www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1252734/Domesday-Book-2010-Strip-clubs-soaring-libraries-disappearing--figures-lay-bare-life-modern-Britain.html
Add to My Stories Strip clubs have become increasingly popular in recent years Strip clubs have become increasingly popular in recent years The changing face of Britain under Labour has been laid bare in a modern Domesday Book. It shows how traditional pubs, post offices and libraries have gone by the wayside. In their place bookmakers, nightclubs and supermarket chains have flourished. Figures produced by the Government paint a striking picture of the way in which the country has changed since 1997. They reveal a sharp decline in many of the traditional businesses and services which once sustained community life. The Tories said the statistics show how Labour has failed to protect vital services on which millions rely. The number of police stations has fallen by 160, the number of hospitals and clinics is down by 580, while the number of schools has dropped by a staggering 2,380. Other big fallers include post offices, with the number of branches down by 39 per cent, from 19,000 in 1997 to 11,500 today. Almost 200 public libraries have been axed, while the number of traditional sports and social clubs has slumped by more than half, with 11,680 closing since 1997. During the same period 3,460 traditional pubs have closed. Businesses that have done well out of the Labour government include a number of less wholesome ones. They include bookmakers, with branch numbers up by 39 per cent, from 3,270 to 4,540, and casinos, whose numbers have jumped by 27 per cent. The first lapdancing clubs appeared in Britain in 1995 and there are thought to have been about 24 by 1997. Now there are an estimated 300, their numbers boosted by a change in the licensing laws which made it far easier to gain planning permission. jpg Traditional grocers and local shops have been hit by the rising number of large supermarkets, which have soared by 49 per cent. Tory communities spokesman Justine Greening likened the survey to a modern- day Domesday Book, the survey of land and livestock ownership in England completed in 1086 for William the Conqueror. Miss Greening said it showed ministers had failed to protect key services on which a large percentage of the population rely. She added: 'Labour has presided over the decline of traditional Britain and watched as our local communities are damaged. Mick McGlasham, generalsecretary of the Working Men's Club and Institute Union, said the closure of social clubs was 'tearing the heart out of communities' across the country and blamed Government legislation. He said: 'I just wish the Government and people of all political parties would understand the role our clubs play in the communities where they are based. He said many traditional businesseshad been driven out by soaringcosts to be replaced by chain stores and charity shops, which enjoy subsidised business rates. A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government insisted that the figures did not paint a full picture of community life. He said Government-funded opinion surveys suggested most people were happy with their communities.
I'm moving to Australia where the people are once again being treated like criminals in their increasingly police state under the guise of preventing 'terrorism' and catching pedophiles under every internet computer keyboard. At east they're going back to the good old days when they started a criminals in open custody in a penal colony. If you read 'Future Scenarios' by David Holmgren or visit the website you will find that Holmgren forecasts the Brown scenario for Australia which means a high tech fascist society.
Report abuse I note some commenters have blamed the smoking ban in part for the decline in pubs. Shame there's no evidence (other than that manufactured by tobacco industry shills) to show that, but plenty of non-biased surveys to show that the vast majority of smokers and non-smokers prefer pubs & restaurants now the ban is in place. Of course it would be totally wrong to congratulate the govt for bringing in a policy that improves the health of the nation and is extremely popular apart from with a small, selfish minority of hardcore addicts. Well, in DM land it is, anyway - but swap "cigarettes" for "heroin" and suddenly the same commenters would be getting morally huffy again. Anyone would think that they just want people to do exactly what they demand, like keep local shops open while they go to Waitrose or retain public services with zero taxation and ban any business they dislike without state interference, no matter how contradictory or hypocritical.
Report abuse Ah yes, we all nostalgically hanker for the good old days when we were free and life was good. Now our daughters get to choose between serving at the local 'Drive-Through' Restaurant or working as Strippers. I'm moving to Australia where the people are once again being treated like criminals in their increasingly police state under the guise of preventing 'terrorism' and catching pedophiles under every internet computer keyboard. At east they're going back to the good old days when they started a criminals in open custody in a penal colony.
Report abuse Its just no fun living in the UK, I have noticed in York things have gone downhill, yobs on the street hanging around takeaways, people seem more grumpy and miserable. I know there are video games but theyquickly get bored of them and instead think its fun to smash up a bus stop or something. Supposidly the government is trying to get us eating healthier, yet good quality, healthy food has disappeared with the greengrocers and butchers that supplied them. In my area what was a greengrocers is now a chinese takeaway and what was a butcher is a pizza and kebab shop.
At one time you had to search for a bank in order to use a cash till. Now there are no charge cash point tills at train stations, inside shopping malls and outside supermarkets. Paying a cheque in is a different matter as you have to visit a bank then.
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