Dd101_Tma_1

The street I have chosen to discuss is King Street in the rural town of Knutsford. It is about one quarter of a mile long a one way street.. Both sides of the street are lined with various shops, specialised boutiques, restaurants, beauty and hairdressing salons. I have decided to study this particular street as it has many differences to City Road and also some similarities. I am going to look at King street is quite a unique street that has mainly stayed traditional in the style of its small exclusive shops. It has not conformed to the want of the larger chain stores mainly because the council and community do not feel that they are a necessity to the town. The one supermarket and small convienience stores are perfectly efficient. In the dvd (making social lives,2009 scene3) Lloyd Robson speaks to a local corner shop owner who has been running his business since 1965 and explains how the opening of a Tesco store has affected the local smaller shops. Although some people on City road feel the larger stores are more convenient others try to buy locally feeling a need to help their community. This is one example of how differences and inequalities are made but also remade by people feeling a duty to support there community. Although King Street has not conformed to allowing the larger stores to move into the town it too is continuously changing and reshaping to keep up with the demand of the cliental it attracts. The class structure between King Street and City Road seems very different. King Street can be identified with the middle and upper classes of society. Peoples perception of the area is footballers, wags and the wealthy. The shops are specialised boutiques, wine bars, restaurants which are associated with the “Ladies who Lunch” identity. While City Road identifies as more working class society, student and migrant community. But the African shop that Lloyd Robson visits in(Making social lives,2009,scene2) is also similar in that it is unique in what it sells and where the products originate from, as is the Hawaiian, and Luna Mezza resturants. In (connected lives,2009, scene4) the dvd explains how people percive each other and how we all have different perceptions of places, people, in a personnel and professional capacity as the comedian explains “people think I am like my act on a personel level and professional”. Certain groups in society may feel excluded from visiting King Street, disconnected due to a perception they have of the area or the power of money, exclusivity that is perceived. The unemployed may feel intimidated they don’t have the status to shop here, ethnic minoritys may feel they are not catered for, disabled people may feel the street is too narrow and the space is unsuitable for their needs. Inequalities in society show on every street. In(making social lives,2009,scene7) we can see an example of peoples perceptions with the community sports club. Its gated perimeter gives the impression of a private exclusive club that the locals feel disconnected from then at weekends it is changed to a market for local people. Situated in the middle of King Street is the Court Yard Coffee shop. Offering cream teas, fresh local homemade food and a special historical theme. The shops décor and furniture is that of the old penny farthing. Guests get an insight into how these bicycles were used and the shop is very popular with tourists. People enjoy socializing here there is a sense of calm, community a connection to the past. As in(making social lives,2009,scene3) Jose Ramos Suarez how he has used his own past and culture to make his café an enjoyable place. Both these Establishments help repair society through creating communities and friendships. Although the clientele are unique the same pattern exists in both streets. Once a year on May 1 Knutsford celebrates May Day. This is an event that attracts people from all over. It brings communities together weather that be ethnic minorities, different ages, disabled, unemployed etc. It gives a chance for people to explore the town change there persumptions. Enjoy watching the May day Dance that dates back hundreds of years. As on City road King Street is transformed from day to night. There are numerous resturants offering a taste of culture from Thai, Cantoneese, Italian, Indian to traditional British food. Numerous wine bars that cater for all ages, tastes, with the majority between 21-60 upwards. Most of the resturants have a bar so people can socialize or meet if they prefer not to eat. Knutsford itself has embraced the café culture with colourful awnings beer on tap and a sense that no one is watching the clock. People relax day and night, there is a sense of happiness, belonging community. People of all ages feel at ease and safe on an evening out. This however is different to how the people on city road felt. In (making social lives,2009,scenes 5 and 6) the men in the Municipal club and a local female described the area as “rough” and dangerous to go out at night even though she had no experience of this.