The little UK town with a thriving high street that’s bounced back after a major collapse | UK | News

A Yorkshire town that was once hit hard by the collapse of its coal industry is now thriving, with new homes, family-friendly parks, and a booming high street. Pontefract in West Yorkshire lost thousands of jobs when the Prince of Wales Colliery closed in 2002 after more than a century of coal production. At its peak, the pit employed over 2,000 men and played a massive role in the town’s identity.

Martin, 71, who worked at the colliery for years, told the Express he still remembers the day it shut. “It was a sad day when it shut, no doubt about it,” he said. “My dad worked down there, and so did his dad before him. Then I followed in their footsteps. It wasn’t just a job, it was part of who we were as a family.” Martin, who did not wish to share his surname, said the closure affected the whole town.

“When they announced it was closing, it hit the town hard. A lot of lads were suddenly out of work, and you could feel the difference straight away. 

“Shops were quieter, spirits were low. It felt like everything we knew was slipping away.”

After the pit shut, Martin took a job at a local supermarket, where he worked for nearly 20 years.

“It wasn’t the same as pit life, but I was grateful to have the work. You just got on with it. 

“Slowly, the town started to find its feet again. More jobs came, shops picked up, and people stuck together. That’s what kept us going.”

Now retired, Martin still lives in Pontefract. “I’m happy here. It’s not the same town it used to be, but it’s still home. I’ve got my friends, my memories, and I still go for a walk past where the pit used to be.”

He said a memorial near the site means a lot to him. “When I saw it unveiled, I felt proud. It’s good folks haven’t forgotten what it meant. The men and their families deserve to be remembered.”

The memorial was unveiled in 2021 and stands five metres tall on Park Road, near the former pit entrance. 

It was designed by local artist and ex-miner Harry Malkin and funded by regeneration company Harworth Group.

Former miner John Hopkins officially unveiled it, alongside former pit workers Garry Foreman, Phil Shaw and Pete Lansfield.

The project was part of a long-running campaign led by local councillors, ex-miners and Pontefract and Castleford MP Yvette Cooper, who is now the Foreign Secretary.

Back in 2021, Ms Cooper said: “It is fantastic to see this wonderful memorial finally in place. We’ve been working over many, many years to get this.

“Prince of Wales Colliery was a vital part of our history for 140 years and we are proud of that. 

“Pontefract was built on liquorice and coal, that is why we wanted this memorial here at the gateway to Pontefract as well as the gateway to the Prince of Wales site.”

She added: “Everyone can see this proud tribute to the miners who worked here through the generations, powering the country, as well as the families and communities who supported them.

“My grandad was a miner and so many people around here come from mining families so we know how much this means.”

Artist Harry Malkin said the steel and stone sculpture was inspired by the mining cage that took men up and down the shaft.

He added: “Using profile cut panels of steel, it gives it a sense of direction and drama, conveying the sense miners were ‘caged’ safe, yet also trapped in an underground life we fought for so long to keep.”

Mr Hopkins, who worked at the pit for over 20 years, said: “During its heyday the pit employed over 2,000 men and produced a record breaking 34,000 tonnes of coal per week.

“This memorial honours all those who worked at Prince of Wales and will ensure that the legacy of local miners, and their families, is never forgotten.”

The colliery site has since been transformed. Harworth Group got planning permission in 2013 to build more than 900 homes on the land, along with shops, cafes, green space, and community facilities. 

Work began that same year, and much of the development is now complete.

A Wakefield Council spokesperson told the Express: “Pontefract certainly is a sweet success story. Home to Haribo and our hugely popular liquorice festival which returns year on year.

“Visitors can see the picturesque ruins of Pontefract Castle or enjoy the Green Flag award-winning Pontefract Park. 

“Students can excel at New College Pontefract, and it’s also home to Pontefract Racecourse, the longest continuous flat racing circuit in Europe.”

The town has also seen millions in investment in recent years. The £21 million Aspire@ThePark leisure centre opened in 2021 with a swimming pool, gym, climbing wall, and outdoor pitches.

The council also spent £6.47 million upgrading Pontefract Market, while a further £3.35 million is going into the “Streets for People” scheme to improve safety, public transport and access around the town.

“We’re proud of Pontefract’s coal mining roots,” the council said. “The closure of the Prince of Wales Colliery led to the development of new housing and community facilities, with a strong emphasis on honouring the area’s important mining heritage.

“But one thing that really stands out about Pontefract is the people. A warm and welcoming place with a fabulous community. We’re proud of Pontefract but understand there is always more to be done.”

Today, Pontefract is a lively market town with plenty to see and do. Pontefract Castle offers panoramic views, dungeon tours, and family-friendly events all year round.

There’s also Pontefract Park, Friarwood Valley Gardens, and a local observatory that hosts public stargazing nights. 

The Robin Hood pub next to its own brewery is a hit with ale lovers, and the town’s Georgian buildings are packed with cafes, boutiques, and history.

Each year, Pontefract hosts popular events including Armed Forces Day, Proms at the Castle, Light Up, and the Liquorice Festival.

For Martin and others who remember the pit’s final days, the town’s recovery has been slow but steady.

“It’s not perfect,” he said. “But it’s come a long way. And that matters.”