Plymouth! The City of Struggles and Troubles 🇬🇧

In this video I show you my home city here in the UK, the city of Plymouth! Now this place has a very mixed reputation around the country despite being a very historical city it's now being called the eye sore of the south west! So in this video I show you the roughest parts of Plymouth from the notorious Union Street to the iconic Plymouth Hoe.
We meet the characters of Plymouth who share their life stories and explore the parts as well which explains why they call this the city of struggles and troubles. Welcome to Plymouth! 🇬🇧
Instagram - / backpacker.ben
Contact me 📧 - [e-mail]
the local lads I spoken to at the fountain - Instagram
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iaanmyers
jams.aw.

[@bioesteticaortomolecular]

Brazilian here ! My family and I used to live in Bournemouth then in the pandemic we moved to Plymouth (yesss I know😅) we stayed only 2 years,also during this time my baby was born (at Derriford hospital,was a wonderful experience,no concerns about it),then we came back to Brazil .Plymouth its very different from Bournemouth but we moved because the prices to rent a flat 3 bedrooms in Bournemouth at that point was incredibly expensive and in Plymouth wasn't to bad..But I can see now that things are changing quickly in UK economy..in whole world but see rich countries like US and England in this crises its scary. PS:You know guys that we have one of the best coffee in the world here but I just want to say that I still drinking British tea(with milk of course !at 5 o'clock 😂).Love to you all ,England its my 2o country from my ❤ Best wishes from Brazil

[@boilingwateronthestove]

The UK is a country in severe decay and we need more videos like these.

[@NightLife-cd6yd]

have u been living under a rock@@joycecottingham9432

[@veritas2145]

All part of a plan.

[@rodden1953]

@@joycecottingham9432 Managed Decline Never vote Tory

[@rodden1953]

@@veritas2145exactly

[@funny7]

not where i live, its bloody lovely round here

[@user-wg6fw4ou1b]

As a young sailor in the USN I had a visit to Plymouth onboard the USS Essex, the year was 1957, I remember it as a nice town great people.

[@BackpackerBen]

🤝

[@mikesam347]

1957, how old was you then.... 20 something ?

[@Mrgunsngear]

🇺🇸

[@lemonlime8949]

Awesome man would love to hear more of your stories

[@kenttheboomer721]

I was in Plymouth back in 1983 or so, courtesy of the US Navy. Union St. was where all the clubs were. It was hopping. A shipmate of mine entered a vodka drinking competition and picked up the bottle and drank it like water. He then passed out and was in a coma for day, returning to the ship after about two weeks. Nice shops too. Got some of the coolest clothes I ever had from Plymouth. And my introduction to the "Rag Mag".

[@ultimatemagic2125]

Great comments here, love to hear this. I was 4 in 1983, have lived in Plymouth my entire life.

[@NoOrdinaryRabbit93]

I lived in Plymouth for three years as a student and only have positive things to say about both the city and the people. It's definitely experienced better days but what always struck me was the attitude of the locals who although feeling abandoned by Westminster, just keep smiling and keep pushing forward. And I always love visiting

[@biking-viking-claus-andersen]

Cat is capable of making any location shine, with her quirky Portuguese charm. So keep taking her along mate and you will make the world look a little better 🙂

[@kennethsanders2434]

I was in Plymouth about 6 years ago and enjoyed it. One thing I remember was the ability to walk around and not worry too much about crime-something unheard of in cities in the states. My wife is originally from there . I remember going on a pub crawl down on the barbican and really enjoyed it. I ended up at the kings head and my wife said the locals kept giving me free beer and played “born in the USA” . Overall enjoyed my time, will be coming back this summer and am interested to see how much it has changed. Thanks for posting this! I really enjoy your channel .

[@stuartas75]

I lived there in the mid90's and it was great. Went back to visit 5 yrs ago and couldn't believe how bad it as become. Very sad

[@Old-Reg]

What on earth has happened to England, It may not have been perfect but I remember the 70s and life was much better 😔

[@LeeAnderssonMP]

Lets think, they all voted "Tory." There you go.

[@isakakfi01]

Grey, gloomy with cold and boarded up buildings. Totally neglected. I guess Pakistan and England have one thing in common, crook politicians.

[@georgemulford2910]

1. Overinflated centralised fiat currency 2. Massive government and cost of running it 3. Unaccountable government debt 4. No way for people to meaningfully escape it

[@MattyEngland]

​@@LeeAnderssonMPTory, labour, they're all the same WEF puppets.

[@Watfordfc2030]

@@LeeAnderssonMPLabour have never ever done any better infact worse . I’m no fan of the Tory party but for Christ sake there not to blame on everything are they

[@JohnVilla1960]

I was based in Plymouth during the early to mid 80s and Union Street was packed every night. The Grand Theatre pub you showed was a great pub, it was our starting pub for our ships company. I nearly cried when i walked down Union Street a couple of years ago. The decline of the Royal Navy in Plymouth has killed it. There used to be dozens of ships based there but now its a fraction of that. Being from Birmingham, I had the best years of my life in Plymouth. Plymouth will always have place in my heart.

[@welshhibby]

Totally agree, I loved Union Street back in the early 90's when I was in the mob.

[@ShaunLevett]

I like how Ben keeps it real and goes to Wetherspoons. We all know how bad it is, but it doesn’t matter. Its tradition. Just like drinking beer at 7AM in Gatwick airport.

[@BackpackerBen]

You know it

[@no_soy_rubio]

It's also part of the reason many independent pubs, with actual tradition, have closed down. They can't afford to compete

[@JoFuSoA]

@@BackpackerBen does Cat have an onlyf4ns account?

[@DMWBN3]

My local ‘Spoons was closed down last year!!! In Hove, Sussex. No more cheap pint & steak for £10-12. Or £6 breakfast.

[@patriciahadley2374]

@ShaunLevett. Well, if people continue going to Wetherspoons to eat that disgusting and embarrassing food, they must be masochists. I'd rather eat a million times at home than throw my money into such low level food. 'Cheap' can be bad taste and bad for your health. 🤢🤢😁

[@user-kl9hb1pm6w]

Grew up in Plymouth but I live in the US now. I’ll always have great memories of “Guzz”. I was lucky enough to attend Dance Academy in its last 2 years before the raid. An incredible set up with great DJ’s and amazing people. Ali baba’s and spicy spuds after partying all night .. the nostalgia. Ben your videos are great!

[@chuckmyd]

Ben, you left out some of the history of Plymouth Hoe. As mentioned it is a beautiful harbour but also strategic for the British Navy. More important and famous than the Beatles Sir Francis Drake was playing a game of bowls when the Spanish Armada was spotted. He quipped that he had time to finish his game before being off to pursue them and save England. Additionally, while visiting there we toured the harbour, visited the Pilgrim Steps, viewed docked British Destroyers and Plymouth Gin Distillery. Don’t sell your town short. I enjoyed our short stay and everywhere there is bad if you look for it. We enjoy your videos, commentary and love England.

[@chuckmyd]

No I haven’t, will have to check it out. Thanks for the suggestion @jettyharrison4377 !!!

[@davidtraceyatkins1089]

G day Ben, love your channel, hey, have you got Exeter in your sights for another video? My wife is from there and she has not been back since 2006. She is asking if you do, it would be nice. Keep up the great work mate. David

[@BackpackerBen]

summer will make a way better info vid

[@daydays12]

Franci Drake even came from near Plymouth, which the Beatles didn't. The Beatles = zero connection to Plymouth... except one gig ( my sister went to it) in a cinema which the Council has left to rot.

[@susanstewart5194]

I find these some of your best videos. Really enjoy seeing the towns and cities in the UK up close and personal that don't just show fluff.

[@BackpackerBen]

🤝

[@KtT-sn8cy]

These videos are the opposite however, they aren’t representative since they attempt at painting these cities as some sort of hellhole by showing only the most deprived of areas.

[@mathildeborde6341]

@@KtT-sn8cyyes but we know about the nice parts already.

