BOARDED UP YORK, is nowhere safe?

[@GENerationXplorers]

This insightful video sheds light on the critical issue plaguing our nation's high streets. The exodus of retailers, banks, and pubs from our towns and cities, driven by soaring landlord costs, business rates, and the escalating prices of energy and staffing, demands urgent attention. It's high time we engage in a meaningful dialogue about the future of these colossal vacant commercial spaces, standing empty for years. Rather than allowing them to remain idle or merely adorning them with picturesque images, there's a pressing need to explore innovative solutions. Repurposing these spaces for residential or leisure use could breathe new life into our communities. Let's collectively envision and advocate for a revitalized and sustainable approach, acknowledging that waiting for a retailer that may never return is not a viable solution.

[@davidwolstenholme4676]

I AND MY LATE WIFE WERE BORN THERE ,I WAS BORN IN THE MATERNITY HOSPITAL IN ACOMB NEARLY 80 YEARS AGO.

[@davidwolstenholme4676]

YOU CAN VISIT MARGARET CLITHEROW HOME IN THE SHAMBLES SHE REFUSED TO DENOUCE HER CATHOLIC FAITH SO THE PUT AN HEAVY DOOR ON TOP OF HER WITH HEAVY BOULDERS SHE WAS MARRIED TO A BUTCHER.

[@davidwolstenholme4676]

I NEVER EXPECTED THAT TO HAPPEN IN YORK

[@davidwolstenholme4676]

IS THE SHEEPSKIN SHOP STILL THERE I BOUGHT MY SHEEPSKIN HAT THERE

[@davidwolstenholme4676]

IS BETTYS CAFE STILL OPEN

[@AishusCraftyKidsClub]

So sad to see many has closed 🔒 I wish you a very happy weekend and Merry Christmas 🎄

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thank you! You too! 👍🎄

[@madcat61207]

Great to see these older sites, and all the available retail space.

[@GENerationXplorers]

Cheers Madcat! York is fabulous shame about all these empty retail spots in our towns! Have a gooden 👍❤️

[@robinburn4974]

York have been a labour stronghold for years, says it all

[@GENerationXplorers]

Id have always thought that Robin yet the places I’m visiting that have been Labour strongholds have acquired levelling up funding better than Tories and in the cases where it has been spent right are better because of it..

[@gallivantinggalantes]

Hi Nick and Jill, gosh isn't it shocking, so many shops have closed down. We went a year ago and we hardly saw any shops closed. We love the Shambles. It is such a shame but i'm afraid a sign of the times especially with so many people shopping online these days. Amazing how the retail shopping centres are thriving. Great video you two. Thank you for sharing, take care and have a Wonderful Christmas x Julie and Tony x

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thanks guys there is still so much good stuff going on that if you went for the positives you wouldn’t notice the close shops unless looking for them like us! it’s still a fabulous place to visit but we wanted to show how it is still affected by the ongoing changes of todays society! city and town centres need to be living quarters eateries and drinking holes with shopping online and in retail parks! Merry Christmas Julie, Tony and Archie 🎄❤️

[@theuktoday4233]

We also have to remember that so many of these shops on high streets were owned and operated by middle-class people and large companies who are losing sales to firms like Amazon and these middle-class people are hurting as well but won't talk about it. And as you say austerities part of the problem but while the people at the bottom earn hardly enough to pay their rent mortgage all live on these shops will keep on closing. Throwing money high streets is no good if the people can't afford to shop in the High Street. Great series by the way I really enjoy it having driven nearly half a million miles around the UK over the last 10 years in more cities and towns and villages then I could throw a stick at.

[@GENerationXplorers]

thank you so much, thats really kind. I haven’t visited that many towns and cities yet with this particularly in mind but the ones that I have are truly shocking. we seem to have created a real divide in the last fourteen years that is becoming more and more noticeable. we really do need change now and not the type that might make us all bankrupt!

[@TheLaughingLion]

Wow i didn't know this world famous iconic street in York was having some retailing issues these days. This was an eye-opening video. Hopefully conditions will change in the next few years and the business will thrive again. 🙏🙏

[@GENerationXplorers]

We hope so Kenzo! Hope you had a lovely Christmas and happy new year 🥳❤️

[@The_Brit_Girls]

Hi Nick and Jill! I was so shocked to see that there were so many closed shops in York, of all places. I was also shocked to hear that Boots is closing 300 stores nationwide. Out Top Man/ Top Shop in Norwich is still boarded up. On a positive note, coffee shops like Costa, Starbucks, and Pret a Manger seem to be thriving. Another very thought-provoking video. You do these so incredibly well. Best wishes and Merry Christmas! ❤🎄

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thank you Ladies yes we feel these high streets in the town and city centres need to be living quarters with eateries and drinking hubs! Shopping needs to be online or retail parks! We need to adapt to these changing times! Happy Holidays 🎄❤️

[@kenhutley971]

In January 1978 I looked for a retail premises in York centre and had a choice of ONE site. A couple were retiring after 32 years and were offering it for sale. I took it because I happened to be in the right place on the right day. Times have certainly changed.

[@GENerationXplorers]

Ah Ken, it’s a sorry state of affairs indeed. After graduating in the mid 90s I was on the hunt for retail premises too, i fancied myself a bit of an entrepreneur, could I find premises? not a chance, they were like gold dust. a prime location like York? absolutely impossible and you would have to snap up the first thing going at a ridiculously inflated price. fast forward only twenty years and the decline makes my head spin. nobody is ever renting out any of the units on this video. landlords won’t reduce the rents as that will reduce the value of the property so these units stay empty for years on end. unless there is some blanket law to acquire and repurpose these spaces the high street will only get worse these coming years..

[@paulpayton8238]

I was up there 4 years ago and everywhere was open had a good time for a weeks holiday I hope our lovely country doesn't keep shutting everywhere down 😢thanks for sharing this video my friend

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thank you Paul it’s scary how quickly things change! Don’t get us wrong it’s still a great place to visit and still busy! But something needs to be done with the empty premises! Have a lovely Christmas 🎄👍

[@FXWalesAnnaAlf]

I am really surprised that this is happening in York of all places, somewhere that I thought would be still thriving. We haven't been here in a few years, York is beautiful and The beautiful Shambles is suffereing ? Shame to see shops closing and sad to hear about Boots going too. York minster is absolutely stunning, shame this is happening so close to it but at leastv the walls can still be walked. Very sad . Have a wonderful blessed and peaceful Christmas ~ Anna 🎄❤️

[@GENerationXplorers]

its a hard one to watch Anna. id tried to pre research this a 100 times over and what I was finding was that there would not be a boarded up video there. we had both set our sights on a lovely day energising about the lovely Christmas Market and wonderful historic things York had on display. after only a few minutes of filming the scale became apparent. seven hours later with no daylight left we could not touch on the sheer magnitude of closed shops. its a cry for help that York itself is probably to ashamed to cry out for. cry out.. I’m sure you will be the first in line to get regeneration funding. hopefully this video will help swerve things in that direction. have a wonderful Christmas, all the very best ♥️♥️

[@adzey156]

Definitely a sad issue all over the uk shops empty etc. Bad times, really. Glad the church survived the lightning 😮 Thanks for showing us around York . Hope you both have a good Christmas & New year ✌️👍👍 🎅

[@GENerationXplorers]

Oorr thanks Sir Adzey! Hope you, Katie and family and the four legged family all have an amazing Christmas and new year 👍❤️🎄

[@adzey156]

@GENerationXplorers No worries you both too 😉 Happy Christmas! I hope Santa brings you lots of goodies 🤣👍🎅🎄🧑‍🎄

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Ugh, I'm so sad to hear that even York is not safe from the downward spiral of high street shops!!

