'Forgotten' town that is proud to be patriotic

PEOPLE WHO VISIT VOW TO COME BACK

- By ANDREW ROBINSON

Locals see Mirfield as a proud and patriotic town

IT might not be your typical tourism hotspot, but it's not unknown for outsiders to visit Mirfield for a day out.

Take Ian Hartley and Julie Heptinstall from Illingworth in Halifax.

They were enjoying a lovely day out in Mirfield when the Examiner caught up with them on a weekday morning.

But what is there to do?

Ian and Julie first enjoyed a full English breakfast at Mirfield Garden Centre (formerly known as Whiteleys) which can be found on Far Common Road, and then went to nearby Haigh's Farm Shop to stock up on bacon and sausages.

Haigh's has around 20,000 followers on Facebook and posts regularly about various cut-price deals and bulk-buy bargains, from pumpkins to pop.

Ian and Julie were then happy to mooch around the shops along Huddersfield Road and some of the side streets.

They particularly enjoy hunting for bargains in charity shops. In Mirfield, they found Forget Me Not Children's Hospice charity shop, Kirkwood Hospice shop, Oxfam, and a Sue Ryder shop. They also enjoyed looking at the house prices in an estate agent's window. “Not overly cheap” was Ian's conclusion.

They've been to Mirfield many times and really like what they see.

“It’s a nice place and a clean place,” says Julie. “There are plenty of bins and not many empty shops. There are some new cafes too.”