On the head? Keith Nicol You tried for 15 years. We tried as young and adventurous business people back in the 80s and early 90s and its always fallen on deaf ears. Having just been in Bangor, with my teenage son, as a single parent, as my wife was working in Spain, after 8.00pm Bangor is a tourist wilderness. Asking around for advice as to what there is to do only brought the response of The Pool, Cinema and shopping. We were regular late night visitors to Tesco Springhill and McDonalds, as what else is open as a diversion after 10.00pm when the Red Berry Coffee shop shut and we got kicked out. Its all very sad and such a shame that the town, IMHO, has had an almost zero forward thinking policy since the demise oif the town centre stated with the Flagship centre, of which I have never noticed 100% occupancy. At one time I was going to approach both Mayors of my home Town and bangor and suggest that they Twin, but until the town does something with Queens Parade, I wont be doing that. Although it my be convenient for yacht owners, the Harbour is nothing more than something that takes away the view and not an attraction. Big concrete blocks and stagnant water and all blocked off so that nobody can enter and enjoy the sights. Bangor used to have a sense of Pride. It was easy to sell on the local, national and international marketplace. It has been left behind by Portrush as a tourist attraction and towns such as Lisburn for shopping and ambiance. BUT, I always live in hope that maybe things will turn around and my son will want to visit the Town of his own free will, rather than it remaining somewhat or a bore and an imposition during his summer, which he would much rather spend by the pool or on the beach. On the other hand, Id like to thank members of Bangor FC under 16s, Redburn, North Down Athletics, Farnham Tennis Club and a few others for inviting and allowing my sone to train with them. The willingness and open arm policy of the people of Northern Ireland has always been a joy and they are what make coming home so special. But as for theatre and entertainment, the town is a wilderness. IMHO.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 15:35:24 +0000