[@WhyteRider]

I live in Plymouth for 5 years and it's got so much potential. It's starting to get better. By the sea, Cornwall next door and the Moors are fantastic places to explore. The indoor market place recently is starting to have an eclectic mix of street food stalls from around the world which was pleasing to see ☺️

[@NTL578]

I moved here 4 years ago myself and I agree. Being objective, it is getting better even since I moved here there are a few new things, but it does have a long way to go in a lot of areas.

[@jfennell3954]

I did a training course in Plymouth. Great city. I loved it. I want to go back.

[@walkabout16]

In the heart of the UK, where the sea meets the land, Lies the city of Plymouth, with stories to expand. A place of mixed reputation, where history unfolds, But struggles and troubles, its narrative holds. Backpacker Ben, with camera in hand, Embarks on a journey, to understand. From Union Street's grit, to Plymouth Hoe's grace, He captures the essence, of this complex place. The characters of Plymouth, with tales to tell, Their lives intertwined, with the city's swell. From highs to lows, they share their strife, In a city where challenges define life. Union Street, notorious and bold, A microcosm of the stories untold. Plymouth Hoe, iconic and grand, A contrast to the struggles, on every strand. Welcome to Plymouth, where history lies, And struggles and troubles, meet tearful eyes. Yet amidst the chaos, resilience blooms, In the city of struggles, where hope consumes. So let us explore, with open hearts and minds, The city of Plymouth, where resilience finds. For in the stories of struggles and troubles, we see, The strength of a city, resilient and free.

[@keithroberts8550]

In 1977 I was working away in Plymouth and we used to go to Union Street, it was thriving loads of pubs clubs military and MPs. Hooters was a very popular bar. Shame to see the decline. Thanks Ben.

[@johnpalmer5357]

WOW! I'm an Ex-Matelot and Union Street was like my spiritual home..... WOW, the state of it... I used to LOVE being there... looking at it now, I'll not be going back.

[@captainbadger1013]

I went to university there back 2001-2005 and visit most years since. The new shopping centre is so much better than the old precinct, but it has sucked the life out of the town and casued many shops to close. The big department stores are all gone. The Royal William Yard and Barbican are completely separate areas and full of nice restaurants and independent shops. Union Street has completely died. C103, Millennium and the Dance Academy were huge clubs and there would have been thousands of people out on a weekend. I guess you are too young to remember them Ben? I forgot to add that the new £47 million Box museum is open and a great addition to the city. They are currently renovating the city centre streets.

[@daydays12]

The previous Museum and Art Gallery and Public Library were great. Why spend 47 million£££ on the ugly Box and move the Library, with its local history collections to a disused concrete shop in Armada Way where trees aren't any more and no birds sing?

[@joegilbert3149]

Plymouth and Torquay are both really similar nowdays both was prosperous now both completely eyesore.

[@daydays12]

I have lived in both places ..... s a d.

[@harveysmith100]

I worked in Plymouth a few years ago. We rebuild a wall that goes around the dock yards, about 20m down by the ferry. It's a famous old wall that goes all around the dockyards. Anyway, just to say, the people of Plymouth were lovely to us. Union St is a shame, full of beautiful old buildings not being looked after, neither are some of the locals, boarded up buildings but people sleeping on the streets. I did get to see Drakes Island from the Hoe, hadn't seen it since I was 14 on a school trip there for a week. Happy memories.

[@oliverselle2861]

I lived in Plymouth in 1970s and 1980s. Union Street in the late 1980s was wild. The city was nice and fairly well organised. Wages weren't great and jobs hard to find. But still, it was not as grotty as in your video. Decay in the UK has a lot to do with the debt based money system in my opinion. Nothing is sustainable because the debt based economy relies on growth. If it's not growing the wages stagnate to produce the needed inflation. Nothing is built to last, it's all about quick turnover. Government needs taxes and inflation to pay interest on ever growing debt. They think immigration will keep growth going but I think it's just life support for a dying system. The UK has been going into decay for many years and it's very sad. In my memory a England is a great nation, but in reality it's turned into a dump. Only a small minority of super wealthy people are profiting while normal people are watching their country decaying in real time. 🖤

[@harveysmith100]

@@oliverselle2861 A very observant comment. If each year the Uber wealthy take a bigger share of the pie, there isn't much left for normal people and thus an economy

[@oliverselle2861]

I was shocked to learn that Rishi Sunak the prime minister has a personal fortune of 700 million. So being that wealthy he can easily expect 25 to 30 million a year in earnings from his fortune, obviously using all the tax loopholes possible. Working class people pay their tax deducted directly before payout. Small buisnesses are being crushed by taxes and inflation, along with higher energy prices. Debt based money is scam unless your able to leverage debt to accumulate assets.

[@genaburghoff340]

Strange you would spend so much time dwelling on the negative for your home town. Union Street is one street. Hope you show more of the positive in your next video.

[@daydays12]

@@genaburghoff340 For example???

[@victorhughgo2376]

Look at that beautiful Portuguese smile, she lights up the place doesn't she? What a ray of sunshine she is. I was getting depressed bro! She even had a nice Latte' waiting for you. Behind you at that cafe, I could see the sun rising, the clouds parting. Like the old saying goes, Home is where the heart is. You probably still have some love for it, if you have family there and good memories. Those clean cut youngsters you spoke to briefly, that's the hope of the future, that's what they are Ben. Even those two Afghan kids were fairly clean cut. I didn't see any hooligans that I could judge to be involved or engaged in hooliganisms. That's a good thing for Plymouth and the UK.

[@jamieb5317]

The beatles photo of them crossing the road was outside the abbey road studio in London, not Liverpool, thats where they're from.

[@1flo]

Thanks for continuing the UK tour. I really appreciate it! I hope you will do some more episodes.

[@fergusrobertson8831]

I was a student there from 1987-1991. Fantastic night scene with a different club having "student night" every day of the week and very affordable. Locals were friendly but we avoided Union St on the weekends. I went back in 2018 for a night and was amazed at how much it had declined. Great memories.

[@BackpackerBen]

🤝

[@kv2483]

I was born in Plymouth. Dragged up in medway kent. No matter how bad a picture you've shown. I'm still drawn and yearn to go back and live there. It's in my heart always.

[@BackpackerBen]

Same 🤝

[@johnywaffle1365]

Im from Bristol and ive only ever been to Home park, the home of Plymouth Argyle. Love your content. Been watching loads of your videos of late. So funny at times

[@BackpackerBen]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@mikedalt3622]

Geddon Janner

[@viv73903]

I really like Plymouth. We came down for the Sunderland game. I now have a soft spot for PA, as I met some brilliant supporters, some of who came from Camborne. Thought the shopping centre was good, much better than what we have in Hertfordshire.

[@carloregalado7751]

Kat's smiles are something, aren't they? Oh hey Ben nice UK content. Keep me coming. Thanks.

[@BackpackerBen]

Thanks! Will do!

[@jacob9593]

Ngl Plymouth is a really nice place, it feels safe and people have pride in where they live which by UK standards is pretty fucking good

[@brassica35]

Exactly this. As a Plymouth native, I totally appreciate my city as much as I can get disillusioned by it. It's in balance. Inept councils are to blame. I totally understand that videos such as this are there to highlight degradation and I get that. But it's still such a shame that, as locals, we know of those little nuggets of gold about our city that aren't portrayed. Such as - much lower crime rates than other cities, a thriving and well-respected university that brings culture/diversity, a great modern museum, being an ocean city, The Hoe (yes, the The Hoe was mentioned - but that was the only positive) and lovely Barbican/Plymouth Gin Distillery/The National Aquarium, The Lido, many lovely parks, woods and green spaces across the city. Looking at the footage of the derelict old ABC cinema was very sad, but it made it look like we didn't have any other cinemas! It should've mentioned that we have a city centre cinema, an out of city one and an Arts Cinema in the city centre. I also thought it a bit silly that it looked like the only cooked breakfast available was at Wetherspoons! What about eating at the fabulous Plymouth family-owned Early Bird on Mayflower St in the town centre? It also could've been mentioned how our local businessman Chris Dawson bailed out our town centre Wilkinsons - that would've been something positive to mention. Plymouth was bombed during WWII and that's why some of our architecture is an eyesore. We are certainly, on the whole, very lucky to live where we do, compared to others places up and down the country.

