THE news that Trowbridge has been named No 1 Up-and-Coming Place to Live in the UK this week has been met with both delight and disbelief.

The London Economic put Wiltshire county’s town at the top of its Top 10 list, which was based on ‘comparative prices, local investment and recent trends’.

Trowbridge Mayor Deborah Halik said: “This is brilliant for the town. It helps put us on the map. The place has a lot going for it. There is work to do but it is nice to see this singing our praises.”

Salvador Vultao, of Bradley Road, said: “I cannot believe this. There is not enough for people to do here.”

Dorothy Davitt, of West Ashton Road, said: “I have been here for seven years and I love it. I think it is a great place to live.”

Samantha Ashton, of Trowbridge, added: “I think the town has got worse in the 30 years I have lived here. More needs to be done for the youth.”

The digital newspaper’s article cited how Trowbridge house prices are ‘well below’ neighbouring towns and that it has ‘excellent transport’ links to Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Portsmouth, with the M4 ‘just around the corner’.

But it is not all praise: like many local people, it adds that Trowbridge should make the most of ‘swathes of derelict Riverside Victorian factory buildings’ by the railway station - which is suitable for mixed use development and housing. Finally, it says Trowbridge is ‘crying out’ for a vibrant night-time economy to stem the flow into nearby towns.

Average house prices in Trowbridge are around £180,000, Bradford on Avon and Holt’s average is £100,000 more and Bath is even higher.

Other top 10-ers included Dundee, Liverpool, Margate, Saltburn-by-theSea, Manchester City Centre, Ipswich, Kingswells, Reading and Gidea Park.

To see the article, visit https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/property/the-10-best-up-and-coming-places-to-live-in-the-uk/12/03/