I’ve just come back from filming in Blackpool and found it even less appealing in summer than in the depths of winter. Okay, more of the kiosks are open but that’s probably why half the people there don’t walk around, but waddle. A bag of 5 doughnuts for £1.50 is not conducive to healthy living.
I know the tourist authorities have made a big effort to suggest Blackpool is worthy of a visit (the television ad for Blackpool that spoofs Paris is very witty) and there is a great deal of investment being made in developing the seafront, but right now the town is still pretty grim. With the exception of one or two art deco buildings and the tower itself, there’s barely a vestige of decent architecture, from any period. The reason why is obvious: the town was developed entirely for the purpose of offering cheap holidays to the northern factory workers who were granted a pitifully short respite from their toil. But, it would appear that over the years successive councils have not imposed any planning restrictions whatsoever, otherwise Blackpool wouldn’t look as it now does now – a charmless raggle-taggle of tawdry signage, steel-shuttered lock-ups, shanty-town kiosks and shoebox-styled sun lounges. Hardly a paint-peeled hotel exists that hasn’t had an execrable lump of masonry grafted on to its front, back, side or roof, in order to create more accommodation. The beach itself isn’t bad but the matt black, slab-sided trams that run alongside it look as if they’ve been designed to transport prisoners to a federal jail, rather than holidaymakers to a funfair. And, stand on the landside end of the North Pier and it would appear that the bit at the end is a pile of (grey) shipping containers.
Yes, there are lots of things to do in Blackpool, but quite a lot of it seems to centre on daytime drinking. Between 6 and 6.30pm on a Monday evening, while we were filming on the esplanade, we were heckled by two (separate) young men and one couple, all of whom were completely inebriated. Obviously the only way to fill the day, if you don’t want to visit the zoo, waxworks or waterpark. And then there’s the food: VisitBlackpool claims the town has excellent restaurants, but I’ve yet to find one. We’ve tried virtually all the so-called top restaurants but by far the best place we’ve eaten is PizzaExpress, and that’s not in Blackpool (because there isn’t one there – tells you something), but in neighbouring Lytham St. Annes.
In fact, the only redeeming feature of Blackpool, in my opinion, is the Big Blue hotel next to the Pleasure Beach. Sure, there are perhaps too many staff who don’t understand English (every hotel is only as good as the employees who come into contact with the guests), but the rooms are very well-designed and spotlessly clean. If only the Blackpool authorities could raze 90% of the town’s guest accommodation and hotels to the ground, and start again with the Big Blue as a model. As it is, with hundreds of guest houses offering rooms at £15-40 per night, it’s no wonder there’s almost zilch investment in the bedstock, with the consequence that Blackpool attracts the type of tourists it does. Only by upgrading the hotel accommodation, with a commensurate rise in tariffs, will this change. However good the regeneration of the beach and headlands, nothing will help develop a different genre of visitors unless they can be offered somewhere decent to stay. (I speak for myself, but I’m damned sure I also speak for my peers.)
I am aware I undoubtedly sound snobby and snide, but actually I love funfairs and I’m absolutely not against peppermint rock, candyfloss, piers, amusement arcades or cabaret shows. But it doesn’t have to be tawdry. You only have to contrast Southend with Blackpool to know that having fun at the seaside doesn’t have to be degrading. Like many seaside resorts, Blackpool has a plethora of shops and kioks selling sugar and carbs disguised as “food” – but never have I seen a sign advertising “cut price rock” before. Somehow it seems to sum Blackpool up.
Hi Ruth
I would guess you will never personally get to read this, and i am sure you get plenty of messages from people who hold you in great favour and admire your achievments. I wanted to send you a personal response.. so here we are-
I visited Blackpool 3 yrs ago, the clubs were good, but the front was only ok. I went again last year and saw a big difference, many shops and hotels and even the b&b’s had closed. I thought it was a shame and wondered; is this to continue? and is it what is to become of our tradtional seaside towns?
Maybe you should look into what is becoming of our traditional seaside towns????
It will be great to see you again on tv, its nice when someone from a none star struck background captures the hearts of the uk public.
Good luck Ruth
Regards Richard
Hello, thank you for your message about your Blackpool experience. Yes, a lot of the town seems barricaded even in high season. I’d love to look at traditional seaside towns. In fact, suggested the idea last year. Perhaps something might come of it. You never know.
Thank you for your kind wishes – much appreciated.
best wishes, Ruth
Hi, Ruth.