[@leeakers6422]

It was a really nice place. It’s a dump now

[@monicanath4859]

It looks like a really beautiful, peaceful place! I do hope they can rebuild Union Street and the city centre slowly!

[@lukeo85]

Looks like a shit hole to me.

[@leeakers6422]

@@monicanath4859 It used to be. I’ve grown up here, they’ve run it down and the people here are not as nice and respectful as they once were, standards have declined here big time.

[@markslade6848]

Hi Ben. Glad to see "Birdman" dancing outside Poundland at 11:20 He has been around the streets enjoying himself since I was a teenager in the mid 90s. Glad to see you both look well. Much love from another Plymouthian.

[@junebug14344]

That explains why you kept on traveling Ben. Nice sharing your hometown. More UK vid please.

[@BackpackerBen]

You got it! If it doesn’t drive me mad 😆

[@mikem9892]

I'm a Yank would love to see him do some vids of small towns out and about the English countryside

[@shell_gone_awol]

​@@mikem9892you would be surprised as not all English country towns are nice, some are beautiful though. I lived in Ripley in Derbyshire, countryside all around but the area was a dump, it's boring & lots of drink & alcohol problems. It was an old mining town & after the mining industry closed, a lot of people lost their jobs & those towns have become deprived so I would like to see Ben film some of those old run down mining towns of England.

[@jagoisvara8178]

@@BackpackerBen you disrespected your home town by only showing the bad side of it. All large cities have bad things. In Plymouth the good things FAR outweigh the bad. C'mon.

[@paulwilliams8725]

I worked on the door at the really old rave club on Union Street in 1993 was like a theatre inside, good times

[@wudymiani2481]

Hey Ben, glad that you finally released a video about Plymouth. I've been waiting for it for such a long time. At Uni, I used to walk down to Union Street from Mutley Plain (all the way downhill) to meet up with my mates in the dodgy Stonehouse area. After a couple of rounds in Union Rooms, we would have proceeded to Grosvenor, finishing the night being absolutely broken and pissed. I'aint no luck betting there. The city centre is kinda grim tbh (it reminds me a bit of Coventry at times, they both go hand in hand due to the Blitz), full of chavs and beggars in every corner, asking for pennies from every passerby. I've found it odd not to see you bumping into any of them. However, they opened a museum last year, which is well-preserved and managed, so it would have been worth mentioning it. The Plymouth Hoe is nice, but merely over the summertime, along with a barbecue on Sunday morning. Apart from that, it's definitely dull. Also, a stroll along Mutley Plain would have been interesting, a bit rough at the edge, but a cool place for getting a pint. Take care mate.

[@db01brighton]

I lived in Plymouth in the 80's - Ziggy's was a cool club off Union Street with club nights run by Jeff Barrett who has Heavenly Records now - we had great early gigs there with Jesus and Mary Chain etc. Also Woods / Monroes too. The Minerva was the only pub that was safe for punk types to go to without getting punched though!

[@no_soy_rubio]

Mad isn't it. People don't care about the town/city centres anymore. Shopping online is easier, cheaper and means you don't have to go into the nasty, hostile high streets. No investment from government or councils to attract people into towns/cities because it's not in their interests. The only places that seem to be doing well are bookies (so we gamble our money away) off-licences (so we drink our lives away), fast food places (so we can eat ourselves into obesity) and vape shops. Oh yeah and barbers which are basically fronts for money-laundering. Anyway, I'm leaving next month, see ya when I see ya blighty. Great video Ben!

[@Carts147]

Where are you heading to?

[@no_soy_rubio]

@@Carts147 gonna be travelling full-time as a digital nomad mostly in Latin America to start with. Will be documenting it all on my channel

[@markferguson7563]

There are two other KZbin channels I’ve watched a number of times, which also bemoan the economic and, MOREOVER, sociological demise of big towns and cities across England. All of the dire circumstances afflicting these places have come to pass through a confluence of causes. I’m nearly 70, which means I was in my early 20s when the Lima Declaration was inaugurated on May 1, 1975. In essence, the purpose of the Lima Declaration entailed Western manufactures being able to dismantle factories, which produced anything from motor vehicles, fridges and washing machines and right through to furniture in their own hemispheres and transferring them to places in the Developing (formerly the Third) World. The innate motivation for transferring the means to produce manufactured commodities was purported to be the means to assist poorer societies to enhance their wealth. And whilst that aspect certainly came to pass with countries in Asia, initially with South Korea, and Taiwan and by the mid-1980s with China, this date and event was also the death-knell for Western nations. The three worst affected Western nations from the Lima Declaration were France, the US, and worst of all with Britian: pertinently with England. Within a decade of the Lima Declaration being signed, at least 60 major manufacturing hubs in the nominated trio of countries, were dismantled and transferred to a developing society in Asia. However, with respect to the US, it also lost manufacturing capacity to Mexico, in the NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement]. began to crumble. Quite simply, due to these major manufacturing capacities being closed down across Britain (once more, ostensibly in England), and transferred to a foreign base between the mid-1970s, and as far as the late-1980s, is the intrinsic reason why the country is now in the diabolical economic and sociological kerfuffle we’re bearing witness to, via the KZbinrs covering these events. But how incredible it is that, in both Britain, and the United States, which have been economically ravaged by having their manufacturing bases disassembled from around 5 decades (thereby, making, perhaps, as many as 10 million made redundant: either directly, or indirectly), are now both, and, mindboggling so with the US, being inundated with millions of il-educated, and low-skilled interlopers from Third World countries. With regards to the US, it’s estimated that 700,000 people (of the near on 8 million that have arrived in the past three years) JUST FROM sub-Saharan Africa, with education levels that equate to between year 7 to 9 levels, have managed to permeate its dominions. And, INDEED, hardly ANY of THEM have any worthwhile skills needed to contribute. But the common-denominator with both Britain, and the US, with germane respect to the interlopers who are invading their territories, is to have councils and charities bending over backwards to throw them some money (albeit, rather small amounts), and to house them: AT THE EXPENSE OF THEIR TAXPAYERS: Yet, in the exact same interim, they can’t find accommodation for their own displaced citizens to live in. Apropos to that, Back Packer Ben, interviews a refugee as to how and what he’s doing. To that we find he’s living in student accommodation, whilst studying electrical related skills. Alas, what wasn’t queried is with how, who and why is paying for all of these nuances. Needless to say, his accommodation and education costs are, one more, being paid by British taxpayers. Speaking of which, it’s estimated that the tax payers of Britain will have a billion pounds of THEIR money spent on, and directed to these interlopers to sustain them, JUST in the coming year. Alas, it wasn’t just bad enough that, the equivalent of the WEF, back in 1975, ordained the agenda to dismantle wealth producing, and job generating capacities for Western nations, which culminates with the sociological dystopias in Western nations, but now we’re being swamped with millions of people from the Third World who will OVERWHELMINGLY NEVER, EVER be of a NET-BENEFIT to any society that they occupy.

[@NTL578]

I randomly saw your leaving video. Good luck mate.

[@no_soy_rubio]

@@NTL578 thanks mate, appreciate it 🙏

[@michaelharris6020]

I've lived in Plymouth since 1985 and the city centre has slowly deteriorated since then. The councils and governments have totally messed everything up,the lack of services for ordinary people is appalling and sadly its probably the same all over the country for a lot of places. That said the people of plymouth I have always found to be just great,friendly,easy going,decent straightforward people. Plymouth does have lovely surroundings,the hoe and sound. The barbican of course.The slaughter of the trees in the city centre was nothing short of an outrage! Sorry for going on,just wanted to say my bit. The sooner Sunak and all his corrupt cronies are out the better. Happy travels

[@daydays12]

Thank you for that 🙂 I agree... and the tree massacre leaves me speechless

[@daydays12]

me too!! I weep for my city of origin - from age 1 to age 23

[@scottmccutcheon9828]

Ben, at the beginning of the viseo when you said, ".....I've never shown you guys my home town of Plymouth.....," I thought to myself, this would be a fine time for Catarina to appear. Well, lo and behold.....!! SPLENDID job, mate! And Catarina had the latte and Portuguese version of crumpets waiting for you, too!! Good show Catarina!! CHEERS to both pf you!! From far West Texas.

