Redditch, the birthplace of pop star Harry Styles, has earned the grim moniker “Deaditch” from frustrated residents who lament its sharp downturn. The Worcestershire town, once a bustling hub in the Midlands known for its historic needle manufacturing and vibrant music scene, is now plagued by vacant storefronts, abandoned bars, and escalating drug-related crime.
Locals report feeling increasingly unsafe, with a surge in antisocial behaviour driving away shoppers and visitors. Businesses are buckling under the pressure, exemplified by the recent closure of the local Wetherspoon pub—a staple chain often seen as a last bastion in struggling high streets.
Residents point to skyrocketing rents, chronic underinvestment, and rampant drug issues as the primary culprits behind the town’s spiral. “It’s heartbreaking to see what was once a proud community reduced to this,” one anonymous local told reporters, echoing widespread sentiment.