[@GENerationXplorers]

it was horrifying Dara. our backup plan was to film the lovely Christmas Market. tons of positive energy. it took us seven hours to get around just a small portion of closed shops, it’s horrific. at first sight of this finished edit I shedded a tear, this has been a “safe place” for my family growing up for over fifty years..

[@NicoleHikesalot]

Wow interesting to see and such a shame, big changes going on for all of us as far as stores and businesses closing. I'm guilty myself of shopping only online anymore. Thank you for sharing 😮

[@GENerationXplorers]

Think we all are it can’t be helped! ever changing societies! merry Christmas Nicole 🎄❤️

[@francesaggarwal22]

Online shopping is causing the decline of the high street. People now buy from the internet.

[@GENerationXplorers]

You are so right Frances thank you for watching and your comment! something needs to be done with all these empty spaces in our towns and Cities x Have a great weekend 👍

[@inbetween-days]

Hi Nick and Jill a very thoughtful video. Who would have thought York would have had so many closed shops. Its such a beautiful and vibrant city makes you think what chance other towns and cities have. We agree at least if the shops have decorated frontages at least it helps keep the high street looking better. We are seeing a number of shops being converted into domestic premises which helps avoid the run down look . Thank you for sharing and making us aware of the issues. Happy Christmas to you both. Best wishes Dave and Dawn ❤

[@GENerationXplorers]

It’s still very busy but something needs to change with these city centres and high streets! Thanks guys! Happy Christmas 🎄❤️

[@mmintravel7926]

It is so sad to see, it makes a beautiful city look so untidy and run down.

[@GENerationXplorers]

Changing times unfortunately we hope something can be done! Happy Christmas Guys, Have fun! Is it Charlie’s First Christmas? ❤️👍

[@LEGOLIZED]

Omg what is happening in the world. So sad this is happening....thanks for sharing this Jill and Nick

[@GENerationXplorers]

It is sad, as the human race we don’t do change but we need to accept and embrace it! Merry Christmas 🎄❤️

[@WeGoPlacesTours]

Online shopping has an effect I think for some shops closing. Sad to see how things change and I’m sure some shops people love have gone. Here my favourite bank that I banked at since I was a kid closed down last year….now I have to go downtown and there’s never anywhere to park. Difficult for the times. Thanks for bringing more awareness Nick & Jill. 👍😊🇨🇦

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thanks Christine, we just have to embrace and accept the change! Merry Christmas 🎄👍

[@JenniferA886]

You know your high street has died, when it’s full of charity and vape shops 👍👍👍

[@GENerationXplorers]

Hi Jennifer you are right! To be fair we didn’t see many vape shops in York so maybe there is still hope but an awful lot of charity shops! Have a lovely Christmas 🎄👍

[@billygoatfilms7531]

Hi Nick and another thought provoking film. Believe I’ve said before on previous videos that we are now living in the online world. No need to venture out into the wind and rain, drive through crowded roads, pay extortionate parking fees and mingle with ignorant JBP’s. No, most certainly not. Just do everything on line, from ordering food, clothes, drinks etc. welcome to the 21st century Nick, it’s the future old boy. Adapt or die in the past, the choice is yours. On a more positive note you’ve given me food for thought and I’m going to do a film of my city centre, you might be surprised at the outcome. Many thanks for the inspiration. Mike 👍

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thank you Mike 🙏 I think with this instalment I not only surprise myself but feel a little enlightened. York did a wonderful job at putting art boards up in shop windows that have been closed for 2 to 7 years now, right under the dum fused landlord advertising you can rent this space. Well nobody is coming to rent this space, moreover there will be triple this time next year of empty spaces to rent. It’s too late for greedy landlords to lower rents, it’s too late for Councils to reduce business rates or proportion them to what the business can afford. The conversation now is what do we do with the space and the answer is accommodation, leisure or green space. There is no other answer. The faster Councils can buy up and repurpose these massive units the faster we will see the next stage in the evolution of the high street. Sadly it’s only going to get a LOT worse before it gets better with next year being the worst yet. People are fast to blame the pandemic and decreased footfall. York has the footfall for ten cities, it wont save the shops. Repurpose and re zone these areas now!

[@stompinsteve6066]

Have visited York several times a year for the past 20 years and really enjoyed every visit, however the past 2 years it's really declined to the point where I feel it's not worth going. Feels like York is the same as the rest of the country, chipped, cracked and nearly broken atb Steve

[@GENerationXplorers]

its a real shame Steve. Really thought I was going to visit and spend the day at the Christmas Market. Sadly I was still finding long standing closed units by the time it went dark. a lot dating back to 2017, theres no blaming the pandemic or recent spike in business rates or energy prices on a lot of these closures. its time towns and cities really get to grips with the changing face of retail and the high street.

[@simoncook7456]

So don't visit anymore then, typical tourist only visit in the good times 🙄

[@pagrant]

We lost our Halifax years ago in the area of the city where I live , it was very useful

[@GENerationXplorers]

sadly all banks and building societies will close this year. they are no longer financially viable. why the mainstream news is not covering this I have no idea. its ok to send 100s of millions to wars in other countries but nobody is interested in why the people of the UK now live in a third world country..

[@Walkinginindia2]

Thanks for showing and sharing with us Nick and Jill, Merry Christmas and happy holidays ❤😊

[@GENerationXplorers]

Same to you! Thank you ❤️

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I'm looking forward to visiting York next summer. I've never seen inside the Minster and I CANNOT WAIT!

[@GENerationXplorers]

its super pricey Dara.. £22 a person. we are long overdue a “top things to do in York” video. we’ve always planned dissing the minster as overpriced. it is stunning, but it’s made by the same architect and developers that built Beverley Minster just a few miles down the road.. completely free. enjoy the Minster from outside or its lobby, but there are way more better things to do in York than pay over the odds for the Minster. bettys tea room the walls Clifford’s tower museum gardens 365 pubs! best medieval shops in Europe visit York but see Beverley Minster (exactly the same, for free)

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@GENerationXplorers you did not just recommend Betty's tea room to me! Clearly you have not seen my review of Betty's in Harrogate 🤣🤣🤣

[@GENerationXplorers]

@@MagentaOtterTravels York is better ♥️

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@GENerationXplorers I might try buying a fat rascal takeaway 😉

[@cmasseylynch]

Lord Street -Southport - has at least 22 closed up shops - in 1979 they were all open.

[@GENerationXplorers]

Gosh I used to visit Southport as a kid and up into the late 90s, the place was thriving back then.

[@dirtyleeds7409]

I live in York and the biggest problem is we are building more and more student accommodation there not spending in our city and local council charging excessive prices not looking after looking traders not good to see

[@GENerationXplorers]

It’s really sad and shocking to see, not the video we expected to make on our visit to York at this time of year. I wonder who governs the quality of the student housing? With the two massive universities bringing in so many numbers internationally when I used to work there I heard many horror stories of the quality and rates the students were charged. The Council should base business rates on the profitability of a shop. Beyond that York has a huge problem with greedy landlords that only offer short term leases and then hike the rent up on renewal. Almost criminal. There needs to be some legislation in place to weaken their powers or give local Council powers to compulsory buy back their properties to repurpose them.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Seems like the closures are concentrated in certain parts of the city?