[@janeldunn65]

Good to see the dream team back together 😊

[@AsalKh1]

Sad to see city's condition. it's just not only Plymouth, you drive 5 minutes outside london it is more or less the same.

[@kat.harris186]

❤❤Awesome Kat is back 😻I just love her and I hope y'all had a wonderful Valentine's Day 💕Great video 🥰sad about all the abandoned building's 😿stay safe 💖love from Oklahoma

[@EastUpperGooner]

Laughing my head of at the several scenes at the start where Cat has to pretend she's not there 😂

[@chrisorourke2749]

Oz was the club on union street i went to in the 90's. Worked down there the summer of 96, great days, great club, great people.

[@markferguson7563]

There are two other KZbin channels I’ve watched a number of times, which also bemoan the economic and, MOREOVER, sociological demise of big towns and cities across England. All of the dire circumstances afflicting these places have come to pass through a confluence of causes. I’m nearly 70, which means I was in my early 20s when the Lima Declaration was inaugurated on May 1, 1975. In essence, the purpose of the Lima Declaration entailed Western manufactures being able to dismantle factories, which produced anything from motor vehicles, fridges and washing machines and right through to furniture in their own hemispheres and transferring them to places in the Developing (formerly the Third) World. The innate motivation for transferring the means to produce manufactured commodities was purported to be the means to assist poorer societies to enhance their wealth. And whilst that aspect certainly came to pass with countries in Asia, initially with South Korea, and Taiwan and by the mid-1980s with China, this date and event was also the death-knell for Western nations. The three worst affected Western nations from the Lima Declaration were France, the US, and worst of all with Britian: pertinently with England. Within a decade of the Lima Declaration being signed, at least 60 major manufacturing hubs in the nominated trio of countries, were dismantled and transferred to a developing society in Asia. However, with respect to the US, it also lost manufacturing capacity to Mexico, in the NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement]. began to crumble. Quite simply, due to these major manufacturing capacities being closed down across Britain (once more, ostensibly in England), and transferred to a foreign base between the mid-1970s, and as far as the late-1980s, is the intrinsic reason why the country is now in the diabolical economic and sociological kerfuffle we’re bearing witness to, via the KZbinrs covering these events. But how incredible it is that, in both Britain, and the United States, which have been economically ravaged by having their manufacturing bases disassembled from around 5 decades (thereby, making, perhaps, as many as 10 million made redundant: either directly, or indirectly), are now both, and, mindboggling so with the US, being inundated with millions of il-educated, and low-skilled interlopers from Third World countries. With regards to the US, it’s estimated that 700,000 people (of the near on 8 million that have arrived in the past three years) JUST FROM sub-Saharan Africa, with education levels that equate to between year 7 to 9 levels, have managed to permeate its dominions. And, INDEED, hardly ANY of THEM have any worthwhile skills needed to contribute. But the common-denominator with both Britain, and the US, with germane respect to the interlopers who are invading their territories, is to have councils and charities bending over backwards to throw them some money (albeit, rather small amounts), and to house them: AT THE EXPENSE OF THEIR TAXPAYERS: Yet, in the exact same interim, they can’t find accommodation for their own displaced citizens to live in. Apropos to that, Back Packer Ben, interviews a refugee as to how and what he’s doing. To that we find he’s living in student accommodation, whilst studying electrical related skills. Alas, what wasn’t queried is with how, who and why is paying for all of these nuances. Needless to say, his accommodation and education costs are, one more, being paid by British taxpayers. Speaking of which, it’s estimated that the tax payers of Britain will have a billion pounds of THEIR money spent on, and directed to these interlopers to sustain them, JUST in the coming year. Alas, it wasn’t just bad enough that, the equivalent of the WEF, back in 1975, ordained the agenda to dismantle wealth producing, and job generating capacities for Western nations, which culminates with the sociological dystopias in Western nations, but now we’re being swamped with millions of people from the Third World who will OVERWHELMINGLY NEVER, EVER be of a NET-BENEFIT to any society that they occupy.

[@tegannorthwood1891]

I’m on board with a lot of the historic factors of decline you’ve outlined, but I don’t think it’s quite right about immigrants being completely subsidised to be there. Let me tell you as a white, first-world Australian who wanted to immigrate to the UK (if only I could get a visa to be allowed to work there) it’s really hard to do this. You can’t get on benefits there and it’s illegal to work without a visa so you have to be able to survive doing dodgy cash work for 4+ years (I think it was) until you can apply for permanent residency. If I wanted to study in the UK I’d have to pay huge international student fees, to do a masters; for all my own living expenses, without being able to earn. So I don’t know how the immigrants you’re talking about are being supported by your governments there - unless maybe they’re refugees??? I don’t know.

[@markferguson7563]

@@tegannorthwood1891 Tegan, I am also an Australian, and have travelled through England/Scotland, and the US/Canada, too, on many occasions between 1984-2013 and I can't believe how all of these places have sunk into sociological cesspits. All of which are directly linked to these societies actually facilitating influxes of people with no worthwhile skills, and let alone decent standards of education to benefit these societies. This brings me to answering your perceptions. Just prior to Christmas I rang the office of the Member for Ipswich (in England) Tom Hunt, and his staff member put him on to chat with me. And one of the things I asked him about was: How do the hundreds of thousands of people in Britain illegally, survive (which are basically some of the things that you've just espouse)? Tom Hunt's reply to that was with saying: "How most of these limbo immigrants survive, is because they work illegally for wages that are no more than 60 percent of what's lawfull. Unfortunately, it's nigh on being an impossibility to be able to just track down the scum employers expoliting these vulnerable people, let alone being able to prosecute them". However, Tom also told me that illegal immigrants are ceded benefits by the government, too. And a few councils in London's broughs, at least 6 of the 50, fast-track them into properties they control. But, whatever it is or, it isn't, the grave tragedy for all the societies that have allowed people from Third World cradles to swarm in over the past 20 years have sealed their fates for sociological oblivion, because the vast, majority will never get much past the first or second rung of the socio-economic ladder.

[@markferguson7563]

Tegan, to garner what I'm suggesting with Britain being destroyed from mass-immigration of non-Europeans can be found in the SkyNews Australia story from april 3, titled: 'UK becoming 'literally unrecognisable' from migrant invasion.' Trgaically, the people in Britain that open-borders are going to most rabidly afflict are those under 40 years of age who have been pickled-up in the previous 30 years and, indeed, nutralised into believing that, only racists and xenophobes want to control immigration.

[@daydays12]

Destroying mature trees and the birds that nest in them , as Plymouth has just done is nothing to do with economic decline ....

[@calamitycarl]

I'm from Plymouth too. Good to see a successful youtuber from here. You've done really well.

[@BackpackerBen]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@cadian9432]

It actually breaks my heart watching this. I was in the navy and was based in Plymouth from 2010-2014. It was clear that Union Street and the city centre was a shadow of itself even back then. But, I had some great times there. Now, watching this, it’s not even a shadow of what it was 🥺.

[@nadineproost1766]

On the contrary, it’s improved vastly since 2014. This video skips over the dozens of brilliant independent businesses along the street, doesn’t mention Plymouth’s biggest annual street party and forgets that The Millennium and C103 are now in community ownership and being redeveloped. Zero engagement with any of the fab organisations and Ben only spoke with three blokes - not a true reflection at all! Lots more to be done, but come see for yourself, we’re here!

[@Bean9211]

please stop. everyone is noticing how bad Plymouth has gotten. full of foreigners walking around staring at woman trying to peacock at men, walking around shouting on facetime and rapping in public@@nadineproost1766

[@daydays12]

@@nadineproost1766 Why destroy more than 100 mature trees in Armada Way? Why leave Union Street to rot? Why so much concrete? Why an empty boarded up high rise in town?

[@jagoisvara8178]

@@nadineproost1766 FACTS. This video ONLY shows the negative sides, but the positives hugely outweigh them. Poor taste to make a disingenuous video about your hometown.

