A town where a small vocal minority hijack a (very baised) local paper every week, commanding half the letters page with rose tinted visions of the 1940s?

A town where half the shops don't open more than 7 hours a day, close on Wednesday afternoons and then try to blame everyone else for their failures?

A town where the chamber of trade is more interested in vanity projects like a flag supported by 17 people, than solving the above problems?

A town where every kid with ambition leaves at 18, leaving behind a mix of people with degrees unsuited to the town and unemployed layabouts.

A town with no major 21st century employers to get those kids to stay.

Penrith might be considered a tourist destination, but if it wants a decent long term future, it needs to tackle the problems at home first, and for many that will involve a more realistic view of 21st century life, rather than a pining for the old days.

They need to improve the signs in Penrith because unlike Florence it is difficult to find the Cathedral ,the Art Gallery or any fine architecture. The food is a bit different and the sun is reluctant to shine. I think Ill carry on down to the airport.

i've read the lonely planet article and its actually rating Wanderlusts Horse Drawn Caravan Holidays in 10 easy getaways as aposed to Penrith being one of the worlds top 10 get aways.... see www.wanderlusts.co.uk and www.katus.cz

This is a joke right? Backward getaway I would suggest

aways prefered Pooley Bridge when i was younger my old boss was doing a job there,it was Heaven.

If you like visiting supermarkets, charity shops and endless cafes then Penrith is perfect. The council should have taken a leaf out of Keswicks book and made the town a more attractive prospect to visitors rather than letting themselves be bought by Sainsburys. The surrounding area is beatiful and has lots to offer but the town is becoming a place for riff raff from other areas to be re housed in the endless social housing flats that are being developed.

For ' life in the slow lane', read 'boring, nothing to do'.

Typical blinkered local viewes above I think.

Penrith is at last coming into the modern age of positively trying to get away from its old image of a sad and tired town, the new retail developments are encouraging and can only bring new shoppers to the town and probable extra spend in the other shops, cafes, restaurants etc

I do wonder why people always put down an award. I've lived in Penrith for 40years, and yes it's not perfect but is a nice place to visit and stay. I would say there's plenty for young people. Skate park, leisure centre, swimming pool, pubs, cinema..... Well done to the towns people.

I lived in Penrith and could not wait to get out of the place. Full of Pretentious wannabes and blokes thinking they are 10 men!