If you’re going to sell yourself, do it properly

Mel Scaffold
Sunday, February 1st, 2009

That’s my advice to Plymouth, the city I currently call my (physical) home. We have an ambiguous relationship, Plymouth and I.  The claim it has on me is conditional.  When some people talk about home it’s like family, a loved thing that’s longed for and easily forgiven.  Me and my city, we’re a bit more distant. I’ve lived and worked here for years and I love the moments when it makes me proud, but if I’m honest my top two most frequently invoked emotions are embarrassment and disappointment.

I think one of the problems is that Plymouth isn’t good at telling stories about its present or its future. It doesn’t know where its going. Attempts at self-promotion come across as bluster and bravado –  it just gets it a little bit wrong. Case in point: one of the most recent rash of empty shops* is plastered in slogans of positive affirmation, presumably trying to inculcate some civic pride and engage Plymouth’s citizenry in…what? Some sort of public consultation exercise.  Phrases like ‘£250k invested in Christmas Lights’ cover a huge, decaying shell emptied by the economic downturn and the new mall, open 2 years and already hosting ‘to let’ signs.

‘Invested’ in Christmas Lights?

Anyway, having been inspired by the sideways looks that all the My Place poets are taking to place I’ve decided to look sideways at my own city and see if we can develop a more, er, functional relationship.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

*the old Virgin Megastore in the city centre, where I wasted many hours and pounds

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ABOUT THIS AUTHOR


Mel Scaffold
Mel is the SW Co-ordinator for Apples & Snakes. Top things that make her feel at home include music, knitting and really good cheese on toast.

  1. Charlie
    February 1st, 2009

    Mel,

    I was in Plymouth a few months ago, and discovered the best ice cream ever…. forgot the name of the place, but it’s right down by the sea and they have a little mobile van that sells cones of it even cheaper:) Coconut was divine, and there was a chocolate orange flavour to die for…… but I know what you mean, it’s a strange town centre overall…. seems like in the 80’s it was ‘modern’ but hasn’t quite evolved it’s own character since. But when you’ve got the sea so close by…… that is stunning:)x

    Reply


  2. Russell Thompson
    February 3rd, 2009

    I once had an hour to kill in Plymouth’s shops. I bought a great pair of plastic earrings in a chazza, and my friend found a long-sought Half Man Half Biscuit 12″ in a second-hand record shop. But yes, maybe those aren’t everybody’s idea of functionality.

    Reply


  3. Mel Scaffold
    February 11th, 2009

    This is true, we do have good charity shops and ice cream! I should spend more money on both.

    Reply


  4. Mia
    February 13th, 2009

    How about a city-swap? A sort of I’ll-show-you-mine-if-you-show-me-yours… The catch is that the city speaks to everyone in a different way and maybe needs a refreshment of perspective. I’ll walk you down Union Street (in daylight, don’t worry) and show you the beauty hidden in the rot, if you take me down to the Barbican and tell me some tales…

    Reply

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