Poor old Pontefract - A town in decline. (Pontefract in General)

Member Name: nigelcross

Product:	Pontefract in General
Date:	13/08/09 (64 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lanes chip shop

Disadvantages: Lack of jobs

Pontefract is one of Englands most historic market towns. Its name means 'broken bridge' not sure why this was. Pontefract castle was once thought, by Oliver Cromwell, to be one of the strongest in the country. The town also had a very popular workhouse in Victorian times and there is lots of information and photographs on the internet about this.

Nowadays Pontefract is a little rough around the edges but there are some good points.

There are some good pubs in the centre of Pontefract and many people now frequent the town on a Friday and Saturday as 'Ponty' is a really good night out. Hotels and B&Bs are also really cheap so another reason why it attracts so many party goers.

Pontefract also has one of the best fish and chip shops in Yorkshire. Lanes Fisheries is just down Baghill Lane and is fab. Expect long queues especially on saturday afternoons though.

The downside to Pontefract is the jobs side of things. Now that most of the mills, factories and coal mines have closed in the area unemployment is pretty high and the decline is evident in the centre of town - closed down shops and poor investment. Its a real shame because Pontefract could be great again.

Summary: Pontefract the town of little opportunity.