I haven't been in 20 years but I don't have fond memories. Nearby Runcorn was a pretty dire place too. I remember Newport in Wales being a bit of a dump. Leeds. Many of the areas just outside Manchester were pretty vile. It's been a long time since I've been home, I don't know if any of the dumps have improved
Had to go to Wolverhampton for a hospital appt last week and it was atrocious. Telford is the worst place near me and probably one of the worst places in the world. Chorley not so bad but bit of a throwback to the bronze age.
I was saying it in a nice way hoping some flag waving Londoner wouldn't react like someone stuck a flute up his bottom.