[@GENerationXplorers]

we spent seven hours just looking at the closest parts, ever ventured even near the walls let alone outside them. the medieval shambles had so many shops shut but the more recognisable high street roads were almost completely empty. probably the most shocking thing we have seen yet on this journey..

[@dinglehopper85]

It is so sad to see, that so many shops have closed. I agree, the larger shops are properly harder to sell or rent. There are a few closed shops, where I live, luckily most of them reopens again as as different shop. Merry Christmas.

[@GENerationXplorers]

Merry Christmas Thomas 👍🎄

[@scootladychicago]

going cheerful to end the year, eh? 🤭good to see it was fairly bustling in some places, but it's sad to see so many closed places. it looks like a pretty neat place. my mil was a fan when she visited. what's primark? you spoke so confidently about its existence. is it like british walmart? i wonder if they could turn some of those larger spaces into food court/halls. we have some of these here in chicago and they're pretty great. allows for people who can't afford a larger space to still have a brick and mortar. cheers to you both 🛴❤

[@GENerationXplorers]

Hi Anne yes previous festivity videos have not done too well so we decided to try a different (although covered before subject) Primark is predominantly a huge clothing shop that is exceptionally cheap for quite good quality guessing it could be compared to your Walmart! these centres need to be made into living quarters with eateries and drinking establishments for sure! Merry Christmas 🎄👍

[@EpicAdventureCouple]

Good information on the area. Boarded up and vape shops definitely lets you know what part of town. Happy New Year guys. Stay blessed in the next year. 🫵🙏

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thanks! You too! All the best 👍

[@keithwoodhouse4682]

Hi York is now geared for tourist which is fine but it’s a shame so much is closed Have you done a tour of Hull another great city with many closed shop units

[@GENerationXplorers]

I havent Keith, in fact your the first to mention it. After being awarded City Of Culture status in 2017 I just presumed things would be better there than elsewhere. thanks for bringing it to my attention.

[@IamaDutch-Kiwi]

Town or down town, or as you call it, city centre shopping, has been evolving since the arrival of suburban shopping centers. Retail world said, "let's bring the shops closer to the people". Malls were born! The other big change was the large retail stores and chains began extending their range. There was a trend to have ' everything under one roof' and the large department stores started selling everything under the sun. The need for specialised stores dwindled. True the designer stores popped up, those which were really just there to service the thicker wallet. Drugstore items, clothing, toys kitchenware. Any store could get a permit to sell a multitude of ware. I, as a child, had the experience of going to a toy store ( toys only) a book store ( books only) supermarket ( groceries/food only) Just walk round a supermarket Nick and what do you see? Motor oil, kitchenware ( pots and pans) even small goods like coffee machines and mixers. That's why shops are closing. And when a large chain shuts something down in 'down town' huge gaps appear. The what might have been the biggest draw card to venture down the main street has left the building and left the smaller retailers high and dry. It is a world wide trend. In the city I live city council members are looking at renovating many of these buildings to apartments on the upper level(s) and boutique type stores and restaurants and cafes down on ground level. Looking at creating a night life type of space, small theaters and galleries etc. Leaving the shopping in the malls to suburbia. Keeping cars out of the city center. It is sad this is happening - it is also a great opportunity to breath new life into towns and cities creating a new environment for future generations. Happy Holidays you two. 🌟🇳🇱🧑‍🎄🇳🇿🎄🥰

[@GENerationXplorers]

Wow Anita this is a fabulous comment I see it is something you are quite passionate about too! You are so right on how it happened and also on how it is sad but hopefully if councils get it right these centre can become a different kind of hun if living quarters with eateries and drinking holes for socialising leaving the shopping to retail parks and online! Merry Christmas to you guys too 👍🎄

[@IamaDutch-Kiwi]

@@GENerationXplorers sometimes change is for the better. Not always. It’s knowing which is which. 💖👌🎄

[@angleseyisle]

I walked around Wigan today and it made me sad, its been devastated. It all looked dirty and grubby to, such a shame.

[@GENerationXplorers]

Just watched Wigan this week on Wandering Turnips video and whilst it can be very proud about its fantastic roots and history it was sad to see it suffer the same fate as other high streets. I worked and “nighted out” in Wigan back in the late 90s and early 00s, it’s hard for me to imagine it suffering the same fate as the rest of us..

[@CluelessYoutuber]

What happened to this place looks quite unfortunate with the closures. Thanks for sharing all this! Very informative 😁 great tour as usual :) Hope you and Jill have a happy holiday and New Year 😁

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thanks Keith you too! we look forward to your 2024 adventures! All the best 👍

[@crisgtv5689]

Hi Nick and Jill! Very nice content! An eye opener to proper authorities. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thanks so much cris same to you have a great one 👍❤️

[@earsandideas7266]

So sad to see and I'm so pleased we didn't notice this on our recent visit. On a previous visit a few years ago I was shocked at the amount of rough sleepers, beggars and drunks there were. I felt quite uncomfortable. But this didn't seem to be an issue on this visit, so hopefully people in need are being supported better in the York area. Maybe because of the nice old storefronts and some of the window art I just didn't realise. Have a great Christmas Guys 💜💜🎄🎄

[@GENerationXplorers]

Hi there Nettie, I did have a good chuckle and thoroughly enjoyed your video yesterday. it’s like the polar extremes of York! Yorks lovely and I honestly can’t think of somewhere to visit at Christmas. it was freezing the day we filmed this and I had about a dozen thermal layers on, it was day time and I wasn’t warm once. we passed so, so many homeless and vulnerable people and the temperature would have dropped to well below freezing that night. The Salvation Army and other homeless charities does the best they can to help them but Ive just read that the Salvation Army who were partly funded by York Council have had their funding stopped. the artwork in the closed doorways is great (I wish we had at least that in Scarborough) but in other places with closed units they have been opened up as temporary art foundations so that the community still have a reason to come in. im sure York Bid who put the artwork in the shop windows will come at me in the comments soon enough but artwork in shops that have been closed going as far back as 2015 in some cases and with no sign of ever being reopened is not the best use of the space. its better than nothing but some other towns and cities are doing a better job with the space. have an awesome Christmas. we should team up and time our videos release again on a place! I’m eyeing up Sheffield.. 😂

[@earsandideas7266]

@@GENerationXplorers haha we went to Sheffield town centre a few years ago from Meadowhall and have no plans to rush back, it felt dire! Our train journey started with some lads across from us sorting out what they had pinched from the shops!!

[@GENerationXplorers]

@earsandideas7266 wow, that sounds pretty scary. It’s getting bumped up the list. I’m pretty sure it was at the forefront of places shutting things down. Its hopefully got some plans in place for improvement..

[@RichardEde-ip5cq]

OMG absolutely love York so sad to see the same thing is happening in our local town of Shrewsbury with one shopping centre on the high street completely closed. 😢

[@GENerationXplorers]

Sorry to hear about Shrewsbury Richard. just been doing a bit of digging it looks like the Pride Hill Shopping Centre was compulsory purchased by the Council back in 2018. they do seem to be dragging their feet on doing anything with it but their “plans” suggest it will be demolished to make way for leisure and residential in the summer of next year. you’ll know your Council better and if this is a likely proposition or not. I know for a fact if it was my Council saying that would happen by then it absolutely wouldn’t stand a chance!

