GROTTY PLACES - Trafalgar Center in Chatham

Since this video, this place has very sadly closed down. This video shows how the Trafalgar center was a few months before it closed with only a third of the shops open.
Note: Even though in this video I am talking about how grotty this place is, I never wanted it to have closed down. I really like grotty places like this because they are fun! (and part of the fun is to comment on how grotty they are!). I really enjoy exploring places like this. When places like this are either closed down or cleaned up, it is a real loss. grotty places have lots of character, and finding and exploring these places is far more fun than going to some organised tourist attraction.
See my video of this place when it closed down....
• Update on grotty Chath...

[@b.p4958]

0:42 Oh boy how times have changed! Beno I hope your views on weed have changed, the world have seen the light and many parts of the world have legalised it for the good. The laws that the uk have towards weed is hypocritical and the government is supporting crime by not legalising it and allowing gangs to profit from sales of weed . And that’s sad

[@benolifts]

This video was from 9 years ago. Back then I didn't know as much about the subject of weed. So maybe I did speak without being as informed as I should, although, in this video I was more focusing on the ridiculousness of the shop being completely open about how they were getting around the law. In the present day, I know of many places that blatantly avoid the law, but I wont go into detail on this as it would breach trust with certain friends that use weed. Also, the cannabis ornaments and imagery in the shop does not make a good impression of the positives of cannabis use. They are very ugly and hideous. As for my views about cannabis today, my views are not exactly positive. I know many people that smoke weed who talk about the benefits of cannabis. But watching from the outside, I see so many issues around the subject that I can not say I agree with cannabis use. Here are my main reasons why I don't support the use of cannabis... 1. It takes away peoples motivation to achieve things. On many occasions I have been with a group of motivated people to do a mission, then they start smoking weed, and the weed makes them feel so good with themselves they no longer feel motivated to do the mission anymore as the cannabis has made them happy without achieving anything. I would never want to live like this. I have many urbex missions I want to get done. I can't see that the world is a better place if people feel completely satisfied without having to first put in effort to achieving first. 2. It is a gateway drug to Tabaco. I am strongly against Tabaco. I am old enough to remember what the country was like before the smoking ban. There was disgusting cigarette smoke everywhere. And people would have their cigarettes right in your face without realizing that other people dont like this. Shopping centers always had bad air from everyone smoking. The number of people smoking has greatly reduced since the smoking ban, but the numbers are on the rise again. This is due people adding Tabaco to their weed. The fact that people smoke weed means it also means that people are more willing to also try Tabaco and get addicted to it. 3. It is a gateway drug to crack cocaine. I have seen people rolling triple cigarettes. In goes the brown stuff, in goes the green stuff, and in goes the white stuff. This is very dangerous. As taking cannabis desensitized people to illegal drugs, it means that people have less fear to trying cocaine. 4. Long term affects are not known. It is very hard to tell what the affects of THC are. There are too many other factors that makes getting meaningful statistics are not easy. The same can be said about nicotine. There is so much conflicting information from people passionately on both sides of the debate. The fact is at the moment nobody really knows if nicotine vapes (without tabaco) are good or bad for you. The same with THC. It is very hard to know what bad effects it may or may not have. Finally, my opinion on weed is that I would not want to see it legalized in the street. I feel this would set a bad example and would lead to far too many people taking it, and it becoming too normalized. But I do feel that their should be designated cannabis shops where people can consume cannabis within the shop but are forbidden to take it out of the shop. Also the shops must only be for vaping cannabis, not smoking, so it can't be a gateway for Tabaco and cocaine. Cannabis is safer than Tabaco and possibly may be safer than alcohol, which makes it hard to argue that it should still remain illegal. Although with that said, I do not take Tabaco, alcohol or cannabis and I have no plans of starting.

