Why we love Wolverhampton
Proud Wulfrunians today jumped to the defence of their city after it was named the fifth worst in the world – but just as many are queuing up to agree with the controversial ranking.
Proud Wulfrunians today jumped to the defence of their city after it was named the fifth worst in the world – but just as many are queuing up to agree with the controversial ranking.
Hundreds of Express & Star readers as well as many of Wolverhampton's most distinguished sons and daughters have waded into the debate after the city was slated in the Lonely Planet travel bible.
With a Premier League football team, an Indian restaurant that is regularly listed in the Michelin guide, a music venue attracting some of the biggest stars in the world and well-preserved historic buildings, things are not all bad for Wolverhampton.
And Wolves legend Steve Bull, who famously turned down transfer offers to more successful and glamorous clubs to stay in his beloved Black Country, today called the guide's list "absolute twaddle".
He said: "Wolverhampton has a lot going for it, including nice restaurants and a civic hall that stages a lot of concerts featuring big names in entertainment.
"There's the football stadium, of course, which is one of the biggest in the Midlands, as well as a big shopping centre. It's not the best when compared with some other cities – we haven't got a Trafford Centre or a Bullring – but it has a lot going for it and some of the friendliest people in the country. I'd like to say to those people at Lonely Planet – get a life."
Mayor elect Malcolm Gwinnett said the guide's findings were "an absolute farce".
The 56-year-old councillor, who has lived in Wolverhampton for 35 years says: "It's a sick joke. How can a company put this on a website when they've never been to the city? You might as well have written it from Planet Mars. Wolverhampton has a great heritage and has retained many of its best parts, like West Park and Bantock House.
"Our aerospace industry, which designed the nose for Concorde, is still going strong, and the world-renowned Norton company is still making motorbikes in the city. We spent £4.5 million on a revamp of the city a couple of years ago and if Wolverhampton's so bad why were we given city status?"