[@LeisureBit]

It’s such a shame to see, and a worry on where things will be in the next 5-10 years the rate things are closing down. I was in Richmond earlier in the week and it was sad to see shops there closing and being converted to flats - such a shame as places are never the same again. Have a wonderful Christmas, all the very best, David & Rachel ❤️🎄🎉🍻

[@GENerationXplorers]

It really is a shame but to be fair turning these empty properties into living spaces is probably the best idea we foresee city and town centres being more like living quarters with eateries and drinking holes with shopping in retail parks and online! changing times which we all have to get on board with whether we like it or not! On that note 😂 Merry Christmas my lovelies 😂🎄❤️

[@potentialreality]

Very nice walkway in the beginning part of the video. How tragic in what's happening in York with the closing of businesses and the number of homeless. Such a wonderful history. Thank you for this and have a wonderful day.

[@GENerationXplorers]

it’s such an incredible place with an amazing history that dates back to Roman times, it attracts one of the best footfalls in all of the North of England so to see shops closing there really fills me with despair thinking about how the rest of us will cope. thank you once again for watching and I hope your having an amazing festive period!

[@AlanMETALMAN]

Out of all of these, this is the one that is the most depressing, never in my wildest dreams did I think that York would be in a position like this, especially in a street like The Shambles. We started to notice this the last couple of times we had been to York but was hoping it was just a temp thing, looks like it is not. Good to see Browns still going strong, a place we both enjoy visiting for different reasons. It makes you wonder if there is a hidden agenda to force everyone to shop online, what a depressing future that would be if true. A Very Merry Christmas to you both, cheers Alan

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thank you Alan. Id have never believed it. Did a lot of preliminary research before visiting and couldn’t find anything to substantiate my commenters that told me to go there. Me and Jill were all ready to have a good old jolly around the xmas market. Oh boy how wrong we were. Filmed over almost seven hours we probably hardly touched the surface of the closed shops. Whilst I ran from closed shop to closed shop realising we had another instalment of this my heart literally sank when i came to edit it. Genuinely shed a tear when I watched it back for the first time with family and we realised that the place we had enjoyed visiting for over fifty years is never going to be the same again. The sooner this reaches a wider political audience and something gets done the better. Retail is not coming back. This next year will deliver the worst blows to our high street we have seen yet. The banks will go, there will be massive pub closures and we will lose some massive retail giants like Boots, M and S, Iceland, Clinton’s, Homebase… The list goes on. These commercial units need to be re zoned as residential or leisure with almost immediate effect. Where greedy landlords are waiting for a retailer to come in that will never arrive there needs to be money for compulsory Council purchases to repurpose that land. Green spaces, residential squares. It will take a massive endeavour, the sooner it starts the sooner we might see a light at the end of the tunnel..

[@twopassionsfishing386]

Thanks for sharing friend good content stay connected friend 👍👍

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thank you You too 👍

[@kerryhorwitz4093]

I live just outside York. There are two types of shops, the big chain shops that are everywhere. These are largely irrelevant because people dont go on holiday to shop in places that exist in their own hometown. The other types are independent craft-type shops. These are what people want when they holiday in York. There are three reasons for the sad demise of these shops. The first reason is greedy landlords who price out the independent shops. Greedy landlords would rather have their shops closed than charge a reasonable rent. The second reason is the large gangs of violent substance abusers who roam the small streets harassing people. The third reason is ignorant council bureaucrats. These are made up of people who don't understand business and have a negative attitude towards business. They see the shop owners as evil capitalists who have money flooding at them. Consequently, they take every opportunity to grasp money off them . The Christmas stalls don't make any money. The council charges small, independent craftspeople over £1,000 per week for a stall. They don't understand that a small business has to pass high overheads on to the customers who can't afford the high prices, so make no purchases. This is mirrored by bad attitudes towards small businesses by governments, energy companies who also do whatever they can to grasp money from businesses wherever and whenever they can. The situation in York is more serious because the small craft shops required by the visitor simply can't afford all the charges levied at them. The greed and stupidity surrounding small businesses are practically criminal.

[@GENerationXplorers]

superb comment Kerry and you have nailed it on the head. thank you so much for getting in touch. I wish I had more commenters like you that actually understand and can get to grips with the problem EXACTLY. sadly my comments will fall into two main camps.. those that think there is nothing wrong with York (rose tinted glasses brigade) and those that I am stupid for even covering it because why would anyone, nowadays venture into a town or city to go shopping? its very refreshing to have people understand the argument and I feel like this might be a conversation or video topic that will run and run until someone in Westminster without a property portfolio does something about Landlords with long standing empty units that are blights on our countries landscape..

[@kerryhorwitz4093]

@GENerationXplorers Thank you for your response. It is sad that people respond in a "rose tinted glasses" way. We won't improve anything unless people like you tell the truth about issues. The 'no one goes shopping anymore' is also frustrating. There is great fun exploring small craft shops and markets with family and friends. Having shops and markets like this loops into the whole economy, both local and national. UK tourism is a major economic force employing many people. Small businesses seem to be punished from all sides rather than respected as an important factor in the tourism industry. Anyway, keep up the good work 👏

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thank you Kerry, this really helps. I am keeping tabs on what is going on and sadly it seems to be getting worse, almost like a cancer that is spreading to places I would have hoped people would turn to in the future. Places with heavy foot fall, market towns and even local wards that have strong community support all seem to be failing now. Not even twelve months in and I’m finding more problems than solutions, it’s very disheartening, we plan to revisit all the places again to make sure we have not missed anything and to assess what has changed and visit new places. I’m waiting for a lot of answers from some newly appointed MPs before I continue..

[@francesaggarwal22]

Absolutely spot on Kerry. I live in the centre of York and its awful to see small businesses being pushed out by soaring rents. Another thing that could improve York would be longer hours for the Park and Rides. This would mean day visitors could stay longer and visit the many restaurants and pubs.

[@Thorkenn]

I think not only this place suffered after the Pandemic. We are still lucky as of now having moving on for the better again. Happy Holidays 🎄. Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪.

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thanks Kenn! Happy Holidays 👍🎄

[@TravelingTramps]

I believe part of the problem is the changing of the customer bases desires, Nick. This is happening over here in the US too. People are going more to the new type malls you show at the end of the video or just online shopping. Instead of going out to eat, ordering delivery. I don't think there's much you can do about that. That being said there are some innovative ideas (The Tiff districts we have here that I've talked about before) and entertainment venues that could bring folks back in. Just by expanding the housing in this area would also bring folks in and keep them there somewhat. Taxes and other innovative ideas by government bodies could help support this. Otherwise, it will continue to decline. One of the definitions of insanity is to keep doing the things your doing and expect different results!

