Mixed verdict as Mexborough reacts to Doncaster's city status

RESIDENTS in Mexborough today gave a mixed welcome to the news that Doncaster will become a city as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. 

Doncaster has won city status along with seven other towns in the UK, having previously applied three times in vain for the honour.

Shoppers we spoke to in Mexborough High Street said Doncaster’s upgrade in status was a much-needed boost to the area.

Rachel Stone (59), of Herbert Street, said: “It’s great news for us. 

“There’s not a lot we have to be proud of at the minute with rising prices and cost of living.

“But this will be fantastic in raising the profile of our area.

“We want to see the benefits that it will provide now, and we really hope it can benefit Mexborough and the people from here.” 

Janine Wallerson (67), of Windhill Crescent, said: “People have worried a lot about the cost-of-living crisis at the minute.

“It’s been really tough, and we really need to see some investment in our area. 

“Being part of Doncaster, we hope we will see that benefit with the city status. 

“Let’s see what the final result is but we welcome its potential.”

Aishia Sharaf (42), was less optimistic, saying applying for city status was “a waste of time”, and adding: “It’s nothing but a name and means absolutely nothing to us.

“We are really annoyed with the state of our town.

“We’ll be promised this and this and get nothing. 

“Doncaster becoming a city is something I’m not really bothered about.”

Ed Miliband, MP for Doncaster North, was one of those celebrating, saying he had “massive pride” in the news.

“For years we have been a city in all but name, now it’s a reality,” he said.

“It is a great tribute to our people, businesses, culture and the leadership of Mayor Ros Jones.”

The mayor herself said the award was “brilliant news for Doncaster”, adding: “I am utterly delighted that our borough has been recognised in this way as part of the Queen’s Platinum jubilee. 

“To become one of the UK’s newest cities underlines our firmly held belief that we think, act and feel like a city. 

Speaking about how Doncaster city status would benefit the wider region, Dan Fell, chief executive of Doncaster Chamber, said: “The campaign to earn city status is one that we have been pursuing for a long time and it is tremendously gratifying to see all that hard work pay off.  

“With both Doncaster and Sheffield, the South Yorkshire region is now home to two cities, which means that we will have an even bigger seat at the table when it comes to engaging national government. 

“I am looking forward to an even more prosperous future for South Yorkshire now. 

“We’re going to see huge reputational and economic benefits from this, attracting more businesses and skilled workers into the area.”