I love watching you on BBC America. I would like to know what ever happened to that “Sparkles” kiddie hotel with the somewhat delusional proprietress. She just didn’t seem to understand the basics of business. All you were trying to do was help her to book a lot of people at a lesser rate rather than depending on the small handful per year that might pay a fortune to stay in an eclectic mystery. Just looking at the outside of the hotel made me woozy. I bet the neighbors love that!
Secondly, I am a big, fat fattie. However, I also have the good taste to dress discretely and keep it covered. I am aghast at the young ladies in our community who are beyond “pleasantly plump” yet, wear the clothing of a much smaller person. It’s vulgar, pornographic, and really the end of civilization. Don’t even get me stated on tattoos ! Everyone has them. My little town has four tattoo parlors. Ugh.
Well, that’s my rant.
Thanks, Robert
Hello, again.
I see that the aforementioned hotel has been converted into a no-children haven. How ironic. It looks very appropriate though, and the prices do too.
Robert
Hello Ruth,
I know you have already visited Langtrys website as I corresponded with you during your stay in Blackpool.
I have to agree with your comment that the majority of accommodation available in Blackpool should be eliminated. That only through investment and upgrading guest accommodation will Blackpool change the type of guest it attracts change at the moment.
However, I do object to your suggestion that The Big Blue is the only accommodation worthy of being used as a model for these improvements
There are several Five star Guest accommodation in Blackpool now and these owners’ have made the changes you are suggesting. I have supplied their sites so you can take a look at the changes that committed hoteliers are making to improve quality:
http://www.numberoneblackpool.com
http://www.numberonesouthbeach.com
http://www.fourseasonsblackpool.co.uk
Warm regards
Julie
Hello Ruth, I’m sorry to hear you didn’t think much of Blackpool and whilst I agree there are problems and some of our buildings need to improve, things are heading in the right direction.
We are about to see work start at the end of next year on the Talbot Gateway Project which will rebuild Blackpool’s gateway for those arriving by public transport and our tram line is to be rebuilt and state of the art trams will appear from 2012 along with the old traditional ones during the summer season.
We also have the New Hounds Hill Shopping Centre and the Regeneration by Light Projects on Birley Street and St John’s Square outside the Winter Gardens.
As for classic buildings you mention the Tower but we also have another Frank Matcham classic in the Grand Theatre.
A full list of development projects and news with lots of pictures can be found on: http://www.livefromblackpool.co.uk
What Blackpool offers the most is fun and we look forward to seeing you again so we can show you the many sights.
Dear Ruth,
I read with interest your article regarding Blackpool and felt that you only regarded Big Blue Hotel worthy of a mention.
Blackpool, it’s residents and the local businesses are doing a lot of hard work to get Blackpool back on the map.
I have a small Guest House on the North Shore and I am very proud of the quality of accommodation that I and others offer, very often we offer services to our guests that these so called hotels do not.. You just need to read all the comments and reviews that we get. I agree that there are many that need closing down with a bulldozer, but in the last year or two the percentage of accredited accommodation providers have rocketed. Proving that we are working hard to improve Blackpool.
I would invite you to take a look at the North Shore of Blackpool, we need more positive remarks and less of putting us down so much. There are so many good things and places to visit in and around Blackpool to suit all ages.
Regards – Gareth
I enjoyed this diary entry, and have to agree with the observations, having visited earlier this year myself. I particularly agree with the planning angle, I had the same impression, no control or attempt to manage such an important thing.
Blackpool is lucky to have the Pleasurebeach, otherwise I think it would be an even worse situation.
(Not in the same size league, but Dover and Margate face similar challenges)
It was good to see Ruth return this week!
Thanks
Rob
Hi, I’m just watching the programme about ‘THE BLACKPOOL’ I can’t believe how uninterested the owners of this hotel are! such a lack of interest in their hotel!
i am visiting Blackpool this weekend, i’ve not been there since i was 8 years old and have booked into the four seasons and am staying in the Autumn room. I did fight against booking into just any b&b ‘just foir the laugh element, yes it has cost me £120 for one night but the way i look at it i’m taking my 1 and two year old children along and would actually like to come away from blackpool remembering it as a good experience.
20th October 2009.
Dear Ruth
Your comments about Blackpool are harsh to say the least. For sure we need more quality bedstock and yes some of the architecture between the Central and South Piers leaves a lot to be desired, but your blog says nothing of all the better parts of the Town. I also find it incredulous that you can refer to our wonderful old trams as ‘matt black slab-sided vehicles’. Were you wearing extra dark sunglasses at the time? Many of our trams are “Art Deco” personified.
