Locals say they need to “get out” of a seaside town that has been deserted by most of its young people. Gosport is a small town to the west of Portsmouth on its own island.
Despite the natural beauty of the area, the town’s residents have a “sense of hopelessness” after it was forecast that Gosport would see the largest population decline in England over the next decade. The Office for National Statistics estimates the number of residents will fall by 2.1% between now and 2035. Young people leaving the area also contribute to the looming threat of a brain drain, which occurs when highly trained or qualified people emigrate from a particular area.
Millie Holloway, 21, grew up in the town and is working in a bar to save up money to move out of her parents’ house. She told The Telegraph: “I think Gosport would be a nice place to retire. There are lovely beaches and local businesses. But there’s just not much for young people here. Most young people don’t come back to Gosport after university. As soon as I can, I’m getting out.”
Gosport has one of the lowest levels of job density in the UK, with only 0.5 jobs available per working-age resident, against an average of 0.86 for the South East.
Joe Weston-McDowell works for Motiv8, a charity that supports young people in the area. He said the town needs to shake its “sense of hopelessness”.
He added: “This is a post-industrial town. Once upon a time, there were lots of big white goods manufacturers, there was the naval logistics hub – they’re not here in as much scale any more.
“So there is a sense, perhaps more than you see in Portsmouth and in Havant, that you have to leave in order to find a good opportunity.”
But Richard Cooke, of the Gosport Society, called the town a “hidden gem”. He said: “It’s got harbour life, beaches, sailing. We’re in a sheltered pocket here.”