[@GENerationXplorers]

Hi Dave, yes York has really embraced the American model, on the very short drive out it the first thing we saw was a Taco Bell, I honestly thought we were in America. to be fair it was exceptionally impressive and I can see the appeal.i love that “keep doing the things your doing and expect different results!”, spot on, that is exactly what’s happening.nobody is opening up retail in York and painting over the cracks with boarded pictures isnt helping. Housing and Liesure should replace these retail giants that have gone! 👍

[@OutandaboutwithAndy]

York is a big surprise! You would think with the massive footfall it gets it would do well. It does seem to have a huge city centre with thousands of shop units. What did the ratio of open and closed units look like? Some of those businesses like Clinton Cards, it is understandable that people are shopping elsewhere, they have charged a fortune for their stock for years. You can often find similar cards at other retailers for half the price. In today's financial crisis with many people having limited funds there isn't much room for greedy retailers either. Another great video Nick. Have a great Christmas with Jill 🎄

[@GENerationXplorers]

thank you Andy, id say probably about 10% closed so still lots of places to shop. the footfall is quite possibly unrivalled in the North so if you have a shop there you will get the customers. that small shop I saw which was charging £59,500 per year in rent would have to cover £4000 a week before they made any profit. its hard to imagine who could cover that amount from such a small ground floor space. the closure of all the local post offices really moved me off the high street when it comes to buying cards. buying from the high street requires an additional trip to the town centre to queue for hours in WHSmith to post it. I did all mine through moonpig this year but had then overlooked someone local, I went to town and bought a card id bought on moonpig for £1 dearer than i could have bought it delivered online. Have a great Christmas, we actually have all our shopping done (it’s a first), off to the country to revitalise the senses!

[@wind.del.change]

the name york comes from the nordic word yore, meaning tomorrow. this new pasture settled back in 1400bc was known as tomorrows land. yoreshire. and the capital was proclaimed yore, of yoreshire. eventually recorded as yorc in the year 200ad, and york from the norman control of the lands in 1085

[@GENerationXplorers]

Hi there, wow thank you so much for this that is so interesting! It’s a beautiful city with so much history just a shame about the empty units! have a great week 👍

[@wind.del.change]

yore welcome....@@GENerationXplorers

[@arilebon]

PE own amount of commercial properties in some countries. These were purchased with high debts that have to be serviced. And in-turn leveraged for other investments. The key is the book value of these properties. Hence the rental rates remain despite vacancies (lower rent will reduce booked value which will in-turn impact leveraging).

[@GENerationXplorers]

you make some very good points about reduced book value impacting leveraging. that being said it almost forces the landlords hands to keep rents at the highest value possible. they have a longer term strategy they need to play out. Really helpful comment, thank you and gives me a wider appreciation of what is going on..

[@stephentaege6255]

Great video yet again nick it was always my late father's dream to own a Shop that we could live upstairs together cheers Stephen 🤠✌️,🍀

[@GENerationXplorers]

Sorry Stephen thought I had replied to this earlier. Yes it was my dream at one point too. Even before the rate, rent and energy hike crisis i thought the only business that would be sustainable would be a fish and chip shop. With that you would face stiff competition though..

[@nationalparksprincess3216]

It's sad to see 😢 I'm actually probably the only person that has never bought online, or used amazon. Hopefully the future will see these places open back up at some point.

[@GENerationXplorers]

Well done to you! That needs to be some kind of award! Wonder how long you can go without doing! Sounds like us we have only just got a smartphone been using the old school Nokias until recently but life proved too difficult without a smart phone so we had to give in! Have a lovely Christmas 🎄❤️

[@cmasseylynch]

Greedy landlords Greedy landlords Greedy landlords

[@GENerationXplorers]

It really is. It doesn’t help that the value of the building is based on its rentable value either, the two things should be separate so that landlords could negotiate a lower rent if it kept the building occupied.

[@James-kv6kb]

No it's actually the internet sucking every single dollar out of people instead of them spending their money in the community . 20 years ago we didn't have to pay for entertainment

[@reluctantfellrunner]

Shocking isn't it. Best wishes to you both and to your channel in 2024.

[@GENerationXplorers]

You too JBB ❤️🎄👍

[@andywright3450]

Hi mate cracking video enjoy it ..... Will u come too Sheffield please thanks

[@GENerationXplorers]

Absolutely Andy, we are looking at places for the next series of Boarded Up. will definitely visit 👍

[@bernzgeronachannel]

Good evening my friend nice sharing so beautiful place thank you for sharing full watching from Philippines

[@GENerationXplorers]

many thanks 👍

[@mmaramotswe1024]

Lockdowns ruined so much.

[@GENerationXplorers]

you are right and also with the easiness of online shopping delivered straight to your door 👍

[@James-kv6kb]

The whole idea of the pandemic was the wipeout small business and of course the Chinese who released the virus made billions of dollars while everybody was trapped at home and couldn't spend their money in the community

[@openmindedwonderer]

Such a shame what is happening to our high streets. Merry Christmas to you both, much love ❤

[@GENerationXplorers]

It really is, changing times but something needs to be done with these empty premises! Merry Christmas Cara 🎄❤️

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I'm one of those middle ages people who enjoys visiting York! haha

[@GENerationXplorers]

us too Dara, even though we both did our time crafting our business whilst making our bills paid the hard way part time there, it is still our favoured part of England. ♥️

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I can't believe Boots is closing stores!!!

[@GENerationXplorers]

there will be no store in proximity to a mile another and if there is a Boots on a retail park anywhere near a city or town store that has probably already closed. I think Boots will be around (in some fashion) this time next year, but if it’s to do it’s due diligence to share holders they need to close anything but airports and retail parks effective immediately..

[@tracythomas132]

I haven’t been to York since 2019, and shops were starting to close then, but I thought it could survive with the tourists. I live only 30 miles away in Hull which the city centre is dead, compared to the heyday of what I remember of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Internet and out of town shopping, and lately austerity, has taken away the soul of the high street.

[@GENerationXplorers]

Spot on Tracy, it’s exactly that isnt it? I do wonder about the fourteen years of Austerity though and exactly what impact that has had. would the decline been as rapid under a different Government? its hard to know. would another Government tackle greedy landlords, help with business rates? maybe. the big thing and this is definitely the Tory Pro Corporate mentality is not charging Amazon Corporation Tax. they have been allowed to expand rapidly without any real cost to themselves.

[@TiTiSuwardhi]

It’s so sad to see this .. I think it’s not only at your place - it affected Europe too specially where we live in TUSCANY - many cute artisanal and boutique shops closed changed with giant supermarket or dept store - small business is dying - this is heartbreaking to see it happening there too ..

[@GENerationXplorers]

Hi TiTi yes since doing this kind of video we have come to realise from the comments it is happening the world over! think we need to accept the changes and hope down the line something good will come if it! merry Christmas to you and yours in Tuscany 🎄❤️

[@TiTiSuwardhi]

@@GENerationXplorers I hope so too, though I still wish that the government would help those artisans and small businesses to help them adapt to the new way of trading and running a businesses - this way we would not be losing all the personal touch of the talented artisans.

[@TiTiSuwardhi]

@@GENerationXplorers sending you a lovely Christmas vibe from ours to yours

[@GENerationXplorers]

Hi Titi hope you have the very best Christmas ever!

[@GENerationXplorers]

We do need more creativity and small independents on the high street, the rates at the very least should be proportionate to their profits!

[@libmananchannel]

Hello “GENeration Xplorers”! Thank you for showing us such a wonderful video! I feel so happy! I look forward to your next work! Have a nice day!

[@GENerationXplorers]

thank you so much 🙏 we do plan to do more boarded up videos in 2024, stay tuned!

[@ervinslens]

This looks really desolated, it's sad to see all these closed shops.

[@GENerationXplorers]

Hi Ervin it is a shame, changing times though! Merry Christmas 🎄❤️

[@innertube47]

I live in Selby, 14 miles away. York was traditionally the place to go for the shops. Nowadays no one goes for shopping except maybe toward Xmas, they go to the Designer Outlet at Fulford, or Monk’s Cross. York is only for boozing now, largely as the pubs in Selby are crap..

