A broken high street and its billionaire owners

In this episode, The Guardian focuses on Newton Aycliffe, a town in County Durham, England, whose center is owned by the billionaire Freshwater brothers. The episode begins with a description of the dreary weather in London where the journalists are trying to contact the owners for insight into their neglected property investment. Josh Halliday, The Guardian's North of England editor, has been trying to communicate with the Freshwaters, but they remain elusive, leaving residents frustrated about their once vibrant town center now filled with vacant shops.

Halliday recounts the storied history of Newton Aycliffe, which was born from a vision of modern living after World War II. Promoted as a 'paradise for housewives' with everything within walking distance, its high street thrived for decades. However, in recent years, the town has fallen into disrepair, with half its shops now empty—significantly higher than the national average.

Residents lament the loss of essential services and shops, remarking on how their community feels abandoned by distant landlords who seem unconcerned with their plight. The Freshwaters, who are known to have a substantial property empire, have not publicly acknowledged the issues, choosing to remain anonymous and reclusive.

The episode explores potential solutions for revitalizing the high street, such as encouraging reduced rents for new businesses, although the Freshwaters' lack of engagement frustratingly hinders these efforts. As political discussions center around high streets ahead of upcoming elections, Halliday emphasizes how vital these spaces are for community identity and well-being, noting that declining high streets could heavily influence political sentiments and elections in the near future. The feeling of community is further highlighted as Halliday reflects on what society loses when local hubs decay.