Britain’s most deprived town has been named as Walsall – and residents say the area is like living in a ‘real-life Shameless episode’, where the homeless earn more than market stall owners.
The Demos-PwC Good Growth for Cities Index 2025 named the Black Country town, once the centre of the UK’s leather industry, as having the worst quality of life.
Some locals said it was akin to living in a ‘war zone’, with many too scared to leave their homes at night due to gang violence and drug addiction.
Residents say the town, which used to boast major retailers and independent stores, had steadily declined over the last 20 years due to many factors, including rising unemployment and a lack of investment.
Daniel Briars, 40, said: ‘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.’
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One resident who lives on the infamous Blakenall estate – previously dubbed Britain’s roughest – said Walsall deserved the moniker as the worst place in the country.
‘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,’ he explained.
‘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 was also named the second least healthy high street and third worst job market in the country, according to the study.
The Good Cities Index is based on a city’s economy and says the town struggled more than anywhere else for growth in the past year.
The list is based on 12 different categories, including job availability, skill level of the working population and housing affordability.
One market trader, who would only give his name as David, added: ‘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.’
Walsall resident Alan Sharrat, 79, grandad-of-two, a retired retail worker, said: ‘It used to be a fantastic thriving town, but now there are more empty shops than being used. It’s a shame.
‘When I was at school in the 50s, it was a thriving area. There was a market in the town centre, and you could buy anything you wanted to.’
Alan said he thinks unemployment is what’s causing many of the town’s issues, but says he doesn’t even know what the town centre is like anymore, as he wouldn’t ‘dream’ of going there, given all the crime.
High street shopper Sam said she was moving to Poland to escape the area after claiming she felt unsafe on the streets.
Community workers Andrew and Jayne, both 38, said a lack of amenities and violence in the area made the result unsurprising.
Andrew said: ‘You’re more likely to get caught up in knife crime here than 90% of the UK. There are not as many amenities as in other areas, and it has one of the highest council tax rises.’
Jayne, who goes into schools to teach first aid, said Year 6 students were having anti-stabbing ambassadors come speak to them at the age of nine or ten.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader of Walsall Council, defended Walsall.
‘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,’ he said.
‘We continue to work to raise Walsall’s profile regionally and nationally to secure much-needed investment. Transformative projects are already underway, delivering much-needed infrastructure and opportunities.’
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