Janice R. Andrews
Derby City Council and well-known local establishment Birds Bakery have fiercely defended the city in the wake of a Which? poll that ranked Derby last among the major UK cities for quick getaways. The survey painted Derby in a negative light, with Reddit users labeling the city as a “dump.” The study was attacked by both the council and people.
Which? reports that Derby only received two stars in each of the following categories: shopping, dining and drinking, lodging, cultural attractions, tourist sights, and ease of transportation. This put Derby, Swansea, and Leicester at the bottom of the rankings, while Edinburgh, York, Liverpool, and Edinburgh scored highly.
Derby City Council disputed the poll findings in a series of tweets on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, highlighting the city’s allure and accessibility. The council refuted the unfavorable assessment with a list of reasons why Derby is a great place to visit and live, emphasizing that the study was based on the opinions of “just a few thousand people.”
“Derby is the ‘worst city for short breaks,’ according to a Which? survey of just a few thousand respondents,” read one post. Here are all the reasons why they are mistaken, why this wonderful city is home to nearly 260,000 people, and why you should spend this bank holiday here.
Additional blogs highlighted the attractions in Derby, including Pickford’s House, the Great Northern Classics automotive museum, The Museum of Making, and the Derby Museum and Art Gallery, home to the biggest collection of Joseph Wright paintings in the world. The council further promoted the city’s parks, such as the UNESCO World Heritage site Derwent Valley Mills and Derby Arboretum, which served as the model for Central Park in New York.
The Darley Park Weekender and future concerts at Markeaton Park with musicians including Tom Jones, Becky Hill, Madness, and Rick Astley were emphasized by Derby City Council. They also mentioned Derby’s thriving dining scene, varied shopping choices, and remarkable accessibility—it has the largest concentration of deaf individuals in the nation.
Birds Bakery supported Derby as well by posting a quick film showcasing the city’s highlights on social media. The following was written on their Facebook page: “Our city has it all, from fantastic street food, open mic nights, museums showcasing Derby makers, magnificent historical architecture, and gorgeous countryside treks. The list is actually infinite.
Despite the survey’s unfavorable findings, Derby City Council and Birds Bakery’s joint efforts demonstrate their pride in Derby and dedication to highlighting its many positive aspects.
