People in Nottingham have weighed in with their opinions on the city after its sheriff said some areas were a "dump". Councillor Shuguftah Quddoos, who became the Sheriff of Nottingham earlier this month, made the comment during an interview, saying the council does not have a "bottomless pit of money" to improve the areas.
Her civic role involves welcoming visitors and tourists to Nottingham, as well as promoting the city. But in a BBC Radio Nottingham interview on Tuesday (May 30), Councillor Quddoos partly agreed with a previous caller to the station who described Nottingham as a "dump".
Speaking on Sarah Julian's breakfast show, Councillor Quddoos said: "[The caller's] not wrong, there are parts of the city that absolutely are a dump. I represent a ward in the city where we have hotspots which could be better."
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In the city centre, people had contrasting opinions on the comments. Liam Banks, who works at a call centre in Nottingham but lives in Arnold, said the city was declining. "Over the last few years it's certainly got worse and council spending has certainly contributed to that," said the 30-year-old.
"She's entitled to make those comments if she's doing something about it, or helping to. I know there's not as much money for councils anymore. Places like Bulwell have definitely suffered quite a bit over the last decade.
"I'd definitely agree there's been a gradual decline, but that's probably the same everywhere." Richard Nicholson, a 36-year-old admin worker from Ilkeston, said: "It's like any city really, it's got its good bits and run-down bits. I think it's okay.
"It's got its empty shops but it's also got a lot of small independent shops. I think 'dump' is a harsh choice of words, she shouldn't be saying that, not unless there's a plan.
"You can't just say it and then leave it as it is." One woman who wished to remain anonymous added: "The city could do with a bit more investment, like a lot of places could across the country. There's been 15 years of underinvestment from the government.
"It's not a dump it's just underinvested in. She's new to the role, it's only been a couple of weeks, I'm sure she'll do a good job."
People also gave their thoughts on social media. Karen Watson said on Facebook: "Well she’s not wrong, the city centre is an embarrassment.
"I used to love going to town and visiting the shops but it’s just not worth bothering any more." Barbara Smithson added: "Really bad form for someone in this position to be running the city down.
"What Labour fail to realise is that the prosperity of a city is not based upon what the council can and can't do - the council does not need (to use her words) 'a bottomless pit'. What it needs to do is work with local people, community groups, local, national and international businesses to get the best for the people of Nottingham.
"The starting point for the council on such a journey is to adopt a positive attitude, not to be defeatist and not to run the city down in the media."
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