The Jazz Café opened its doors, on Printing Office Street, during a pandemic that has seen Doncaster’s town centre slow from a usually vibrant noisy bustle to a more subdued volume. Ross, who is one half of the daring duo behind the counter said: ‘The high street is still very quiet and still very slow. …

‘We need to now push down further on that curve, and so, following agreement between all the formations of the United Kingdom and all of the devolved administrations. We are collectively telling, telling cafes, pubs, restaurants to close tonight, and not to open tomorrow.’ This was the speech made by our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, …

‘True grit’ is a phrase often thrown around in reference to the people of Yorkshire’s towns and cities. Why is this? Is it because there is actually a gritty stone from these parts used to polish marble and copper that is called Yorkshire Grit? Or is it because during arduous times people from our region …

‘Unprecedented times’ is the phrase of the moment. Supermarket shelves are bare. The elderly are stuck indoors. Those who are not self-isolating are shopping for relatives who can’t. We are banned from pubs, clubs, theatres and other hubs for social gatherings. Town centres are desolate and largely boarded up, only those shops deemed to be …

Words : Cara Lawson Photography : Warren Draper   A meandering stroll around our town centre will highlight just how many unoccupied commercial spaces Doncaster has in prime locations – locations that I expect were incredibly sought after during the High Streets heyday. If we look at the larger picture it is easy to fathom …