Centre, there is hope and focus on resolving the highlighted issues. In the same breath, it’s important to balance our challenges with the strength in our resilience, the beauty in our geography and the passion within our community.
