'Village with a heart' on Greater Manchester's doorstep is a mini version of Pleasantville... but things are changing

For sandwich shop owner Alex Ban, being rushed off his feet is part of an ordinary day running his business.

The eatery, run by Alex and his wife Rachel, has become a fixture of a Huddersfield town described as the real life the 1998 American comedy Pleasantville because people are reliably kind and pleasant.

Alex and Rachel live in Brockholes, which lies in the Holme Valley and is about four miles from Huddersfield town centre. But while the husband and wife love their friendly community, others have raised concerns about the 'village vibe' giving way to a 'commuter town' energy, reports YorkshireLive.

"Everyone knows each other and everybody knows each other's business," Alex joked.

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They say that residents, and local companies such as components firm Accu, have been striving to improve the 'community vibe' in Brockholes, which lies in the Holme Valley and is about four miles from Huddersfield town centre

The 'village vibe' is an intangible thing, and some people told YorkshireLive that Brockholes has lost some of it over recent years. One woman said Brockholes had more of a 'commuter village' feel to it these days.

She didn't want to be named, realising her comments might draw fire, but described Brockholes as sometimes resembling a 'road through something' rather than a traditional Yorkshire village. Brockholes lacked a 'centre', she said, but it was friendly and welcoming nonetheless, and people were striving to improve the community, including recently staging BrockFest with live music and food.

"I think it's more residential than a proper community."

She said Brockholes residents were content to travel to Honley or Holmfirth for social and sporting