every time I visit Richmond the town seems a little poorer, more closed shops, more people in dire straits. Overheard some guys sitting around discussing their favourite home made dinners. ( The homeless don't cook. ) π
I literally chased down a young man I saw walking without shoes, he wasn't begging, gave him a 50 and made him promise to get shoes at the op shop 5 minutes down the road . I know he might spend it on shit but then maybe he will get shoes.
I should have taken him and made him try some on and then pay
and I'm guessing he's so disorganised and maybe drugged a bit too that he just forgets to put shoes on , or maybe his shoes weren't waterproof and got ruined or got stolen
The rot set in well before covid. I've been working on Bridge road since 2012 - just at the very end of its glory days as a centre for the cheaper end of the rag trade. Online shopping killed that, but it took a long time to die. Re-inventing itself now as wellness practitioners and eateries.
For real scunge, look at Johnston St.