Doncaster residents disapprove the town’s bid for city status
Doncaster will bid to be the UK’s newest city in a royal competition next year to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Mayor Ros Jones, chair of the Team Doncaster partnership said: “We have a 10-year plan. Team Doncaster is working to drive this borough forward, brightening all our futures.
“I know Doncaster is already on the map for so many brilliant things and certainly this royal stamp of approval will boost our fortunes even further.”
The Doncaster council said this will be their fourth attempt at gaining city status and they believe now is the right time given how far they have come.
Many residents took to Facebook and disagreed with such sentiments.
A retired Doncaster resident, Heather Marsh, said: “it’s hard to see how business or tourists will find Doncaster any more attractive just because it’s a city.
“As you enter Doncaster from the main routes, the areas are run down, unattractive and appear unsafe. Parking and walking into town again feels unsafe, run-down and dirty too.”
She commented on the significant levels of homelessness and drug problems in the town centre and hopes the council can prioritise services to help these issues.
The 56-year-old added: “Rural areas in my village are being destroyed by development but the council doesn’t seem to be realising how this can also be an opportunity to improve the remaining areas instead.
“It feels like a political status symbol bid, rather than a real wish to improve the town.”
The council has highlighted Doncaster’s international airport, wildlife park, racecourse, and architecture as attraction points for future tourism.
Main public sector organisations and businesses are putting the bid together to showcase Doncaster’s achievements, future aspirations, and outline why the borough deserves city status.
Share your thoughts about the bid on social media with #GoingForItDN
Learn more about the City Bid here