Which town? Classic example of being left to rot by successive governments. Once replete with some of the most iconic of Britains manufacturers now better known for bet365. Many years ago when it truly was on its arse, I went to see Matthew Bourne's version of Swan Lake at the theatre there. Was a bizarre experience of being transported away for a couple of hours and then tipped out into the Stoke night.
All that said, lots of smaller businesses are doing their level best to drag the place back up by it's boot laces.
Interesting that a number of places people are citing were once thriving communities who were left to fry when their primary industries went to the wall often as a result of deliberate policies. I'm inclined more to hate the politicians that allowed that to happen to them than the places themselves.