[@daydays12]

@@jagoisvara8178 Can you provide examples of modern positives.....?

[@shanemoran8260]

I ben thank you for sharing your experiences love the channel looks a very interesting place no place like look forward to more videos love from Dublin

[@terrykemp8131]

Great video Ben' I have fond memories of Plymouth back in the day. Shopping in Dingles and one night we ended up on Union Street, at Diamond Lil's bar. things change and all that's gone. However, there is always the Barbican and Plymouth Hoe> I once visited the gallery of the Plymouth legend artist Robert Lenkiewicz, who allegedly killed his wife. The surrounding scenery of Plymouth is amazing and so are the locals.

[@fionanicholson1995]

Went there about 34 years ago for a surf comp weekend. Partied all weekend. Great memories!

[@williamk9490]

I live a few miles away from Plymouth and I go there sometimes, it's an interesting place with some nice scenery best seen on a fine summer day, there are also lots to see from history. This video shows some of these buildings from past times and although they are all decaying and run down, I find them very interesting.

[@Louis-eh7mo]

Watched bald and Simon for years and subscribed to you now mate, I bumped into Simon in a coffee shop a few weeks back, genuine sound lad! Looking forward to see all your ventures for this year! Nice to see some positivity restored in the current climate!

[@BackpackerBen]

thank you mate! appreciate that

[@rorygielarowski8972]

One of your Best! Thanks

[@donfranktv]

Jesus, Plymouth has changed so much since i was last there 10 years ago - sad to see no money being put in to restore buildings or modernise anything.

[@qedamawiessene5827]

the money men want it to fall down so they can build more student accommodation and gated communities to make maximum profit

[@NTL578]

​@@qedamawiessene5827Where are these gated communities being built in Plymouth?

[@tobyrouse]

There is lots of development, and the Barbican and the Royal William Yard are humming. Ben is going for the grungy side....

[@daydays12]

@@tobyrouse The barbican escaped 're-development' by Abercrombie and his minions. Royal William Yard is very expensive flats and commercial development by Urban Splash Property development. Urban Slash was involved in constructing its developments with flammable cladding as used in Grenfell Tower. No connection to the citizens of Plymouth.

[@daydays12]

@@tobyrouse gated communities for the rich Union street left to rot. Half the city centre trees cut down the reveal the rotting concrete buildings with empty abandoned shops.

[@mrbillyman5557]

Every Weatherspoons has a completely unique carpet!

[@SirCarlosMusicBMI]

🎉🎉🎉 Thank you for another awesome video today. I Love watching and learning new things. It’s also nice to see Kat (Cat?) with you again 😊. Blessings,Carlos ✝️🙏❤️😊🇺🇸

[@ceecee1876]

Nice tour video of your Hometown Ben! Keeping it real! More videos to come!

[@AutismTwinsUs]

Made me laugh Ben, when you decide to do a long video in the summer be great to do it with you being from the muff myself , so many great places you could show , Plymouth has declined but so has everywhere in England, proud to be a janner and glad your flying the flag for Plymouth in KZbin , think what would be great would be a hike on Dartmoor with Mr Bald, and a wild camp , would make an epic video , be glad to arrange it with you in the summer months , ATB Adam

[@markferguson7563]

There are two other KZbin channels I’ve watched a number of times, which also bemoan the economic and, MOREOVER, sociological demise of big towns and cities across England. All of the dire circumstances afflicting these places have come to pass through a confluence of causes. I’m nearly 70, which means I was in my early 20s when the Lima Declaration was inaugurated on May 1, 1975. In essence, the purpose of the Lima Declaration entailed Western manufactures being able to dismantle factories, which produced anything from motor vehicles, fridges and washing machines and right through to furniture in their own hemispheres and transferring them to places in the Developing (formerly the Third) World. The innate motivation for transferring the means to produce manufactured commodities was purported to be the means to assist poorer societies to enhance their wealth. And whilst that aspect certainly came to pass with countries in Asia, initially with South Korea, and Taiwan and by the mid-1980s with China, this date and event was also the death-knell for Western nations. The three worst affected Western nations from the Lima Declaration were France, the US, and worst of all with Britian: pertinently with England. Within a decade of the Lima Declaration being signed, at least 60 major manufacturing hubs in the nominated trio of countries, were dismantled and transferred to a developing society in Asia. However, with respect to the US, it also lost manufacturing capacity to Mexico, in the NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement]. began to crumble. Quite simply, due to these major manufacturing capacities being closed down across Britain (once more, ostensibly in England), and transferred to a foreign base between the mid-1970s, and as far as the late-1980s, is the intrinsic reason why the country is now in the diabolical economic and sociological kerfuffle we’re bearing witness to, via the KZbinrs covering these events. But how incredible it is that, in both Britain, and the United States, which have been economically ravaged by having their manufacturing bases disassembled from around 5 decades (thereby, making, perhaps, as many as 10 million made redundant: either directly, or indirectly), are now both, and, mindboggling so with the US, being inundated with millions of il-educated, and low-skilled interlopers from Third World countries. With regards to the US, it’s estimated that 700,000 people (of the near on 8 million that have arrived in the past three years) JUST FROM sub-Saharan Africa, with education levels that equate to between year 7 to 9 levels, have managed to permeate its dominions. And, INDEED, hardly ANY of THEM have any worthwhile skills needed to contribute. But the common-denominator with both Britain, and the US, with germane respect to the interlopers who are invading their territories, is to have councils and charities bending over backwards to throw them some money (albeit, rather small amounts), and to house them: AT THE EXPENSE OF THEIR TAXPAYERS: Yet, in the exact same interim, they can’t find accommodation for their own displaced citizens to live in. Apropos to that, Back Packer Ben, interviews a refugee as to how and what he’s doing. To that we find he’s living in student accommodation, whilst studying electrical related skills. Alas, what wasn’t queried is with how, who and why is paying for all of these nuances. Needless to say, his accommodation and education costs are, one more, being paid by British taxpayers. Speaking of which, it’s estimated that the tax payers of Britain will have a billion pounds of THEIR money spent on, and directed to these interlopers to sustain them, JUST in the coming year. Alas, it wasn’t just bad enough that, the equivalent of the WEF, back in 1975, ordained the agenda to dismantle wealth producing, and job generating capacities for Western nations, which culminates with the sociological dystopias in Western nations, but now we’re being swamped with millions of people from the Third World who will OVERWHELMINGLY NEVER, EVER be of a NET-BENEFIT to any society that they occupy.

[@MadDogAdventures]

My mum, 2 sisters and I arrived in Plymouth, 1978, to get car ferry to Santander. We waited for hours, because of dock workers strike, only to find out Spain had just issued Visa requirements for Australians and South Africans. We had to go to Southhampton to get Visa. Good thing was there were 4 or 5 other families that had the same problem, so the adults and kids partied together for a couple of days until the next ferry

[@AdventuresofanoldSeadog]

Been away from home a long time so nice to see this. A good honest video. I know it can be a dump but its my home and I love it.

[@BackpackerBen]

I get ya 🤝

[@grantdeancommons5390]

The last part where you was high up seeing where the Beatles were is nice part of Plymouth,I used to visit my dad's uncle Fred when I was around 9 or 10 years of age ,it used to be a stopover before we holiday in Cornwall,so I do remember Plymouth vaguely ,nice review mate and Katarina she's lovely girl 👍🏼🙏🏼🙂

[@michaelclarke832]

I went to the art college in the mid nineties, union street was amazing, went back last year for a catch-up with some college friends and it’s a bit sad to see what it’s like now, the Barbican is still nice though

[@daydays12]

The Council has been able to destroy the barbican yet!!

[@daydays12]

I suppose they've tried.

[@_the_wessex_nomad_]

Great video, mate. I actually stayed at a hostel opposite that theatre a few years ago when I was gigging in Plymouth with a band I used to play in. I remember being surprised that it was derelict, and how the rest of the area was really run down. I had breakfast the next morning in that exact Wetherspoons, eating the exact same thing, funnily enough!