[@b.p4958]

@@benolifts I do see your point and understand the current views you have on weed and also agree with some of this points you have mentioned. With point 1, I for one can say that it’s different to everybody, weed can have different affects on everybody, as a smoker myself I have met a few who have reacted differently to weed and have met some who have lost their motivation in life but met those who have kept their motivation as well, and me personally I have not lost mine. With point 2, I can’t say I would agree or disagree as I do not know if it’s a gateway to tobacco, but I do know that many people make reefers to hide the smell of weed when they are smoking in public. With point 3, I do agree that it is a gateway drug to coke and harder drugs that I don’t think people should consume, there is KZbinr called CosmicSkeptic who made a really good point about the subject of whether it’s a gateway to harder stuff. I’ll link it here if you would like to watch it. And will also link the full video kzbin.info5iLosrNIhi8?feature=share kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5_SgWOrl9tkisU With point 4, I do agree not much is really known and truly known about THC, everything is muddled and two sided in opinions on whether it’s safe or harmful, but I suppose for know that it’s far safer than other legal drugs such as cigarettes and alcohol. And I do agree that the knowledge we have now makes it hard to argue on whether this country should make it legal or not And your opinion at the end, I do agree with the designated cannabis shops, but I have to say that the government is to stupid not to see the benefits and potential of legalising weed, as Russell Howard beautifully puts it in his comedy show recently. This conservative government can tax it and pay off the debt that the country is currently in. And in my opinion I do believe that by legalising it, crime will be reduced as gangs will lose about 15 - 25% of their income. But that’s not to say that gangs won’t profit from the sales from other drugs! But weed currently is brining in huge profits for gangs at the moment. A good example can be prohibition in the 1920s, with mobsters and gangs in American hugely profiting from the sales of illegal alcohol made by gangsters, and illegal nightclubs and speakeasy’s opening all over the states. But overall you are free to speak your mind and it’s up to you to take whatever substance you want, whether it might be alcohol, tobacco, weed etc.

[@realfrowz]

​@@benoliftsi 100 percent agree

[@awesometrainsandbuses]

London: I'm the best for chavs Chatham: hold my beer

[@elevatorsinwales9792]

Did you mean, Chatham: Hold My Weed.

[@thefatcontroller4094]

Chavham

[@redsinsaneurbex7691]

*Swale watches eagerly

[@5T0RMYofficial]

@@elevatorsinwales9792 we don’t say that in the uk we say hold my beer

[@villagernumber77]

2:48 “The main event” cuts to the backrooms

[@IronFistLaw75]

I only live a few minutes from this place. Back in the 90's this place used to be rather popular, mainly in part due to the Kwik Save superstore towards the back. There were also a few eating establishments & a variety of shops/units. We always took the lifts after shopping as the stairway always stunk lol. Oh & that thing at 2.42 is noo noo from teletubbies xD

[@johnmorrisonsdiysmore45]

2:44 that is amutec noo-noo kiddie ride

[@simosimouk]

As a former chathamite living in Wales now, I love visiting your older Medway videos. ‘It’s really grotty!’ Has been with me for years 😂 I remember coming here for a star burger in the old awesome food court with neon signs while looking at my new jurassic park toys from D&A Toys 😇

[@elevatorsinwales9792]

simosimo I honestly still think Chatham is still better than Wales... well it depends what part of Wales...

[@elevatingtorontobytoronele1143]

That creepy thing is Noo Noo

[@thehotelandelevatorsfan2007]

5:52 I like this lift

[@caystreward]

Used to be Safeway Supermarket

[@franciscomarcosiborra8164]

The carpark lifts are Hyundai Type 41

[@foxslifts]

no they are not

[@gabrielcoyle9049]

Do the lifts still exist

[@CaptainGraviton]

You sir are a genius. Screw the haters.

[@pkatryk]

+Beno the creepy kids ride is from teletubies

[@abbeymaddox3114]

its actully the teletubies hoover thing lol

[@OfficerWagonRealVGCP]

The service lift's call panel doesn't have the Orange "LIFT COMING" light!

