Move to Burnley? Are people mad?
There is a reason why houses in Burnley are cheap - it is a crime
ridden, chav infested slum divided into ghettos.
Comments like these and Burnley's regularly mentioned accolade of being identified as the UK's cheapest town for property have prompted a local estate agent to fight back against the town's negative image.
Ian Bythell, a partner with Petty Estate Agents said he was frustrated with the coverage some of which has "skewed and misrepresented the town beyond recognition."
"All former industrial towns have areas that need improvement, but very few such towns present the wealth of opportunity that we see in Burnley. I genuinely believe that we have a residential offer that is a good as anything in the country – delivering a lifestyle that is practically unattainable elsewhere.
"Much has been written about Burnley terraces recently – but my view of a poor value terraced house is one that calls itself a "mews cottage", costs £1.4 million and is in Notting Hill. I'm sure national media will soon wake up to the fact that our area isn't 'cheap' – it's affordable and it can deliver a lifestyle beyond the reach of our over-worked, over-stressed and over-charged city cousins."
And he urged those relocating the MediaCity to look again at what the overlooked Lancashire town has to offer.
"Within 5 miles of Burnley centre, £250,000 will buy you a modern four bedroom detached property, a fabulous 3 bedroom cottage in one of our many wonderful villages, or even a three bedroom barn conversion, set
in scenery that our south-eastern and Mancunian counterparts can only dream of."The allure of Wilmslow and Alderley Edge may appeal to people relocating from London to the North West as Salford's Media City swings into action. But we all know they'll be missing a trick. With the Todmorden Curve reinstatement looking increasingly likely, Manchester will be a short commute from Burnley – a great place to do business and a wonderful place to live. "