[@markferguson7563]

There are two other KZbin channels I’ve watched a number of times, which also bemoan the economic and, MOREOVER, sociological demise of big towns and cities across England. All of the dire circumstances afflicting these places have come to pass through a confluence of causes. I’m nearly 70, which means I was in my early 20s when the Lima Declaration was inaugurated on May 1, 1975. In essence, the purpose of the Lima Declaration entailed Western manufactures being able to dismantle factories, which produced anything from motor vehicles, fridges and washing machines and right through to furniture in their own hemispheres and transferring them to places in the Developing (formerly the Third) World. The innate motivation for transferring the means to produce manufactured commodities was purported to be the means to assist poorer societies to enhance their wealth. And whilst that aspect certainly came to pass with countries in Asia, initially with South Korea, and Taiwan and by the mid-1980s with China, this date and event was also the death-knell for Western nations. The three worst affected Western nations from the Lima Declaration were France, the US, and worst of all with Britian: pertinently with England. Within a decade of the Lima Declaration being signed, at least 60 major manufacturing hubs in the nominated trio of countries, were dismantled and transferred to a developing society in Asia. However, with respect to the US, it also lost manufacturing capacity to Mexico, in the NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement]. began to crumble. Quite simply, due to these major manufacturing capacities being closed down across Britain (once more, ostensibly in England), and transferred to a foreign base between the mid-1970s, and as far as the late-1980s, is the intrinsic reason why the country is now in the diabolical economic and sociological kerfuffle we’re bearing witness to, via the KZbinrs covering these events. But how incredible it is that, in both Britain, and the United States, which have been economically ravaged by having their manufacturing bases disassembled from around 5 decades (thereby, making, perhaps, as many as 10 million made redundant: either directly, or indirectly), are now both, and, mindboggling so with the US, being inundated with millions of il-educated, and low-skilled interlopers from Third World countries. With regards to the US, it’s estimated that 700,000 people (of the near on 8 million that have arrived in the past three years) JUST FROM sub-Saharan Africa, with education levels that equate to between year 7 to 9 levels, have managed to permeate its dominions. And, INDEED, hardly ANY of THEM have any worthwhile skills needed to contribute. But the common-denominator with both Britain, and the US, with germane respect to the interlopers who are invading their territories, is to have councils and charities bending over backwards to throw them some money (albeit, rather small amounts), and to house them: AT THE EXPENSE OF THEIR TAXPAYERS: Yet, in the exact same interim, they can’t find accommodation for their own displaced citizens to live in. Apropos to that, Back Packer Ben, interviews a refugee as to how and what he’s doing. To that we find he’s living in student accommodation, whilst studying electrical related skills. Alas, what wasn’t queried is with how, who and why is paying for all of these nuances. Needless to say, his accommodation and education costs are, one more, being paid by British taxpayers. Speaking of which, it’s estimated that the tax payers of Britain will have a billion pounds of THEIR money spent on, and directed to these interlopers to sustain them, JUST in the coming year. Alas, it wasn’t just bad enough that, the equivalent of the WEF, back in 1975, ordained the agenda to dismantle wealth producing, and job generating capacities for Western nations, which culminates with the sociological dystopias in Western nations, but now we’re being swamped with millions of people from the Third World who will OVERWHELMINGLY NEVER, EVER be of a NET-BENEFIT to any society that they occupy.

[@BackpackerBen]

Can’t believe you stayed in that hostel 😂

[@_the_wessex_nomad_]

@@BackpackerBen I've stayed in worse! 😅

[@buildingsbyair]

nice to revisit Plymouth in your video. I worked with someone in Newquay who hadnt been out of the county and Plymouth counted as abroad! I have a few tails of my life about Plymouth, but taking all in balance it's a thumbs up. (Lovely to see Cat/Kat with you)

[@christdiedforoursins1467]

Lovely video glad you had a bit of blue sky for cat . Nice chats with all the characters.👍bless you all and the preacher man 😅... mosquito Nice view at the end .sure some looks a but run down but there are warm people.

[@waitaminute2015]

I used to live near Plymouth Massachusetts and still visit when I can. Of course its full of history and lovely scenery.

[@Harryjw67]

As someone from Plymouth UK, I’ve always wanted to see Plymouth, Massachusetts.

[@waitaminute2015]

​@@Harryjw67 it's touristy, but still has a fishing industry with a beautiful harbor. They have preserved most of the buildings and homes built by Captains and other well off original residents. I hope you make it some day.

[@signoresantinoburnett1169]

@@Harryjw67 I'm in Toronto Canada and even my family would take vacations in Plymouth or near by Cape Cod. Beautiful area.

[@Harryjw67]

@@signoresantinoburnett1169 nice one, I visited Toronto last summer to meet some friends I have out there. Very cool city. (Planning to fly out to Nova Scotia this autumn too) 🇨🇦👌

[@debshipard1664]

Sad to see the once beautiful old buildings left to rot. The Ho? was nice. Great seeing Kat. Terrific content once again. Thanks Ben

[@helmetmcbarin]

Its called the Hoe, genuinely Plymouth Hoe

[@daydays12]

thanks for that

[@helmetmcbarin]

Wow youtube deleted my comment correcting him on the spelling of the place...

[@makeshift1012]

Fantastic video mate , really enjoyed this good insight into Plymouth

[@BackpackerBen]

🤝

[@makeshift1012]

@@BackpackerBen you should check out Eastbourne parts of the town are on the decline

[@simonrb1942]

I left the UK in 06. And have been in Australia since 2011. I have never realised how fortunate I am for being here. That is until i saw this video. Guz was a dump when I was in the RN early 00's but can safely say this made me utterly depressed seeing this is the UK today.

[@Thatguyjack758]

Crazy how the US and UK have similar struggles (minus gun violence of course).

[@goldenshark3182]

Don’t kid yourself, the UK has knife violence and acid attacks instead

[@KardosoMedia]

Thanks for sharing where you're from Ben. It's sad when cities degrade over the years. Good to see Cat again. Cheers mate!

[@markferguson7563]

There are two other KZbin channels I’ve watched a number of times, which also bemoan the economic and, MOREOVER, sociological demise of big towns and cities across England. All of the dire circumstances afflicting these places have come to pass through a confluence of causes. I’m nearly 70, which means I was in my early 20s when the Lima Declaration was inaugurated on May 1, 1975. In essence, the purpose of the Lima Declaration entailed Western manufactures being able to dismantle factories, which produced anything from motor vehicles, fridges and washing machines and right through to furniture in their own hemispheres and transferring them to places in the Developing (formerly the Third) World. The innate motivation for transferring the means to produce manufactured commodities was purported to be the means to assist poorer societies to enhance their wealth. And whilst that aspect certainly came to pass with countries in Asia, initially with South Korea, and Taiwan and by the mid-1980s with China, this date and event was also the death-knell for Western nations. The three worst affected Western nations from the Lima Declaration were France, the US, and worst of all with Britian: pertinently with England. Within a decade of the Lima Declaration being signed, at least 60 major manufacturing hubs in the nominated trio of countries, were dismantled and transferred to a developing society in Asia. However, with respect to the US, it also lost manufacturing capacity to Mexico, in the NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement]. began to crumble. Quite simply, due to these major manufacturing capacities being closed down across Britain (once more, ostensibly in England), and transferred to a foreign base between the mid-1970s, and as far as the late-1980s, is the intrinsic reason why the country is now in the diabolical economic and sociological kerfuffle we’re bearing witness to, via the KZbinrs covering these events. But how incredible it is that, in both Britain, and the United States, which have been economically ravaged by having their manufacturing bases disassembled from around 5 decades (thereby, making, perhaps, as many as 10 million made redundant: either directly, or indirectly), are now both, and, mindboggling so with the US, being inundated with millions of il-educated, and low-skilled interlopers from Third World countries. With regards to the US, it’s estimated that 700,000 people (of the near on 8 million that have arrived in the past three years) JUST FROM sub-Saharan Africa, with education levels that equate to between year 7 to 9 levels, have managed to permeate its dominions. And, INDEED, hardly ANY of THEM have any worthwhile skills needed to contribute. But the common-denominator with both Britain, and the US, with germane respect to the interlopers who are invading their territories, is to have councils and charities bending over backwards to throw them some money (albeit, rather small amounts), and to house them: AT THE EXPENSE OF THEIR TAXPAYERS: Yet, in the exact same interim, they can’t find accommodation for their own displaced citizens to live in. Apropos to that, Back Packer Ben, interviews a refugee as to how and what he’s doing. To that we find he’s living in student accommodation, whilst studying electrical related skills. Alas, what wasn’t queried is with how, who and why is paying for all of these nuances. Needless to say, his accommodation and education costs are, one more, being paid by British taxpayers. Speaking of which, it’s estimated that the tax payers of Britain will have a billion pounds of THEIR money spent on, and directed to these interlopers to sustain them, JUST in the coming year. Alas, it wasn’t just bad enough that, the equivalent of the WEF, back in 1975, ordained the agenda to dismantle wealth producing, and job generating capacities for Western nations, which culminates with the sociological dystopias in Western nations, but now we’re being swamped with millions of people from the Third World who will OVERWHELMINGLY NEVER, EVER be of a NET-BENEFIT to any society that they occupy.