[@gabrielcoyle9049]

Do they lifts still exist ?

[@sameeralji3730]

The blue thing beno said was creepy was from telletubies

[@ELPaso1990TX]

2:07 noo noo from teletubbies lol

[@therealgriffithsvlogs1010]

ELPaso1990TX do you mean 2:45

[@yuyuko_s75]

yes, he does

[@ElTipoEspañol]

Teletubbies was my childhood

[@creationbeatsuk]

Wasn't the baby that was in the sun from chatham?

[@procksomaterman]

2:45 someting from telli-tubes

[@erikdonabidowicz958]

The Noo-Noo

[@MandelbrotSetStudios69420lol]

*2:45 (oh wait a second this is an 10 year old comment)

[@Luzycki_Milosnik_Kolei]

Noo-noo

[@MrStouffer99]

This is awesome ! please introduce us to more grotty places !

[@melcomepay6668]

Thought it was closed? Used to be nice there years ago.

[@the_alex_ellis_channel6923]

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, that's why there is a comments section.

[@firstthingsfast9292]

Do a video of more grotty places! I love 'em!

[@OfficerWagonRealVGCP]

The shopping centre owner should next time not to demand D+A Lifts to modernize the lifts to the NCP car park and should well-maintain the service lift [and not to turn the service lift into a dumbwaiter only (I like it a half if it is a dumbwaiter lift)].

[@Squisheddd]

I've never been in that shop since it got closed down when I got old enough to get there by myself, but I am very shocked.

[@the_alex_ellis_channel6923]

Well, you don't live in the UK so technically it's not your problem, nor is it mine since I no longer live in the UK. So why continue to argue about this. You have made your point and that is that. You can't go around trying to hurt us because we express our opinions. Over half of our comments you have replied to now saying basically the same thing. we have had enough now. you can't go around and explain to everybody why they are wrong. We are all entitled to our opinions.

[@SummerADDE_Elevators]

This mall is just discusting! I would never set my foot around here, in case some wierd guy injects me with some wierd drug or something...

[@boahneelassmal]

2:42 oh my god it's the vacuum cleaner from the teletubbies *____* hated the teletubbies but the vacuum was dope!

[@TheSlighty]

Born and Bred in Chatham Luton (1972) during the 1980s this place was buzzing with an ace video game shop for my Commodore 64 games. Early 90s I used to chat to a hot blonde that worked in a shoe shop here, we got it together - filthy she was, good old Chatham Girls

[@benolifts]

This place is now abandoned. It is owned by NCP, who did not maintain the place. I have done a more detailed video of exploring it.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnOUh5qOgbponNU

[@TheSlighty]

Good work@@benolifts you love your lifts and mechanical stuff eh, it's a crying shame mind, as I say I only really remember this place as 'life' shops, shoppers, the hustle n bustle , now it is dead and ghostly reduced to something like a reality film horror movie. Much of my Chatham is in the memory bank now mate as it's mostly all gone, I think, only D&A Toys left of the childhood shops where I invested my paper round money

[@the-highland-bagpiper]

This place could be a dead ringer for the old Bull Ring in Birmingham. That was a brilliantly creepy place. I walked through it prior to demolition when all the shops were closed and empty. The only thing happening was a kind of market in the old bus station part and even then, there were hardly any people nosing around the stalls. It was so spooky having something so large in the middle of a major city and having it almost deserted.

[@curtisstephens775]

@2:47 NOO NOO!

[@PostTower]

if you would have the option of avoiding the law of nature, would you then do that? And what do you think follows next?

[@DialingSkyNet]

I couldn't tell from the video - is the model shop still there? I used to buy diecast cars from there when I was a kid. Would be a shame if it's shut down =(

[@Khurbanx]

Seen recneet photos of this place by other explores ( a few months back) and my good it looks grim as hell in there now!

