They painted an all too familiar picture: the place was once thriving, with its own market, which has since disappeared. People used to come from all over to shop there at a plethora of locally run shops. But upon arriving and paying for parking, I rounded the corner and was met with a sight that belonged more in the Last of Us than non-zombified provincial England.

A piece of barren land – which put me in mind of the famous photos of Margaret Thatcher’s “walk in the wilderness” – was surrounded by empty retail units with ghostly, empty interiors. On their doors were messages written by staff, who had since moved elsewhere.

Signs read “STORE CLOSING. EVERYTHING MUST GO” and “SALE 50%”.

Windows were boarded up, having apparently been kicked in by youths, rainwater dripped from piping and metal fencing and red plastic barriers cut off one gloomy-looking passageway.

It wasn’t all this bad. Burgess Hill has a number of shops operating in its actual high street, and an amazing Creative Community Hub, which is run by volunteers and puts on skill-sharing activity sessions, including sewing and pottery.

Nevertheless, the people I spoke to struck me as embarrassed and sad, as their hometown is overshadowed by more successful places like Horsham.

One woman, Susan Truran, 68, a retired revenue analyst, asked if I was lost when I explained who I was. People added that they have been let down by promises to improve the area.

The latest plan is to transform the shopping area into a modern and vibrant retail and leisure destination, while creating new homes and jobs, with developer New River working with Mid Sussex District Council.

Planning consent has been granted to deliver 50,000 square feet of new retail space, including a 21,000 square foot food store, 172 new homes and a 102-room hotel.

Jo Homan, a volunteer at the creative hub, emphasised that Burgess Hill is not the only place in Britain with problems.

She said: “It’s pretty much the same everywhere, isn’t it? A lot of towns are like it.”

This is certainly true, and many other local authorities are promising that they are going to upgrade their patches.

I’ve covered the Thanet district of Kent, where Margate and Weston-super-Mare residents spoke of how their towns desperately needed regenerating.

Folkestone in the county was a slightly different kettle of fish, as businessman Sir Roger De Haan told me about his £100million investment in the area, which was transforming it.

In Hampshire, people lamented at the state of Aldershot.

These places can be better.

Andrew Griffin, 56, who works at an insurance company, emphasised to me that Burgess Hill has growth potential as it is home to big employers, such as American Express.

In order to deflect from the Mandelson affair this week, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, chose Labour’s Pride in Place plan to speak about.

He said in a Government press release about 40 new areas across England will being able to decide where up to £20million is invested in their neighbourhood: “It is the same story in towns across the country. Youth clubs that have been abandoned, shops boarded up and high streets decimated.

“We must reverse the devastating decline in our communities and give power, agency and control to the very people who want to improve their community – those who have skin in the game.

“Through the Pride in Place Programme, communities – backed by the state and fired up by pride – will join the fight for national renewal and a Britain built for all.”

Sir Keir had the sense to acknowledge that the front pages on the following day would not include anything about what he said on this subject.

This is a tragic result of Westminster scandal hogging all the limelight, however important it is. In this case it certainly was.

It diverts vital attention away from the need to help areas of the UK in grave need.

Councils are, God knows, cash-strapped, and cannot do it on their own