Our neighbourhood has the ‘highest ratio of women to men in the UK’, we’re overrun by single ladies, here’s why
RESIDENTS of a neighbourhood “overrun by single ladies” have revealed why they think there are more women in the area than men.
Figures show that in one plush London area women make up 56.2 per cent of the population, much higher than the national average of 51 per cent.
People living in the Chelsea Manor and Royal Hospital area of West London believe their neighbourhood has a number of qualities that attract women.
They believe its “safe” reputation and high number of top beauty businesses do the trick – not to mention it’s only a stone’s throw from Sloane Square and the Saatchi Gallery.
But Andrea Vreia, owner of Last Drop Wines in the area, believes there may be another reason women flock to the location.
She told MyLondon: “You’ve got heaps of divorcees, and a lot of single professional women.
“I think a lot of single women come here and think they’ll find a wealthy husband – then they find all the guys are divorced and are about as penniless as can be.”
Andrea said that in her block of flats, more than half of the apartments are taken by single women.
Estate agent Brendan Roberts, director of Aylesford Estate Agents, believes many women end up staying in the area after their divorces for the social scene and the schools.
He told the outlet: “Men are much happier to just go off somewhere else… [to] suddenly say, I don’t need the cost of London, I can use something cheaper.”
But Brendan’s fellow director Charlotte Mitchell-Innes argued: “It’s quite old school Chelsea isn’t it, and generally men die younger than women.
“Maybe around here there are lots of elderly women who live on their own.”
Lisa, who works at Vivienne Westwood’s fashion store on King’s Road said she often sees a lot of women walking about.
She added: “Around this end of the street the demographic is high-end women with children.”
According to the 2021 census, the UK population is made up 51 per cent of women and girls, and 49 per cent of men and boys.
In Chelsea Manor & Royal Hospital, women and girls make up 56.2 per cent of the population, and just 43.8 per cent men and boys.
In another neighbourhood, however, concerned residents say the area has become overrun with drug addicts.
The town of Barry in south Wales is better-known for its seaside fairground and for providing the setting for the hit BBC TV comedy series Gavin and Stacey.
But Barry is also earning itself a reputation as a haven for druggies and teenage youths who are leaving locals too scared to leave their homes.
Residents say addicts are often holed up in ‘halfway house’ properties being snapped up by opportunistic landlords.
The town was identified as one of five neighbourhood crime hotspots in England and Wales this year in a report by the think tank Onward – which said that tackling antisocial behaviour was crucial for “left behind” areas.
The local economy is in ruins with businesses reporting a drop in footfall of up to 60 per cent.
In the town’s Holton Road, business vacancies are up to 18 per cent, which means almost one in every five shops is closing down.
Many, including two once-thriving pubs, have been converted into accommodation for the homeless and those with drug addiction.