Boarded up shops, bars and nightclubs, homeless encampments, derelict land, piles of rubbish and repossessed takeaways - the downfall of Bridge Street

The Chronicle & Echo took a walk down Bridge Street this week and we were left shocked and saddened by the state of it.

There are homeless encampments in vacant shop doorways, and the former Angel Street Hotel site (formerly Fat Cats Cafe) has simply been left demolished and to become an overgrown eyesore.

At one point in the summer, there were multiple homeless people camping in there. This newspaper has contacted the owner on multiple occasions but has not received a response.

A development of flats are due to be built there at some point in the future, according to site owners.

Opposite that, there is a long-standing boarded-up former snooker hall, the recently vacated Bridge 26 Bar and the vacant former Replay (former Revs nightclub), which has been boarded up – presumably to stop the windows being smashed.

Further down the street the former Grillers takeaway has been repossessed by West Northants Council (WNC), with legal paperwork stuck on the windows.

Over the road, there seem to be constant piles of rubbish which build up and overflow. WNC has put stickers on them to say it is aware, but another pile normally pops up the following week.

This street has always been a bit of a reputation having been mentioned in The New York Times in the context of British nightlife and public disorder back in 2012.

It’s like the end of days walking down there – at least it used to have a bit of life to it.

I have to go into town for work, but if I didn’t, I wouldn’t. You have to feel sorry for the decent businesses in the area trying to make a living.

This is the main route into our town, and it is an absolute bomb site. In a nutshell, many problems the town is facing is all in this one street.

The council’s One Angel Square building looks directly on to the former Angel Street Hotel site in Bridge Street – we asked the authority what it makes of the situation and what is being done to sort it out.

A spokesperson for West Northamptonshire Council said: “We are aware of concerns relating to waste on Bridge Street. However, as there are ongoing investigations into a number of premises in the area, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

Northampton BID has been contacted for comment. We report this in a bid to make the town better, by highlighting the issues that need addressing and holding those responsible to account. The aim isn't to simply criticise, but to shine a light on problems that cannot be allowed to continue.