A YouTuber has visited the East Lancashire town of Nelson and labelled it as “the place where dreams go to die” in a video.
Charles Veitch, who has more than 340,000 subscribers, took viewers on a tour of Nelson, highlighting chicken shops, derelict buildings and a barren high street.
In the video, which at the time of writing has amassed more than 32,000 page views on YouTube, Charles said he visited the town after hearing “incredibly bad things”.
“When they recommended Nelson to me they said it’s rows and rows of narcotics enthusiasts, sat in their vehicles, as [people called] Donna and Liam run out in their pyjamas and pay cash for the latest stimulant or depressant.”
Charles took viewers to St Mary Church, which had a skip outside. He also took viewers to the boarded up former Nelson Star Cycling Club.
He said: “Just off Maurice Street we’ve got… an abandoned large church. It is always sad to see something formally glorious now literally a dump.
“Like many other pubs across this green and pleasant land, the Nelson Star Cycling Club has seen better days.”
Charles also showed viewers Scotland Road which he said was “looking quite rough”.
In the video he said: “We are looking down onto the semi-pedestrianised Scotland Road. Most shops are shut down.
“There are a couple of charity and vape shops as you would expect. It is looking quite rough.”
Charles highlighted the attractive neoclassical exterior of some buildings.
“This is maybe, some of the most abandoned nice buildings I have seen on my tour of dystopian Britain,” he said.
Highlighting the toilets attached to the building he said: “At some time in the 20th century they thought ‘we will improve it and add some toilets for narcotic enthusiasts to fall unconscious in’.”
While Charles may not have been a fan of Nelson, there are plenty of positive aspects to the town.
According to the Nelson Town Council website, the town is is said to be a “rare Victorian community which came into existence from virtually nothing”.
The website says: “What changed things was the introduction into the area of two great engineering enterprises of the 19th century, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the East Lancashire Railway, both of which still pass through the town.
“The canal was completed in 1816 and the railway in 1849 and it was this latter event which effectively gave birth to the town.”
History buffs can enjoy the town’s war memorial and walkers can take a hike along the Pendle Sculpture Trail.
It is also home to the annual Nelson Food and Drink Festival.
The town is also home to its 12m weaving shuttle sculpture, a centrepiece created by local artist, Philippe Handford.
Celebrities hailing from the town include antiques expert Eric Knowles and actor Lee Ingleby.
Jennifer Sutcliffe, former Town Clerk of Nelson Town Council, said: "Having been born and bred in Nelson I can personally vouch for the friendly welcoming nature of Nelson folk.
“Although cobbled streets and mill chimneys may be our heritage, the town is moving swiftly forward and challenging outdated stereotypes about the area.
“Nelson is an ideal place to visit for shopping, entertainment, sporting activities and enjoying walks. In the town you will find something for everyone.
“Venture into the town centre and you will find many independent shops and the popular ACE Centre, a multi-purpose venue with a cinema, theatre and bistro.
"In November every year we put on one of the biggest Lancashire Day celebrations in the xounty, and this year we hosted the massively popular Nelson Food Festival."
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