What makes a city?

[Buenchico]

Yes, I know that it's got nothing to do with the size of the place, or with whether it's got a cathedral or not. It's solely based upon the grant of a Royal charter. However I'm wondering which of the following current applicants for city status ABers think DESERVE to be cities (or, conversely, which clearly DON'T deserve city status):

Bolton, Bournemouth
Chelmsford, Colchester, Coleraine, Corby, Craigavon, Croydon
Doncaster, Dorchester, Dudley
Gateshead, Goole
Luton
Medway, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes
Perth
Reading
Southend, St Asaph, St Austell, Stockport
Tower Hamlets
Wrexham

Any thoughts?

[Prudie]

Definitely NOT Bournemouth

[sherrardk]

Luton and Wrexham are both complete holes.

Milton Keynes probably deserves it as it does have lots going for it (apart from anything remotely historical).

[ChuckFickens]

I think Camulodunum deserves to be a city.

[giveup]

Southend would be good. I used to live there very happily. Went back last year and it was still a nice place to go.

[emmie]

Not Tower Hamlets, when i read about this recently, i did look at the council website, and read their request to get city status, they are a borough in London, so if they become a city, that's a city within a city.

[giveup]

I got lost in Milton Keynes.

[Mamyalynne]

Speaking as a Boltonian, I think we need just a bit more developement before we are granted status.

[Stephen_G]

Middlesbrough have been trying since it was founded - they always get knocked back. Even Mayor Robocop can't get it done.....

[Buenchico]

Well Bournemouth has got a nice beach, Prudie and it's got . . . hang on, I'm thinking . . . no, wait, it will come to me in a minute . . . well. there's the beach, of course . . . oh no, I mentioned that didn't I? . . . well there's, um . . .

Luton a complete hole? Never!
It's too half-hearted a place to be 'complete' about anything, Sherardk!
(I've never been to Wrexham)

[sherrardk]

We lived in MK and our house was on the very edge, close to the road I needed to get to work. I couldn't get anywhere else though!

[ttfn]

Chris - Mamya is in Bolton and I am in Bournemouth - at last we have been given true prominence on AB - thank you.

Prudie - wind it in girl, lol

[sherrardk]

Went to college in Wrexham, its probably changed loads by now. Can't think of a single redeeming feature for Luton.

[Barmaid]

Perth is absolutely lovely. I spent my first honeymoon there (but I don't hold that against the place).

[Prudie]

LOL as I typed I thought will ttfn be cross but my motives are loyal. I love Bournemouth but a city it is not.

[Postdog]

City of London is within THE city called London em.

[Buenchico]

Giveup:
Southend? A nice place?
Well, if you like mud, lager louts, more mud, a claustrophobic funfair, yet more mud, a concrete shopping centre, and even more mud, you might be right.

(It's got one redeeming feature though. Jemisa live there!)

[cazzz1975]

what benefits does being classed as a city glean?

[Euphemia]

Perth without a doubt - the gateway to the Highlands

[Barmaid]

Cazz - the local Council gets to spend thousands of pounds on new logos, signs and stationery.