[@GENerationXplorers]

What with the races, the two Unis and them coming down by the train load from the North York is certainly the place to go for drinking. its even behind some of the anti social behaviour that has led to shops closing John! 👍

[@innertube47]

@@GENerationXplorers ha! Yes, years ago they used to close the pubs in Selby because of trouble from people on coaches passing through on their way back from the races

[@GENerationXplorers]

@innertube47 they are a nightmare arent they? Cheap suits, fascinators and pissed up aggro all over York!

[@PostcardAndAPint]

York was on our list to visit this year - Christmas market! Thanks to illness in Wills work we never made it. This is so sad to see. The Shambles is beautiful. Energy prices, inflation and business rates have so much to answer for. Browns has gone from Chester! We now have to travel 20 miles if we need to actually use a bank, this country has gone downhill so much - and the an almost 5% rise in rail fares coming! Shocking! Interesting video. Cheers (PS - bring back Jilly!!) Happy Christmas 🍻

[@GENerationXplorers]

Oh wow, Browns has gone from Chester? That’s horrible news, honestly did not know that. I was hoping they were bucking the trend. For goodness sake. Jilly is in a lot of the shop windows! That might be all we see of her sadly for a little while but goodness me she does a massive amount of the joint work that goes into these. After mincepiegate last week and premieregate for the last seven weeks the gloves are well and truly off for us to get back in lane. If you’re expecting happier news next week I’d say avoid this channel. We are planning a lovely look at 2024 and it isn’t pretty.. that being said we hope you guys have a lovely Christmas and 20 miles to travel to a bank branch? Id say in a years time you could probably double that.. ♥️🍻

[@PostcardAndAPint]

@@GENerationXplorers it went a fair few years back - and had always been the backbone of Chester - that being said, Chester is doing well! New market new cinema in town. We’re going to be doing a 2023/2024 vid too. I think we’re staying in the travel lane. Honestly December is a bad month - it was terrible for us last year and although 5 times better this year, still a weak month, so don’t stress it too much. Have a brilliant Christmas and fingers crossed a meet up can happen in 2024. Cheers 🍻

[@GENerationXplorers]

@PostcardAndAPint absolutely we would love that guys! Yes it’s sad given our joint love of Christmas that December is a weaker month for views. Don’t worry after Krampus next year it will all be doom and gloom for all those lovely grinches! 😂

[@DonnaTaibossigai]

I thought I was having a bout of de ja vu! It's sad to see so many shops closed up. The colorful paintings on the windows are nice though. Hopefully things will turn around in the next few years. I wish you two a pleasant Christmas.

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thank you Donna! You too 👍❤️

[@stephenhopps910]

Got to be the high rates and online shopping 🛍

[@GENerationXplorers]

Absolutely right Stephen. It’s one thing a change in Government could possibly help with, how business rates are determined. if they were a proportion of a shops profit rather than fixed that would go a long way to help. Less money for the Councils but better than no money from all those empty units!

[@SuperSimon62]

Hi guys anoyher great hard hiting video .very well put togethet and its such ashame to see what a state our country is in .both of you have a gteat christmasx

[@GENerationXplorers]

thank you Simon and we are super excited for your Christmas video. I sincerely hope that Lindfield will always buck the national trend with its lovely independent traders. just had a scan over the wider area of your lovely Borough and there is nothing under threat from closure there! it would not surprise me one bit if a lot of MPs live in lovely Lindfield. Have a wonderful Christmas 👍

[@SuperSimon62]

@@GENerationXplorers my christmas video is out nowx

[@GENerationXplorers]

@SuperSimon62 wow, great news, heading over..

[@AnnasBurningCuriosity]

It's the same here. Here you can blame the landlords in putting up the rents too high

[@GENerationXplorers]

absolutely right Anna. this was a real eye opener for us. we got to see first hand greedy landlords giving the first six months at a discounted rate and then if the business was successful putting the rent up ten fold. this was our first experience of this. sad to see. good spot

[@christinebeames712]

We were paying £25.000 per year rent 30 years ago for a single unit in bury centre

[@GENerationXplorers]

yikes Christine that is a crazy amount to cover. were the rates 12.5K on top of that too? 😱

[@Andrew-rc3vh]

It's modern day feudalism.

[@novicehiker]

Thanks for another really interesting video in this series, Nick. They must take a toll, particularly when you are visiting places you have lived / worked that are so close to home. I spend a lot of time in York and it is definitely sad to see so many boarded up shops. It really does demonstrate that no amount of footfall or affluence in an area can save a struggling high street. It's a beautiful city and one with some truly inspirational spaces - the fantastic Spark York open community space being one example. I would hope it is a place where a more radical imagining of the high street may be possible, but only time will tell. Wishing you both a wonderful New Year and I hope you had a lovely Christmas. Emily x Just a note too in reply to another comment regarding the cost of the Minster, I believe the ticket is valid for a year. I nearly fell over when I took my cousin around and paid (through gritted teeth) the eye-watering price for a look around for two of us. However, I understand those tickets can be used for 12 months. This makes it much better value if you live local (although it is already free to residents and students in York) and expect to make repeat visits with visitors, but definitely hugely overpriced for a one-off visit!

[@GENerationXplorers]

Hi there Emily and Happy New Year 🥳 to you also! We had a quiet but lovely Christmas hope you had a good one? That’s it for another year 🙃 thanks for the info on the York minster that’s a great price for 12 months did that include the roof tour? probably not that is probably extra! Thank you for your ongoing support! All the best 🍾❤️👍

[@warrenbooth2103]

Council Tax is killing the high St.

[@wind.del.change]

the councils are killing the economy.

[@KreatorSupportChanel773]

Brilliant. Happiness and Joy to you. Have a blessed time. Greetings ~ Milan

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thank you! You too 👍🎄❤️

[@littleBIGGRiggs]

Hello Nick & Jill, I was actually on time for the premiere, but I forgot you won’t doing one today. Watching Now… Have a fantastic Christmas🎄

[@GENerationXplorers]

Oh sorry Bigg Riggs! Having a few weeks off premiers but will still be posting videos at the same time! much love and Happy Holidays 👍❤️🎄

[@PhilipOlsen11]

Brilliant yet a shame. Sad that the outlet place is packed, yet the shops are closing in the high street. Great job as usual 👍❤️

[@GENerationXplorers]

I really thought when starting this journey that it would be a case of some places are failing and others are succeeding. Sadly after seeing the extent of closed shops in York I no longer have any hope for the high street. Looking forward to 2024 and knowing which banks, pubs and shops are struggling things will be much bleaker in a years time. I keep thinking to your lovely Cardiff videos, maybe there are some places places that are bucking the trend. Sadly York isn’t one of them. Have an awesome Christmas Phil, much love to you and your family ♥️

[@PhilipOlsen11]

@@GENerationXplorers thank you so much Nick. Funnily enough, since watching your videos I’m even more aware of the death of the high street. Cardiff city centre has large areas where there’s no vacant shops but other areas where it’s similar to other towns. Also like other cities, Cardiff has incorporated towns with their unique shopping centres. Again depending on the type of area, the closure rate is very varied. Think you need to take more that 1 A4 paper in your next journey 😢

[@GENerationXplorers]

