"IT BREAKS my heart," says Linda Collier, casting a despondent look down Leigh's deserted high street.
It's just gone 3pm on a Wednesday and Linda and her husband, Patrick, are closing up for the day.
Their cafe, The Coffee Bar, has been in Linda's family since 1961 and has hosted generations of Leythers.
She grew up in the flat above the cafe, in Bradshawgate and has spent much of her life there.
"In the past 63 years, I don't think there have been many days when I've not been on this street," she explained.
"I grew up here, I played out here. My first job was in here, emptying ashtrays when I was two." Over the last half a century, Linda has witnessed plenty of change in Leigh town centre.
But over the last 10 years, she says the town has changed for the worse.
Drugs and antisocial behaviour are 'rife, she claims, while shoplifting is becoming an problem.
increasing "This used to be a thriving town but the past 10 years, it's rife with drugs," she said. "It's deteriorating.
"This town is crawling with drug addicts and dealers. People are afraid to go out in the evening.
"We need some law and order, we really do. Everybody in Leigh agrees that we need more police." After the upcoming general election, Linda is hoping something will change.
She and her husband intend to vote for Labour in the hope that Sir Keir Starmer and his party can address the issues blighting their hometown.
Patrick, a former engineer whose father worked down one of Leigh's mines, believes a Labour government will "make a difference" after 14 years of Conservative rule.
"They can't be any worse," he said.
"I just want a better future for our kids and grandkids. We have two sons and two daughters-in-law. All four of them work and they are struggling."
Linda and Patrick are not the only ones hungry for change on July 4.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 01, 2024 من Manchester Evening News.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 01, 2024 من Manchester Evening News.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
I've gone from this kid with a dream to singing for the Pope
SCOTTISH SINGER EMELI SANDÉ REFLECTS ON RECONNECTING WITH HER ROOTS AND TAKING CONTROL OF HER MUSIC THROUGH STARTING HER OWN LABEL.
'Annoyed' Blues boss is 'obsessively' working to halt a dismal run of form
PEP Guardiola is 'annoyed' and 'obsessively' looking for a solution to City's drastic drop in form.
Coe has appetite for change in IOC
LONDON 2012 GURU IS OUT TO REFORM OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
Hospice funding help is welcomed
HOSPICES in England have welcomed a multimillion funding boost but the Government has been accused of “giving with one hand and taking with the other” amid costs caused by a national insurance rise.
Starmer backs Siddiq
SIR Keir Starmer has backed Tulip Siddiq, Downing Street indicated, after the Treasury minister was named in an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh.
'Uncertainty' is cause of rate freeze
THE Bank of England has held interest rates at 4.75% due to “heightened uncertainty in the economy” following the UK Budget and US presidential election.
The art of connecting with nature
I will always insist that getting outdoors is the best way to engage with the amazing nature we have in Manchester.
Drug dealer lived high life before arrest
A DRUG dealer who enjoyed luxury holidays in Dubai with his ill-gotten gains was caught out after being stopped in the street by police.
100mph racer killed England youth footballer
A 'BOY racer' who reached speeds of almost 100mph at an unauthorised car meet later struck and killed a budding young footballer.
Charity calls for inquiry into GMP use of Traveller dispersal order
A CHARITY representing Romani Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller communities has brought an official complaint against Greater Manchester Police following the force’s controversial use of a dispersal order.