Was I a little harsh yesterday? I thought to myself this morning. I had had a few to drink, wasn't in the best of moods and took it out on Lancaster. Looking to make it up to the place after my unbalanced criticism, I got up early to be the first to the Lancaster Museum of Art, but the scrumpy fiends had beaten me there, already congregating on the museum steps. The main shopping street is charmingly named Cheapside, and it is awash with empty storefronts, 'ceased trading' notices and 'to let' signs. There is a Poundland, Pound Fever and a Pound Bakery where some things are half price. Emerald Aisle, purtortedly purveyors of fine quality jewellery, offers cash for scrap gold, as does Cash Converters. Cheapside also has two Gregg's, one of which is missing an 'E'. There seems very little to do in the evenings other than go to one of the pubs that isn't boarded up, the 80s retro nightclub Hustle, or Cashino, the local reel gambling emporium. All in all, there are absolutely no redeeming features in this malnourished high street that I was able to see. I think it is definitely the lack of tourism that's enjoyed by so many of the places I've visited that's to blame for this apparent lack of prosperity and any sense of welcome which has left me disappointed, saddened and without any fondness for this charmless and depressing town centre. Slough of the north.
The museum is shut on Mondays.
Mr Cheery
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