Trump-inspired window display gets town talking

It's an area more concerned with a swing bridge rather than swing states, but an image of a red baseball cap with a Donald Trump-inspired phrase has got people in the North Yorkshire town of Selby talking.

The image of the cap placed in an empty shop window with the phrase Make Selby Great Again has prompted a debate not just about US politics but the future direction of the town.

Richard Walker, owner of the building on Gowthorpe, said it was not an endorsement of Trump but "an opportunity - from the election - to talk about what's not going on in Selby".

Reaction online has been mixed, but one commenter with a grudge against a neighbouring town was keen to build a wall "to keep Goole out".

The Victorian swing bridge carries rail lines between Doncaster and Hull over the River Ouse below

Mr Walker, who has developed a number of properties in the town, said Selby had a lot of things going for it and wanted people to think about the town's development.

"We have this magnificent abbey, but where is the plan for Selby?

"We need a vision to use our assets, like the abbey, which are ideal for tourism."

Mr Walker pointed to work going on in other towns in the county, such as Malton, to expand their cultural and economic opportunities.

"People who are priced out of York are moving to Selby, the town is growing," he added.

Selby Abbey was founded by Benedict of Auxerre in 1069

Speaking to BBC Radio York, one man walking past the striking image said he thought it was "great".

"We need some investment. Put some housing in. Make jobs for people," he added.

But not everyone was a fan, Joanne said: "I am angry that anything to do with that man has appeared in our town."

President Elect Trump's office and the Heart of Yorkshire, which promotes tourism in Selby, have both been contacted for comment.

North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Carl Les, said Selby had been carrying out marketing activity with “positive results”.

“Selby has a wealth of history and heritage with attractions such as the historic Selby Abbey and the beautiful gardens at nearby Stillingfleet," he said.

“Locations such as these have been incorporated into our destination marketing activity and campaigns with positive results."

Les added that there was more to do but he believed with hard work and commitment the future could be a "bright one for Selby and North Yorkshire".

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