Remembering back to a report in the Sunday Times not too long ago where is was stated that the respective Chinatowns of Liverpool (the oldest in the UK), Manchester and Newcastle are in serious decline, diner numbers having reduced dramatically with some restaurants sadly having to close. The situation has not been remedied either by the arrival of the pandemic. The main reasons they cite for the closures are: the emergence of world foods bringing a much bigger choice for the consumer lack of suitable chefs to run the kitchens competition from new retail schemes, restaurants and 'street food' collectives in more salubrious and accessible parts of the cities I am the first to concede this may indeed be the case. Yes, new retail and dining experience schemes do indeed take away from the traditional Chinatown areas that have now not only become somewhat tired in comparison, but have increasingly - in fairness, through no fault of their own - been left in areas that are now seen ...
On my soapbox again!