[@BackpackerBen]

sad! thanks mate for watching

[@richardwilliams7218]

OMG Ben I must say my husband and I had an amazing wk end about 5 yrs ago we left our home in South Wales and meet amazing people who showed us where to go to have a lovely wk end 👏👏

[@ALFAGOMMA]

Despite the grim and sometimes depressing scenes in various English towns, amazingly the locals still maintain their good humour and friendliness. I really do hope that things improve in the years to come.

[@KretinzUnited]

2:22 - Cat in the background 😂😊

[@BackpackerBen]

😂😂

[@Rich.Aardvark]

I saw Her too

[@ricleroc]

2:02 made me happy

[@krunchie3254]

Brass up 💪

[@akabill79]

And people cross the channel in rubber rafts …And as an Aussie this is where Captain Cook set off from..such a shame ..

[@LeeAnderssonMP]

People cross the channel because of TERRORISTS, those TERRORISTS being BRITISH ARMED FORCES.

[@jayr4857]

Australia is not much better.

[@Botoburst]

Imagine the dumps they come from to think that's better, must be some freebies.

[@MrDEWaters]

It's also where ships departed for Massachusetts in 1620. One of my ancestors sailed from Plymouth about ten years later, although he was from Norfolk.

[@stevo728822]

Now you know why Captain Cook left here.

[@ZoonCrypticon]

Thank you for your documentaries of the recent situations in UK ! As an idea, could you integrate historical pictures and film sequences of the heyday periods of the particular cities you are visiting ?

[@80sMeavyHetal]

Again makes me appreciate where I live. Love your videos, mate!

[@BackpackerBen]

Awesome, thank you!

[@JonLambliesDown]

I worked in a Heating and Air Conditioning office on Union Street when I was 17, an apprenticeship right out of school in 1975, my first task at 8AM was to wash out the entrance with hot water due to people pissing and throwing up in the doorway almost every night.....what a treat 😞Was glad when I was at Bath Technical College for the training part of the job. Looks even worse down there today. Sad that people cannot even clean up a mess!

[@bcccl569]

it's rough but not as bad as luton or some of these places on your journey. shame some of the royal money isn't spent on fixing iconic buildings and streets, it would lift up communities across the uk.

[@chrissheppard5068]

I lived in Guz from 75 (Stoke and St.Judes) on and off until 99. What a crackin laugh was to be had down the street and the fun shopping in the vibrant city centre. Not a Janner myself but a real soft spot for these locals warm and funny people. Loads of top tottie as well! I went back for a visit in 2022. The place had turned into a zombie death zone. The strazza in particular. The once vibrant cinemas where I watched Cross of Iron and Jaws on their release were now nothing but a dirty cracked facade on the outside of a once shiny object of happiness now shut down and vacant (watched the Outlaw Josie Wales as well after a few beers lunchtime then in that cinema for the afternoon showing!.) Once there was a replica of the James Bond car sat outside this cinema on the release of the film where the vehicle could submerge in the sea now it was replaced by a scuzzie looking dude sleeping rough in the street. His teeth blacker than a witches tit. The shopping centre once so much fun was now just a set of cheap shops Poundland style a few betting shops and coffee houses. The people looked ragged but I have to admit to their credit were still smiling. The Barbican was still awesome but it is not that big. I did have some regrets not living in Plymouth but after this visit I no longer had them. I also live abroad in Eastern Europe which has grown and grown in direct proportion to how UK has slipped into decline. Clean streets well dressed people lovely looking women everywhere. Lots of new shops and enterprises and it is safe, very safe probably because they have a correct immigration system and a welfare that has to be earned first. No freebies.

[@chrissheppard5068]

I should add in the 70ties Union Street was like a great Saturday Night everyday of the week. It was not full of squaddie's but bootnecks and matelots.

[@marcusdarkus79]

I went to that place, believe it was called Dance Academy, went to Legends of the Dark Black in March 2000, DnB & Hip Hop, was a great night. I travelled all they way from London, and stayed with some friends who went uni there.

[@Jack-hy1zq]

England is looking more like a third world country every year. I'm from Oldham. It used to be a thriving town centre with literally dozens of pubs, a huge open air market. Now there are 2 pubs. I live abroad now. I think I got out just in time.

[@jonjohnson2844]

You've not been to the third world then!

[@JoFuSoA]

Brexit will make it much worse for you guys.

[@scotthalvorson1161]

Dont worry its happening here in the states too

[@Jack-hy1zq]

@@jonjohnson2844 I don't need to, the third world is coming to us.

[@NTL578]

Where did you go mate?

[@jillbrown2]

Enjoyed our visit 2 our son who lives in Plymouth + went 2 the PIRATE'S weekend Exploring ing on Spanish Galleon replica was brilliant the city was really exciting with Pirates everywhere!! UK is going thru a v difficult time, so Thanks Plymouth 4 cheering us all up 😅😅😅😅

[@SlickerVideo]

The guy with a sandwich chasing a pigeon away at 13 mins sumed it all up really. Great video. Thanks

[@slap1984]

When you see countries that are developed like this, they have a lot of problems, but for some reason they always have money to finance wars! The internal infrastructure is falling apart, what kind of mentality is that? We have all failed as a big society

[@dodjerr53]

Plymouth was my home in the mid seventies. I went to the Art college there and had two great years. My dad was in the RAF and based at Mountbatten. Later he was President of the Athenaeum which you had in the background. The city was vibrant and friendly. Union st had a reputation but it was busy.

[@daydays12]

One of my first GFs was a student at the art college. 🙂 We had good times! ( a long time ago),

[@mateusz132]

Awesome episode Ben!

[@terry-cn8ks]

I'm sure that during the summer months it's a lot better there in Plymouth and thank you Ben i enjoyed watching

[@cwarbu01]

Like these uk videos Ben. Interviews are interesting and great social history for the future too

[@ksolo012]

I was thinking....I wonder if Kat would like that restaurant. You fooled me....glad to see you two together.

[@walkersgarage1635]

Great to see you two

[@deandjakovic54]

Unbelievable that so many city centres look like this in the UK. Everything shut down and boarded up. If I didn't watch your videos, I wouldn't even know. Always great stuff you are showing us

[@BackpackerBen]

Crazy ain’t it mate

[@garethconnett7672]

Sad to see my home city turn into a right Sh"thole still some of the best and kindest people you will always find in Plymouth of all ages who will always help you regardless of the decay and rot that will never change as you know Ben. Union Street was visited by many right around the country they were good times now a distant memory but a great one.

[@Cinearte]

Doesn't look too shabby and quite nice actually. Cleaner than some downtowns I've been in the US (Detroit, St. Louis, Memphis, Los Angeles.) Think I might stop by and check out Plymouth when I visit the UK this Spring. Cheers!

[@leejames1792]

Trust me, there are far nicer places to stop, i mean look at the buildings, doesn't get much uglier. Come and you'll be disappointed, i'm only an hour up the road and Plymouth has always been a dump.

