Blackpool - a way forward?

For those of us involved in the unsuccessful attempt to introduce an Early Morning Restriction Order (EMRO) into Blackpool, which if imposed would have been a first, the exercise proved to be a refreshing and indeed in part depressing insight into the wider problems affecting the seaside resort, far wider than any possible impact of the late night economy.

It is therefore with some interest that we note the publication of a ‘Destination Management Plan for Blackpool'.

As summarised in this morning's Propel Newsletter, ‘Blackpool is moving to ban stag and hen dos in its bid to become the "British St Tropez". Officials are keen to "tackle the benefit culture that blights the resort" and are planning on rebranding the town as a place for "high spenders" akin to the south of France celebrity hot-spot. Stag and hen parties will now be blocked from certain parts of the resort and zoning will be introduced to keep rowdy groups separate from more family-friendly areas. The council also wants to ban cheap accommodation because it believes the town attracts too many "low-spending tourists".'

Key milestones include:

• Opening of four new branded family restaurants within Blackpool Town Centre 
• Reintroduction of town centre CCTV monitoring 
• Revitalisation of Blackpool Airport with small commercial flight operations 
• Blackpool South and Bispham achieve EU bathing water standards 
• Roll out of Blackpool Approved entry level accreditation scheme for hotels and guest houses 
• Creation of 500 additional bed spaces at 3 or 4 star standard in town centre 
• Identification and development of additional visitor car parking facilities 
• Completion of budget hotel and family restaurant on site of former Yates's pub on Talbot Square 
• Remaining Blackpool bathing waters reach EU quality standards 
• Derelict hotel sites on South Prom replaced by new residential and commercial property 
• Conversion of Tower Lounge into family restaurant/attraction 
• Planning guidance consultation commences for The Crescents/South Promenade 
• Rejuvenation of Blackpool Illuminations