A High Wycombe resident believes those living in the town should ‘take pride’ in their streets and neighbourhoods, as he aims to spread positivity in the area.

Mark Page, who is the co-founder of the Wycombe Creatives Group, spoke to the Free Press about how the South Buckinghamshire town boasts several of the country’s most famous names, as well as buildings dating back nearly 1,000 years.

His mission to try and help the image of the town comes after several residents expressed their concerns about the increasing number of empty shops in and around the centre, as well as the rise of fly-tipping.

Mr Page believes that whilst the ‘bad bits’ of High Wycombe ‘dismay’ him, there is ‘a lot of good’ happening in the town which should be known by those living in the area.

He said: “I love Wycombe.

“We have one of the top schools in the country with the Abbey School, we have award-winning restaurants along the High Street, we have the Chalk Stream, and we have buildings like the Wheatsheaf, which is from the 1300s.

“We have a 900-year-old church, and when you walk down the high street, there are lots of heritage and history, as we have the Georgian buildings.

“A lot of towns would love to have these assets that we have here.

“As part of my job as a Wycombe historian, I want to educate them about the past, to teach them what Wycombe is famous for and what it’s still famous for, as it’s not drunks, beggars, scruffy streets and a churchyard full of rats.

“I think we take a lot of this for granted.”

He explained that whilst the weekly markets are smaller than in previous years, they offer a wide range of goods and foods for people to enjoy, whilst also suggesting the artwork is something to admire.

Some of the most notable pieces of art in High Wycombe include the huge swan on the side of the town’s theatre, along with the numerous walls that have been painted on along Desborough Road.

In recent months, a handful of the town’s subways have also been given a new look, with drawings and paintings being done to reflect the town’s history.

Mr Page believes that estate agents should offer a booklet/brochure to those living in the area about the history and ‘go to/must do’ things High Wycombe has to offer, as well as trying out the numerous events that have been organised by independent businesses.

He added: “I believe there is not enough by the town to tell its people about our rich heritage.

“We have got the fantastic Wycombe Arts Centre along Desborough in a Grade II listed building, where people should come and see the architecture.

“Also, we have the artwork.

“All the new artwork that has been done in the tunnels, under the railway bridge.”

Finally, Mr Page, who helps organise events in the town, admitted that he is aware of the litter and fly-tipping.

During the course of 2025, numerous residents have expressed their concerns about the increase in trash appearing on High Wycombe’s streets, which includes items such as mattresses, fridges and sofas.

He concluded: “There are bad bits, and it dismays me.

“People at the moment don’t have a lot of pride in their town.

People say ‘have you seen the rubbish’ and I say, ‘have you picked it up?’ because I would.

“There’s no shame in that – it’s shame to the person throwing it, as they have no respect.

“It is only we who can make a difference.”