[@Vortex5Australia]

Lovely !! :)

[@BrandonSmith-ly3lc]

I used to spend a lot of time in this place before it was closed down and even 15 years ago it looked exactly the same

[@the.internet]

Yeah me too, I hadn't been there since I was at the (also now demolished) city way college circa 2002. It's a real shame there has been no plans to help independent traders in the Medway towns and to keep the highstreets relevant. Compare Gillingham and Chatham to most high streets in East and West Kent and it's night and day. Shame what's become of these places, especially Gillingham, which has completely lost the plot on that side of town.

[@ethanfletcher3113]

I live in chavham

[@wisteela]

I'm a fan of grotty places too. I have no issue with cannabis, but that shop really was taking the piss. I love your reaction to the Noo Noo ride on. 😁 Yes, that old telephone sign is great.

[@billyhendren5753]

"I have no issue with cannabis" You smoke it! That's why you have no issue!

[@wisteela]

@@billyhendren5753 Well, I have done. 😜👍

[@billyhendren5753]

@@wisteela Oh, and you're so fucking proud(!) Why do you think the police seize it? Because they can? NO! BECAUSE IT'S ILLEGAL!

[@danielashby9877]

Imagine having a lifp and then chosing to say grotty over n over

[@TheskiperboysDK]

2:45 That is Noo Noo from teletubbies

[@jemimahdean4474]

I used to own Psychedelics in here. The OG head shop. Before 'Dark Times' descended and stayed. 😂

[@akyraisconfused]

2:45 it looks like vacuum cleaner in teletubbies

[@Bombiedude.]

And another bigger shame is only one of the carpark elevators/lifts seemed to be working as the other one seemed to have an out of service sign

[@1992stock]

Cause the lifts were built in the 70's I suppose the building was too - rather sad to see it all run down

[@the_alex_ellis_channel6923]

Video Response coming soon.

[@OfficerWagonRealVGCP]

Some suprising stuff during this video (It may NOT be funny. I'm not pranking you!!!): 1. 2:10 I'M SO FUCKING HAPPY 2. 2:48 Noo Noo (Teletubbies) 3. 5:42 SPOOKY telephone sign (Such creepy)

[@ELPaso1990TX]

Are those Evans lifts hydraulic? Just with them being so slow. I guess the service lift is probably hydraulic or scissor lifted?

[@benolifts]

ELPaso1990TX The car park Evans lifts are traction (originally single speed). They have a classic Evans sound. The service lift is actually more advanced. It has an Evans/O&K/Bennie 2 stage motor. I still don't know how these motors work. Maybe it initially connects the phases of the motor in a different way to create a slower starting frequency (as this was long before VF).

[@franciscomarcosiborra8164]

***** The Carpark Lifts are Hyundai Type 41 and this Fixtures are started for SUMOSOFTINC

[@airtranlover]

+benobve have you ridden the service lift?

[@mareecrawford5672]

No. there not hydro. there traction.

[@realfrowz]

​@@benoliftsKENT in general just seems odd

[@mossysturgess8929]

I was a kid when it was opened by Timmy Mallett. In Shops back then

[@NecroBourgeois]

LMAO :D If I remember correctly this was originally Finefair supermarket before it got divided up into a "shopping mall". It is gloriously grotty xD At 2.47 - I think that might actually be one of the original kiddie rides??? :O People need to be stoned to live there.

[@Bombiedude.]

7:10 one interesting thing is these actually used the american way of counting floors 1 and 2 instead of G and 1 that mustve been because the bottom floor doesnt open directly onto the ground floor but into the shopping area itself

[@keith800]

Nice vid,but why did not show the best shop in there ! The one that sells the diecast model cars and plastic construction kits it is the best shop in chatham high street. Nice pasenger lifts with example of chequer plate floors.

[@techspect9796]

How do you find these places? Do you travel a lot?

