Bath’s Snow Hill faces challenges as wealth disparity grows, leaving residents behind.
Bath: When people visit Bath, they often rave about its famous sights. They mention the stunning weir, Bath Abbey, and the Roman Baths. But this only shows part of Bath’s story.
Bath is one of the richest yet most divided cities in the UK. Areas like Royal Crescent are home to millionaires. Meanwhile, places like Snow Hill tell a different tale.
Snow Hill is a working-class neighborhood in a wealthy city. It faces issues like classism and xenophobia. Berkeley House, a high-rise, provides short-term housing for those recovering from homelessness.
A local councillor shared that the council struggles to improve Snow Hill. Budget cuts have made it hard to help areas in need. The disconnect is clear when you leave the busy city center.
This problem isn’t new. A local resident mentioned in 2020 that people judge those from poorer areas. Five years later, little has changed, and hope for improvement seems dim.
Cllr John Leach represents Snow Hill. He believes years of austerity have hurt local councils. Most funds go to social care, leaving little for other services.
He said, “There’s no spare money. Everything has been cut down to the bone.” Snow Hill has real needs, but the council can do little to help.
John wants to make neighborhoods more attractive. He’s focused on repairing roads and adding greenery. Snow Hill is near London Road and often gets a bad reputation.
Despite this, some residents love living there. One man proudly shared he’s lived in Snow Hill for decades. Others seem to be just passing through.
Some residents distrust local government. Cllr Leach noted that some come from places where local officials have a bad reputation. They see him as untrustworthy.
However, not everyone feels this way. Rowan has lived in Snow Hill for 11 years. She’s raised her daughter there and is active in the community.
Rowan organizes events and beautifies the neighborhood. She describes Snow Hill as family-friendly with great access to the city and stunning views.
Rowan’s daughter loves their home and doesn’t want to move. Some buildings in Snow Hill are managed by Curo, which supports families who can’t afford to live in Bath.
Curo emphasizes the importance of mixed housing in city centers. They provide lower-cost homes for families and key workers in Bath.
Despite negative comments about Snow Hill, Cllr Leach sees deeper issues. He identifies classism, xenophobia, and anti-homeless sentiment as major problems.
Berkeley House symbolizes these challenges. It offers short-term housing for those recovering from homelessness. Some negative comments may reflect broader societal issues.
However, Cllr Leach admits Snow Hill isn’t the prettiest area. Bath and North East Somerset is generally less deprived, but inequality is growing.
Child poverty rates are concerning, especially when housing costs are considered. There are significant variations in poverty across different areas.
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