Quote It’s changed beyond all recognition.
My favourite chippy as a child was the knife and fork, always loved the pastie suppers in it. Childhood memories a going to reids for my school shoes, the shoe shop is still there, for how much longer I don’t know, as a shopping street it’s dieing on it’s feet. Few bakeries, chippy, hairdressers etc, the place should be buzzing, near enough in the city centre, right beside main bus and train station, the murals and culture associated with the place should be a magnet for tourists etc, yet as far as shopping goes the amount a businesses lying with the shutters closed down is depressing. The same with me RSAU, thats why I feel strongly about it. Use to go to the Row with me ma when I was a kid and walked along holding her hand as we went into the different shops and the rest. Then in later years I drank in the Row thats when there were 17 bars in the area and it was buzzing. I have a CD about Sandy Row. It starts off at the Lisburn Rd end and makes it way down to Boyne Bridge talking to various residents/people on the way. One man talks of the 11th night and said it took near an hour to get from one end to the other as the place was jammed-packed with people. If you are coming up to Belfast anytime let me know and I'll bring that CD along with me.
I heard that the Pass is under a bit of pressure too,theres complaints about the flags etc. Its always us they have a go at because they know we'll give way easier, and I think thats been proven to be true over the years. Having said that I recognise its not just the people,but our so-called politicans have a lot to answer for also.
They are saying that there will be houses built on the site of the Lily Bar. That is not a big site and you are maybe talking about six houses (if that). Theyalso talk about LOTS ....living over the shops. This again is not geared towards young married couples with families which are the future lifeblood of any community. But even if this meagre build takes place they (polticans) will hail it and put the spin on it as a great achievment. Then they'll pat themselves on the back and rest themselves for another lot of years. They are bloody hopeless. When you think that this sort of thing is hppening in other loyalist areas it makes you despair.