[@awesometrainsandbuses]

He likes traveling on buses and trains

[@OfficialRobertGaming]

Was that blood on the top floor

[@harry._.james_3084]

Where is it located apart from Chatham like post code

[@joshp5471]

Right in the town centre.

[@harry._.james_3084]

Josh P cheers haha, ive seen it now, looks a shit hole haha

[@joshp5471]

Harry._.james_ haha fairs. Going in next week with a mate. Looking forward to it 😂

[@harry._.james_3084]

Josh P christ haha, quality day out, add my ig. @harry._.james_

[@diabolicalpotatoe1589]

Chatham kinda reminds me of Gary Indiana US

[@paulkazjack]

Reminds me of Gillingham.

[@loungedemon]

That looked like genuine blood and subsidence, so either Chatham is more dangerous than I thought or Chatham is slipping into a bog

[@mrpoopheadcup6727]

I love thetrafalgar

[@subswithnovidschallenge-ue2rr]

No chatham is pretty dangerous especially Luton road plenty people got stabbed around there sadly

[@Trafficlightsfan]

2:45 the hoover from telly tubbies with out the pupils on the eye

[@sheslostcontrol24]

We have a place like this here, we call it "the dirt mall."

[@xx_mrawsomeyt_xx2525]

Haha

[@awesometrainsandbuses]

This is the grotty mall

[@SRBAnimate]

I like how it took them 10 whole years to demolish this building

[@benolifts]

Things can be very slow outside of London

[@EverydayEverything360]

R.I.P Trafalgar Centre :(

[@lizdowlingcodes6009]

Ahahaha the cannabis bit killed me. This centre is grotty AF.

[@the.internet]

It's gone now. Although I'm not sure 'how' gone? If it's just borded up I've a good mind to try and get in and take a look around. Will have to see if anyone's done any urban exploration vids/pics. I miss this place, used to go here from college circa 2002... Kwik Save and an old retro gaming/arcade shop. Would love to see if there are leftovers from these times left behind. The place probably has quite a history.

[@xx_mrawsomeyt_xx2525]

This reminds me of the kirkcadly indoor market

[@andrewbass6837]

This shopping centre is no longer open & now (or was) sat derelict. Infact I believe it closed down not long after you filmed this

[@benolifts]

After it closed down I did a horror comedy video there kzbin.info/www/bejne/mn3Ocmyve6ybfbc

[@Bombiedude.]

I think it was the cannabis shop’s fault this place went slightly bankerupt because probably not very many people went in when the store opened

[@AndrewG1989]

RIP Trafalgar Center Chatham.

[@grindcorejazz1392]

Nostalgia that place broken toliet door and yugioh club

[@MattSuguisAsFondAsEverrr]

My local literally looks like this centre

[@sameeralji3730]

Noo Noo

[@villagernumber77]

It is noo noo

[@HeritageElevators]

Most of us are born with a natural "care for others" instinct, so of course we would try to help the poor souls as good we can, and i am no different from that. But ultimately it is our own choice if, and how we want to interact with others. Because we are not obligated to do anything, but only guided by our morals, there is not talk about being born with any "social contract". As i said, we only have our own individual guidelines. And that was my whole point from the beginning.

[@kc0eks]

neat place. sad the canabis propoganda is here too though. its a plant...and very useful. otherwise that place is fun and weird.

[@SharonSimLee]

The OLd Lift is stop.

[@EverydayEverything360]

I SO want to do an URBEX there!!!!!!!!!!!! I just watched Night At The Trafaglar Center 2. It's amazing! I think I should do a Night At The Trafaglar Center there aswell.

[@PostTower]

I can not agree with this at 100 %. The society also has the responsibility NOT to let get lots of people to the dogs! I know a store nearby selling a lot of ultra cheap crap alcohol in an area full of poor people. Poverty also begins in the head and I saw alot people been hopeless trapped in such a life! I dislike to close this store down immediately by state force just because of what the stupid law says, BUT I highly recommend people TALK about if this can be tolerated or not!