@photographybyphil it’s hard to accept isnt it that these places that we love and that have been a central part of our shopping experience for decades will soon be no more. Seeing all these “to let” signs on massive retail spaces that have been stood vacant for years is just ridiculous. Local councils need the money and power to compulsory acquire these units if they have stood vacant for a period of time and re class them for residential or leisure purposes. Every Council should have a “set-aside” to be able to do this. But when you have Councils going bankrupt and struggling to even provide core services it just makes you wonder where did it all start to go wrong? I think you’re right Phil, a ream of A4 next time! 😂

[@glyn829]

Blimey Nick I'm surprised 😲 last time we visited York it was great and really busy

[@GENerationXplorers]

Hi Glynn it was packed when there so we were so shocked to see so many closed! The footfall in York will always be huge but not enough to make them shop there although we visited the retail park on the outskirts and that was rammed! Merry Christmas 🎄👍

[@no_soy_rubio]

Closed shops with nice pictures on the outside 🤦‍♂️ literally painting over the cracks. Amazing how this can happen in one of the most touristy and popular cities in the country. And as you say, the shops have been closed for a couple of years almost, proving that either the rents are too high or people are just going to Retail Parks like the one you mentioned at the end of the video (the American model)

[@GENerationXplorers]

“Painting over the cracks”, wish I’d used that, it describes the situation perfectly Matt. it really does seem, particularly in York that the American Model has been adopted, the retail parks on the outside are vast and I know of people from Scarborough that get the train to York frequently and then jump immediately on the return bus to the retail parks, they don’t spend a single minute in York City Centre. Sadly there is no way the shops in the centre, even if they have a great product and are also operating online, with the higher rents and rates can afford to compete. When the Banks all close, which the sooner they do the better for them and probably us it will leave a huge empty space on the high street that without a clear plan could take decades to fill.

[@no_soy_rubio]

@@GENerationXplorers I went into my bank about a year ago to ask them about a credit card and they told me to go and apply for it online. They don't want people in the banks anymore. I think town centres will just become residential in the future. I must admit I am surprised it's happening in York of all places though, one of the most touristy cities in the country!

[@GENerationXplorers]

@no_soy_rubio Really have to feel for the Seniors who rely on post offices, banks and high streets, it will all vanish. We need to break down these big towns and cities into smaller wards which have communities that feed off their local essential shops. It’s not a model that can be adopted everywhere but I was heartened to see one big unit being actively turned into residential apartments with another plans in place to become a hotel. Whilst the new apartments will be anything but affordable, the occupancy rate and demand in York is so high that if they turned every closed shop into hotels, hostels and the like they would all be full. Obviously they are listed as commercial retail but the Council should bend over backwards to change the status when applications come across their desks..

[@actionz100]

Just as in your country across the pond has been declining for many many years. All caused by the same lot that is destroying civilised cities around the world

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thanks for watching and commenting! very true! have a great weekend 👍

[@pagrant]

Sheffield City Centre

[@GENerationXplorers]

Sheffield is high on my list. Boarded Up is back this week but after a few other instalments Sheffield will be featured!

[@ramblingracheltrailtales]

I think the hay day of the High Street had its peak in the 90s 🥴

[@GENerationXplorers]

your absolutely right Rachel. it was the 90s when these retailers bought up these massive units on the high streets that were way too big for their needs. they are now left with a lot of debt and shareholder dissatisfaction! !

[@CowboyJojosAdventures]

Lets hope the older effluent population will spend their cash. We do have a similar situation in Australia with many closed shops. People are still eating out, just the retail is struggling. Lets hope things improve in the coming years. Sad to see. Merry Christmas Nicholas and Jill. 🌲🎅🏻♥

[@GENerationXplorers]

Yeah our town and city centres need to become living quarters with eatery and drinking hubs! all retail needs to be online or in retail outlets! Merry Christmas Peter and Joseph! Looking forward to your video and no we don’t believe you are 60 it’s all lies 😘❤️

[@CowboyJojosAdventures]

@@GENerationXplorers yes it is a lie, but the body feels it sometimes 😂

[@GENerationXplorers]

😂😘😘😘

[@Top.Mallorca]

Very interesting! Greetings from Palma de Mallorca!

[@GENerationXplorers]

Hi there thank you! All the best 👍

[@masudurrahman700]

Is Stockport town centre becoming ghost centre

[@GENerationXplorers]

We will look into this and maybe cover thank you 👍

[@nigelsmith1635]

The Roman Baths pub in York is going to be changed into a sports bar...

[@GENerationXplorers]

Oh no, that seems a poor choice for that venue.

[@goexploringwithcolor-shawn]

It’s so sad to see this situation, seems everywhere is same. Hopefully it will get better, but who knows. Still Merry Christmas to you guys 🎄🎅🌲🎉🎉

[@GENerationXplorers]

It is sad but it’s changing societies which we need to accept! merry Christmas ❤️👍

[@WomanOutdoors]

Wow those storefronts look just like ours! I guess the real estate and homelessness is everywhere now. We have fingers crossed in November things will turn around before this nation falls apart!

[@GENerationXplorers]

Gosh it’s a really shocking turn of events. just been reading about several massive American chains that are struggling so much to stay open due to organised crime, theft and robberies. A lot of the high street closures in York also cited robberies as a real issue on the high street. this seems to be a huge issue in our cities where organised street gangs will routinely operate on the high street. it certainly needs a powerful change in November, fingers crossed! 👍

[@davidadams2823]

Britain is changing at a very fast rate.....I personally don't recognise my country......I can only imagine or take a really good guess that they'll be snatched up and turned into mostly HMO. There are 113 currently in our hometown and another one is in a process on Dean Road so that'll be 114. Sad proper sad that our high street is disappearing.

[@GENerationXplorers]

wow, I really didn’t realise there were that many Dave, that is a shocking amount, all benefitting greedy landlords. think we need to cover the HMO aspect on a video.

[@davidadams2823]

@@GENerationXplorers Hi Nick hi Gill , my missus is getting evicted but the section 21 isn't legit and we have a document from the council to back my missus up ,, but the landlords have become aggressive earlier today on the phone.... I'm into politics and I try my hardest to keep updated with everything especially when I see homeless people on the street and HMO everywhere , my missus landlords have said that they have put it on the market but now they have workers already for this Friday ,, when I explained that we went to the council and the section 21 wasn't legit they got clever with an attitude so I gave it back ,,, I H spoken to the police because they were dealing with a issue up near b&q . They advised to not let the landlord bully , and document everything ,,, I also have downloaded PDF on England's laws on everything..... I think it is a great idea to do a HMO video.

[@museonfilm8919]

@@davidadams2823 Yes, document EVERYTHING, and don't make agreements verbally, action everything in writing. I had a utilities company on my case for five years. It got to the point where they charged £2k for 'costs' and to remove the gas meter. I went to the ombudsman with all of my documented replies and proof, and the case was thrown out. It can take time, but be diligent, because there are actually laws these landlords and companies have to follow.

