Oakham has been through a lot over the past few years, from a global pandemic and the traveller occupation of June 2021, to street parties, fairs and festivities, and some locals have begun to see this taking it's toll on their much-loved town.

With an absence of tourists between 2020 and 2021, a collection of local shops found themselves having to close down. The most recent of those was The Waffle Bowl, a Mill Street based café that enjoyed a short stint serving ice-creams, milkshakes and more to the people of Rutland.

The now empty shop front of The Waffle Bowl

One local lady, Ann Ellis has shared her thoughts about the town:

"I like, even love, where I live and I think Oakham centre is in dire need of a facelift, or if that isn't affordable - a spring clean.

"Just look at the Buttercross which looks so sad and neglected. The cobbles are covered in moss and so attract litter. Other Uk towns would celebrate such an historic monument. The Post Office building next door is in need of restoration. The benches outside it hide all the discarded fag ends. The path up to the castle is fertile ground for weeds, coffee cups and fag ends.

The entrance into Oakham Castle

"I have reported these eyesores to Highways but while all the staff do is empty the litter bins due to either the lack of proper tools to do more or apathy I don't expect anything to change.

"Why can't staff do an occasional sweep ?

"I think Oakham is a lovely town, is blessed with more than its share of volunteers, but surely Highways could do more!"

Oakham Buttercross

What do you think?

Do you think that Oakham needs some TLC in the run up to the busy summer season that often welcomes tourists from across the globe? Or do you have other concerns for our rural town?

Get involved in the conversation by emailing [email protected].