[@liftfanintheuk8346]

Its a bit like the harlequins centre in exeter butthis place wayyy more grotty i walked through the harlequins centre and its very dead theres not even a single shop! but its closed down. soon to be demolished

[@firey4867]

I LIKE YOR VIDEOS

[@JohnDoe-bc5zq]

Shut up you typomaster. STOP TYPING RANDOM CHARACTERS OR SHUT UP AT ALL dumbass kid

[@OfficerWagonRealVGCP]

I agree with you Firey and I also like *****'s videos. :-)

[@Telfuke-ElevatorFan]

+John Doe Why don't you shut up.

[@ex5138]

John Doe I taste sodium chloride.

[@firey4867]

Ethan ITS NOT CHAVHAM ITS CHATHAM

[@websquawk]

Chatham, more like Chavham

[@771elevatorchap]

Beno I think you should live in Westbury, Wiltshire if there are chavs and lawbreakers there. I wouldn't want to live in Chatham.

[@aaronthefunnyboi5656]

Brad the Elevator Chap He does no live there

[@Joemerry1603]

Watch my video, upton upon severn basketball court, that's abandoned

[@SharonSimLee]

This Lift Got 5,4,3,2,1.

[@judeclark1]

No it was a damp floor with some water puddles in it

[@Bombiedude.]

This is so creepy that I wouldnt even go in there if 1 I lived in the UK which I dont and 2 if this place was still open

[@5T0RMYofficial]

I went too da trafoogy centa een chavham ee wass grooty

[@danyaylsoftheland]

7:06-is that blood?

[@corruptedshinnok9831]

Paint

[@barnseyb78]

now days they just sell the bong to smoke it

[@the_alex_ellis_channel6923]

What needs to be analyzed is what sort of people are buying cannabis in the shop. if the majority of people buying it are doctors using it for medicine, fair enough but if it is being bought by drug users (HINT: what did BENO say about the toilets?) then it's not legal.

[@SharonSimLee]

GOTTY MALL.

[@ganeshram72]

it is groty

[@railfanssm8672]

Beno: WHY DO THEY SELL DRUGS soo saint marie: We have 5 shops that sell it

[@lukedavis436]

I smell an urbex!

[@abbeymaddox3114]

lol chatham home of the chav

[@joemercedeschannel196]

02:43 That thing is a Noo-Noo

[@HeritageElevators]

We are all entitled to our opinions...and we are all entitled to debate. I reply to others comments/opinions simply because that is what debate is all about. You made a comment and i kindly replied to it. That hurts nobody else but if it hurts you, that's your own mysterious problem then... I can't really deal with that :S Most of your comments say the same, yes TRUE... which is most unfortunate.

[@melbournetransport15]

2:44 noo-noo is gonna eat you up and spit you out at the teletubby dome with the four of them surrounding you

[@singinglift409]

it cant be him he is orange

[@HeritageElevators]

technically it's not my problem... Well, never heard anything like that nonsense before. That one is new to me. Like the captain on Titanic not bothering about anything just because the water has still not yet reached his own cabin. And why dont you clearly state your own opinion instead of racking down on us who are brave enough to do it?

[@puttylegs1]

Dose anybody know that they closed that place down. Soon they will be knocking it over because the roof is rotting and the whole building is close to colapps!!!

[@puttylegs1]

***** I wrote it before he changed the description.

[@harveyroper5526]

Pissing myself at this

[@captntorthenaer-do-wellcad3191]

YAY1

[@PostTower]

I can't understand why just talking about such a topic should be a central government mentality. I prefer people from both sides (alcohol / drug dependent ones AND on the other side the store owners) should have a talk about that topic. Maybe this makes the store owners stop selling some item! My opinion is: Just to live within a society already signs a contract! This doesn't require from you to agree with everything and to FORCE people. But it requires to realize what happens in the society.