[@SwissAlps1]

Merry Christmas 🎄 It’s so sad .. beautiful city but the situation is so shocking

[@GENerationXplorers]

It is, thank you and merry Christmas 🎄❤️

[@TheHikingHermit]

Hi Nick, first of all I was like did I miss a premiere. Then it was phew you just published it. Looks like no where is safe. I blame a lot of it on the councils with their legalised theft. I wouldn't be surprised if those shops down the Shambles have to pay more hence some are shut. Online shopping has killed a lot off too. I know I shop online cos I hate shopping. Where there is shops there is people 😂or maybe not anymore. Quite the list of shops gone. Merry Christmas 👍Paul

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thank you Paul 🙏 yes if Councils fixed business rates and the profitability of a business then that would be a much fairer model. Sadly we are seeing greedy landlords also pushing there prices up and even only agreeing short term leases with dramatic price hikes on a lease renewal. Online and retail parks are the future sadly. They are an unstoppable force with which we have to bow in front of. Let’s have more residential properties, green spaces and leisure facilities where once these high street shops were..

[@TheHikingHermit]

@@GENerationXplorers the town where I live they built a bypass so traffic didn't need to go thro town. Now the bypass is more busy than town cos they built a load of retails parks on the bypass. Retail shops in town are a rare commodity unless you count charity shops. Landlords are also probably getting screwed too. Tho some landlords are so big they don't care. You'd think it was all by design 🤔

[@GENerationXplorers]

@TheHikingHermit absolutely right Paul and an amazing point. The rich landlords are probably generations thick set in they don’t realise or care how much money they are haemorrhaging, all they want is top dollar for there less than market value handed down properties. The councils need to be given executive powers to buy up these properties at market value if they have stood empty for any period of time so that they can be repurposed for something the community needs..

[@TheHikingHermit]

@@GENerationXplorers I'd say less council and government intervention. If you traced back to the root of the current issues I'd bet it started from their intervention. It's one intervention after another with the next one "fixing" the previous one that went pear shaped.

[@jonjon9047]

Short sighted and greedy City of York Council allowed a new shopping park to be built outside York which contributed greatly to the death of the city centre. The rates for businesses in town remain high and the useless Tories continue to allow the cost of living crisis to go on unchecked.

[@GENerationXplorers]

Absolutely right Jon, this has all happened under Tory rule. Rishi recently granted 47 high streets a 20 million pledge at 1 million a year for the next twenty years. falls under the blanket term of “rejuvenating the failing high street”. without and planning or guidance I’m not sure what a million a year would achieve, undoubtedly lost of expensive consultations that never come to fruition. Meanwhile the situation will only rapidly decline. Even beyond the current cost of living crisis increased customer spending won’t be spent on the high street.

[@Ellieskitchen]

At one time../ long ago:.. this was a great place to be

[@GENerationXplorers]

Hi there, thanks for your comment! York is still a great place to visit with lots of tourist spots but something better needs to be done, like everywhere with these closed shops! Have a great weekend and Happy New Year 👍

[@10YearsBehind]

Filey will be a great place to do one of these videos 🤙

[@GENerationXplorers]

Filey has a massive amount of Charity Shops doesnt it? A lot of the others are seasonal or only open limited hours. I’ll venture out that way this week Rory, thanks!

[@10YearsBehind]

Merry Christmas to you and your girlfriend by the way and I wish you both all the best for 2024

[@GENerationXplorers]

@rorybanken1986 thank you Rory, the same to you too! I shall be keeping my eyes peeled for you when I’m in town 👋

[@PinnedonPlaces]

I think with your title, the simple answer, no. Nowhere is safe now, continuing to plough sadly into decline. 5000 banks closing is crazy itself, next year i fear most of them will be it's all a push to go online and use technology. Crazy to see this in a thriving city like York, but truly nowhere is safe. Always enjoy your thought provoking videos Nick and Jill, you're both ace. Thank you for sharing and showing us the true realties of the high street x Merry Christmas my gorgeous friends x

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thank you so much Alessa. We really missed all the lovely banter tonight. If this whole premiere viewing number debacle continues we will possibly hold off premiering ours for longer but that’s not to say we won’t be jumping in to everyone else’s prems whenever we can, we miss you all dearly. Tonight was an exercise in proving what we have suspected for several weeks, if you premiere your views won’t start until the last person leaves your premiere meaning that those views from people attending sadly won’t count. We have several theories on this and a ton of photographic proof. Anyway all our love and we are looking forward to enjoying your video soon and our view will count xxx

[@PinnedonPlaces]

Ahhh, i totally TOTALLY understand. It's such a shame that premieres are actually hindering views and the chance for the video to go out to more people etc. You ultimately have to do what you think is right for yourself and your channel! So i'm with you on that. Also sending the warmest wishes and hugs!! Have a wonderful Christmas guys xxx@@GENerationXplorers

[@GENerationXplorers]

@@PinnedonPlacesah thank you so much Alessa. I hope they sort it soon. We’ll still be popping into prems. Maybe if premiere attendees rewatched after the premiere finished. It’s an awful lot to ask though! Hope your Xmas is the best yet. All our love xx

[@ammarkhan_8]

Big thumbs up for your wonderful content my dear friend 🤩 please stay in touch ✅🔔🤩

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thanks and sure 👍❤️

[@yanowski5645]

YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD .... GREEDY LANDLORDS AND GREEDY COUNCIL RATES ... RIP YORK

[@GENerationXplorers]

well said but to be fair York is doing better than many! watch this space for more York videos! have a great weekend 👍

[@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw]

There's no shortage of footfall or customers here. The conclusion must be that it's business rates plus astronomical rents that are killing the high streets. If shops are closing in York, one of the greatest tourist hotspots in the country, what hope is there for the rest ?

[@GENerationXplorers]

@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw I know I’ve been back there twice this week just to enjoy (and film) all the positive things the city has to offer and for my money it’s THE best city in England. I’m astounded by the closed shops. It’s even happening in Whitby now. Over the last 5 months almost a third of their shops have shut which is insane given that the shop units are tiny AND there is a festival or event there almost every weekend. York and now Whitby suffering provide me with less answers and more questions. If these places cannot survive, where possibly can?

[@musicnature007]

Hello เป็นข้อมูลที่น่าสนใจมากเพื่อน Follow the next episode 🔔

[@GENerationXplorers]

Thank you as always ❤️

[@QPRTokyo]

Time to turn them into homes.

[@GENerationXplorers]

I definitely think so. and the more homes you have the more local shops are needed. it would be a win win!

[@MashaAllahYummyFood]

Stay connected brother 🌸🌸🌸

[@GENerationXplorers]

Always MashaAllah 🙏

[@wind.del.change]

20 years ago i would visit places like this, but since they ramped up the property prices, i dont want to go visit a boomers paradise. so i dont.

[@GENerationXplorers]

just imagine the prices on those new apartments being built in the City Centre where once there was retail.. ..any guesses at the starting prices?

[@wind.del.change]

i wouldnt be interested. the times gone. id rather retire early. its someone elses job now.@@GENerationXplorers

[@MishMash22]

All those beautiful buildings. Yet we continue to build horrible cheap and nasty modern buildings that make you want to throw up.

[@GENerationXplorers]

its so sad isnt it? a real eclectic mix in York with some of the best architecture in Europe rubbing shoulders with some horrendous 50s to 70s monstrosities!

[@MishMash22]

@ so true 👍

[@ddunn3489]

Well great video !👍🏽👍🏽 But maybe its Government....young generation...and Amazon....😂😢😢

[@GENerationXplorers]

Think you have just done the what 3 words for our video ‘government, generation, Amazon’ 😂 superb! Merry Christmas ddunn 👍🎄

[@ddunn3489]

@@GENerationXplorers MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!! TO YOU !!