North West Leicestershire dismisses ‘unhappiest in county’ tag

Residents in North West Leicestershire have dismissed figures which suggest they are the unhappiest in the county[1]. People who spoke to LeicestershireLive when we visited the area said they believed that, generally, things in the district were worth smiling about. Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicated North West Leicestershire - home to the likes of Coalville[2], Ashby[3], Castle Donington[4], Measham[5] and Kegworth[6] - was the least happy area in all of Leicestershire.

Residents were even said to be unhappier than they were during the Covid-19 pandemic. But does it ring true to people who live there? It would appear not, if our trip to Coalville on a bitingly cold December day was anything to go by.

Sharon Rowlands, 55, from Greenhill, told LeicestershireLive[7]: "It's not unhappy here. I certainly don't feel it for sure. If you've got great people around you, that'll help make it even better.

"I've lived here all my life and it's your attitude around you that shapes things, regardless of what's actually about. You could live somewhere amazing but be unhappy. There's always help at hand here and people are always smiling."

Coalville man Reg Hemsley was equally upbeat about the district - especially compared to the country's capital. The retired 70-year-old said: "It's a friendly place. People do moan about the amount of charity shops and banks closing down here in Coalville, but that's everywhere.

It's not a unique thing at all. "I've worked in London and this place doesn't compare in terms of being unhappy. That was quite unhappy.

Here is a lot nicer, too." The ONS data found that up to March this year, North West Leicestershire recorded an average happiness score of 7.1 out of 10[9], the lowest in Leicestershire. Hinckley and Bosworth came out on top with 7.8.

The national average is 7.39.

Some told us they could see why the district fared poorly, however - and Coalville[10] itself got many mentions. Jane Kinton was among those feeling the former mining town played a big part in the district's overall score. The 64-year-old said: "I've been here since I was about two.

In myself I'm happy, but Coalville is certainly an unhappy place to be. Just look at the precinct. "There's too many second-hand charity shops in Coalville.

It used to be a much nicer and happier place here. Obviously the cost of living hasn't helped, but it's not the main reason for it. You can't blame that on how unhappy it is here."

Two former Leicester[11] residents who now live in North West Leicestershire were not the biggest fans of their new area, but did not believe it deserved the least happy accolade - even if they both pined for a return to the city. Coalville resident James Moseley, 67, said: "I don't believe its the unhappiest. I don't like it here, but it's not unhappy.

It's too expensive for a start, but that's a general thing. I'm originally from Leicester but came here for some strange reason that even now I don't know why. I think I'd be happier back there.

I enjoyed it more there. There's just so much more going on, but this isn't a bad place."

Amanda Hughes was similarly in the middle ground. The 64-year-old carer said: "I'm not unhappy or happy here.

I think getting by describes it best. It's gone downhill so much here lately and it was vibrant 30 years ago. Leicester has so much more and is a happier place."

North West Leicestershire's unhappy score stood out all the more as it was lower than it had been during the height of Covid-19[12] in 2020 where the score was 7.42 and then 7.57 in 2021. Retired 71-year-old David Kellins, from Moira, said: "It's certainly not all sunshine but it isn't too bad either. There are loads of places like here up and down the country doing no better than we are.

I'm reasonably happy.

Things could be cheaper but I ask for that regardless, that's what I'm like."

References

1. ^ unhappiest in the county (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
2. ^ Coalville (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
3. ^ Ashby (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
4. ^ Castle Donington (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
5. ^ Measham (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
6. ^ Kegworth (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
7. ^ LeicestershireLive (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
8. ^ Leicester hospitals to restrict visitors after rise in winter vomiting bug cases across the Country (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
9. ^ average happiness score of 7.1 out of 10 (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
10. ^ Coalville (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
11. ^ Leicester (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
12. ^ Covid-19 (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)