Residents of Reading are reminiscing about Smelly Alley, sharing memories of its vibrant past and lamenting its current state.
Reading: Union Street, or as the locals call it, ‘Smelly Alley,’ has a bit of a reputation. It used to be bustling with fishmongers, but now it’s a different story.
Long-time residents are feeling nostalgic. They think Reading has lost its charm over the years, with many beloved shops disappearing.
Recently, a guy named Murray Leese shared a photo of Smelly Alley from 2012 in a Facebook group called “Memories of another day.”
He captioned it simply, “Back to 2012 Union Street (Smelly Alley) Reading.” It sparked a wave of memories.
People jumped into the comments, reminiscing about the good old days. Many agreed that Smelly Alley has seen better times.
One commenter said, “Now it is soulless. Thoroughfare full of dodgy phone shops.” Ouch, right?
Another added, “Horrible street now, no character at all, just phone and vape shops, how heartwarming.”
It seems like everyone is on the same page about the changes. Others shared stories about shops that used to be there.
One person recalled visiting a friend’s grandad who had a fish stall. “Loved Smelly Alley and what it stood for,” they said.