[@daydays12]

You need to compare it with continental European cities. The problem with Plymouth UK is precisely that the old city having been destroyed during the war it was 're-built' hurriedly on an American grid and motor vehicle centric plan... with cars first - people pushed out of the centre to depressing suburbs and the centre left with priority to cars on very wide roads and commercial buildings with very little for people ( pedestrians ... public transport) Horrible. That American town plan is catastrophic..... your shopping malls are closing ....

[@liamnugent6534]

Another great video watching from Ireland thinking of holidaying in the UK this year not sure we're to go thinking of south coast

[@kennethgrindrod6438]

Cheers Ben everything was spot on ,lived in Plymouth for Fifty years and watch it go down hill rapidly ,lost of ideas come up to redevelop but very slow to happen,to much red tape stopping things at the moment as you saw city centre in a tip ,but when finished May look better ,love the Hoe and Barbican,saw the Stranglers play in Castaways many moons ago ,great video watch a lot of your videos and the bald one cheers any thanks

[@JustAlex848]

Good job you had photographic evidence because I don't think that Afghan kid would've believed your Taliban story otherwise! Must have made his day bumping into the only British civilian in Plymouth who's been to Afghanistan! As for Sue, bless her!

[@AndrewpeterkilleyAndrewKilley]

Plymouth is like the norm for the UK, poverty and despair 🙄

[@SpicyEngineer]

Yes and no. There are beautiful, well maintained parts of England. But like the US, large swaths of the cities have fallen into blight.

[@markferguson7563]

There are two other KZbin channels I’ve watched a number of times, which also bemoan the economic and, MOREOVER, sociological demise of big towns and cities across England. All of the dire circumstances afflicting these places have come to pass through a confluence of causes. I’m nearly 70, which means I was in my early 20s when the Lima Declaration was inaugurated on May 1, 1975. In essence, the purpose of the Lima Declaration entailed Western manufactures being able to dismantle factories, which produced anything from motor vehicles, fridges and washing machines and right through to furniture in their own hemispheres and transferring them to places in the Developing (formerly the Third) World. The innate motivation for transferring the means to produce manufactured commodities was purported to be the means to assist poorer societies to enhance their wealth. And whilst that aspect certainly came to pass with countries in Asia, initially with South Korea, and Taiwan and by the mid-1980s with China, this date and event was also the death-knell for Western nations. The three worst affected Western nations from the Lima Declaration were France, the US, and worst of all with Britian: pertinently with England. Within a decade of the Lima Declaration being signed, at least 60 major manufacturing hubs in the nominated trio of countries, were dismantled and transferred to a developing society in Asia. However, with respect to the US, it also lost manufacturing capacity to Mexico, in the NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement]. began to crumble. Quite simply, due to these major manufacturing capacities being closed down across Britain (once more, ostensibly in England), and transferred to a foreign base between the mid-1970s, and as far as the late-1980s, is the intrinsic reason why the country is now in the diabolical economic and sociological kerfuffle we’re bearing witness to, via the KZbinrs covering these events. But how incredible it is that, in both Britain, and the United States, which have been economically ravaged by having their manufacturing bases disassembled from around 5 decades (thereby, making, perhaps, as many as 10 million made redundant: either directly, or indirectly), are now both, and, mindboggling so with the US, being inundated with millions of il-educated, and low-skilled interlopers from Third World countries. With regards to the US, it’s estimated that 700,000 people (of the near on 8 million that have arrived in the past three years) JUST FROM sub-Saharan Africa, with education levels that equate to between year 7 to 9 levels, have managed to permeate its dominions. And, INDEED, hardly ANY of THEM have any worthwhile skills needed to contribute. But the common-denominator with both Britain, and the US, with germane respect to the interlopers who are invading their territories, is to have councils and charities bending over backwards to throw them some money (albeit, rather small amounts), and to house them: AT THE EXPENSE OF THEIR TAXPAYERS: Yet, in the exact same interim, they can’t find accommodation for their own displaced citizens to live in. Apropos to that, Back Packer Ben, interviews a refugee as to how and what he’s doing. To that we find he’s living in student accommodation, whilst studying electrical related skills. Alas, what wasn’t queried is with how, who and why is paying for all of these nuances. Needless to say, his accommodation and education costs are, one more, being paid by British taxpayers. Speaking of which, it’s estimated that the tax payers of Britain will have a billion pounds of THEIR money spent on, and directed to these interlopers to sustain them, JUST in the coming year. Alas, it wasn’t just bad enough that, the equivalent of the WEF, back in 1975, ordained the agenda to dismantle wealth producing, and job generating capacities for Western nations, which culminates with the sociological dystopias in Western nations, but now we’re being swamped with millions of people from the Third World who will OVERWHELMINGLY NEVER, EVER be of a NET-BENEFIT to any society that they occupy.

[@gregmurphy2691]

​@@markferguson7563I did not know about the Lima declaration, thank you. As to the illegal immigrants, its mind blowing how they get the 5 star treatment whilst the indigenous population gets kicked into the corner. I fear nothing will change anytime soon though

[@markferguson7563]

@@gregmurphy2691 Greg, thanks for replying. First, I will hark back to the Lima Declaration: way in the mid-1960s, both England’s, Enoch Powell, and George Lincoln Rockwell, in the US were predicting that, the big movers and shakers in the manufacturing spheres of Britain the US, and Europe were inaugurating plans that eventually became the Lima Declaration. Another intellectual to research is the Frenchman, Jean Raspail. He is the author that you MUST google up is the author of the novel, ‘Camp of the Saints’. In this work Raspail foretold us back in 1972 that, governments of Western nations would not only dismantle their borders, and allow millions of culturally unassimilable interlopers from the Third World to OVERRUN their dominions, but INCREDIBLY SO with how these governments would also pass laws (masquerading as HATE-SPEECH), to make it illegal for indigenous White peoples to complain about these re-colonisation agendas. I live in Sydney/Australia - not to be confused with Sydney in Canada - and can state CATEGORICALLY that, my city and, indeed, with Melbourne that people of Anglo/European extractions, sine 2000, have gone from comprising being 85% of their populations, to now being the COLLECTIVE MINORITIES. So much so that, there are now 60 suburbs in Sydney, where peoples of non-Anglo/European (and, also, non-Christian) cradles account for between 65-85% of all the residents. To bring this horrifying reality to bear came to pass quite recently, 3 weeks ago, in fact, where I travelled ion a train from Burwood, to Liverpool. This entails 15 stations, and at EVERY ONE of them, people of non-AE heritages accounted for between 90, to 100 percent of every person on the platforms. Clearly, this isn’t immigration, but re-colonisation, come the cultural transmogrification of Sydney. In closing, I will reiterate that you google up ‘Camp of the Saints’, and, indeed, its author, Jean Raspail, with him predicting OVER 5 decades ago, all of the extreme treachery that our politicians, acting at the direct behest of powerful industrialists, have imposed upon us.

[@daydays12]

@@gregmurphy2691 Racism and xenophobia are inappropriate.

[@Scampeh96]

I have a lot of good memories in Plymouth, and cap N jaspers was always a go too place for a munch 👌

[@RockMusicEnjoyer]

Look forward to your next plymouth video. Here's some places I recommend: East hoe beach. The Nowhere Inn. Food 4 U kebab. Drakes circus obviously. Barbican, Union rooms at night, when it's full of drunk teens and 20 somethings. The Uni, the Market, and as for food, you can't go wrong, so many great places at night. Oh and, the freemasons at north hill leave their doors open if your into urbex, I found that building fascinating. And maybe go north into the (sometimes wealthy, sometimes poorer) Suburbs where people are very different to the inner city folk. Show off the beaches, Dartmoor, and everything in between, the shitest places, but also the nicest. Then you'll really have Plymouth in a nutshell.

[@marcusskidmore7290]

Nice one Ben, you should go to Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Mablethorpe and Skeggy. Scunthorpe if you're really brave.

[@marcusskidmore7290]

p.s the Beatles crossroad was Abbey Road in London.

[@ellistolchard4400]

​@@marcusskidmore7290 Give it a rest! Absolutely nobody... Cares