A few Sundays ago I cycled from North Shore to Lytham St. Annes (home of Pizza Express) and Blackpool was buzzing. The Queens Promenade to the north of the Town boasts many an attractive building, the Castle Casino, the Cliffs and the Savoy Hotels to name but a few. The sea wall works are having a wonderful effect on Central Promenade – it is bright, spacious and has shapes that are pleasing on the eye. There are even things going on – on this particular Sunday the World Under 21 Volley Ball Championships were taking place on the Central Headland, the previous weekend it was the European Tour. Alongside there are numerous courts for holiday makers to try their hand. Another thing that enhances the championship it’s free to spectators!
Further down the Promenade where new sea defences are complete you find kite surfers plying their skills on the spacious beach at South Shore. When you add in the Tower (soon to be the venue for the final of “Strictly Come Dancing” in what Bruce Forsyth describes as ‘the most beautiful ballroom in the World’), the Pleasure Beach, the Sandcastle (a huge indoor waterpark), Blackpool really is becoming the Holiday City on the Beach.
If you travel away from the seafront and add in the Grand Theatre (another architectural treat), the Zoo and Stanley Park, you will find a great holiday destination.
You are right some of the planning decisions in the past have been poor but things have come a long way and are sure to improve. The Council’s Licensing authorities and trading standards are now taking a far tougher line on hoteliers and landlords who don’t keep their properties up to speed with health and safety, or others who choose to serve under age drinkers – about two dozen establishments are currently having their licences reviewed for various indiscretions.
We find it disingenuous, to say the least, that only last week your great programme ‘Hotel Rescue’ showed the town off in such a bad light. I realise that you only highlighted one dysfunctional hotel – surely you can now redress the balance and show off an appealing successful hotel in the Town – maybe a documentary about the “Big Blue”.
Please come back next year and tell your followers what you find. Come to stay with us and see our latest genre of designer accommodation. We’ll even help you find a good restaurant in the Town!
Yours sincerely
NIGEL SEDDON
Elgin Hotel – ‘Blackpool Hotel of the Year’ – awarded March 2009
(Yes we beat the “Big Blue”)
Well said. Yours is the most accurate and honest description of Blackpool that I have heard in a long time.
I believe that a lack of investment by restaurant,hotel and guest house owners, alongside other businesses, has created the Blackpool that we see today.
Combined with a succession of councils that have rested on their laurels Blackpool has really hit rock bottom.
This is a shame because the people of Blackpool are amongst the nicest you will ever meet. Down to earth, friendly and genuine. They genuinely want to see a better Blackpool and would welcome with open arms a different kind of clientelle as they wave goodbye to the groups of lager louts that make up the mainstay of visitors.
What needs to happen is simple. Council and business working together to upgrade standards in all areas. Also pride needs to be taken in the resort. Penalties should be introduced for litter bugs, vandals and anti social behaviour.
There is a lot planned for redeveloping Blackpool but cohesion between the authorities, business and the residents is crucial to this. Additionally the council needs to attract more “non tourist” businesses into the town to create a more wealthy economy.
Everyone agrees that Blackpool needs to pull its socks up and that is now happening with those properties that are being invested in being the ones that will survive..
Yes quality and facility is a must but so is value for money. The smaller operators need to have a business plan where they can compete with the big chains such as Travel Lodge and Preimer Inn. They need to provide the same facilities/quality at the same or a lower cost but with the added personal touch otherwise why would the public take a chance and not go where they know they can get value for money?
At the end of the day not everyone is looking for 5 star oppulent luxury nor do they want to be paying the prices some of these places are charging.
Yes there is a place for them and the No 1 have got it right by removing themselves from the traditional holiday area where they can forge a unique identity but this is not the answer for everyone.
It is very easy to provide an example. Higer rated establishments are now appearing in the town and Langtries is of course one of them but the whole plan has to be thought through. If I am paying £120+ a night fora room I want to park my car on the site and not at some car park a few hundred meters away nor down the street outside.
This I think is something that should have been pointed out in various episodes where it is clear there is no parking onsite.
Yes quality and up to date facilities are a must but not wet rooms in bathrooms nor suana/steam rooms outside of a 5 star establishment….
, I have been reading some of these comments on Blackpool and some I agree with and some not. I moved here a year a half ago with my partner to buy one of these b&b you talk of, we have since put our own stamp on it and you can read our reviews on trip adviser, we are about tp go for our star rating but due to back problems we are thinking of selling, we will stay in Blackpool, you need to know more about it, people that come to stay with us would never get the same stay in The Big Blue, they would get a good stay but we offer more, we care and are good at what we do. We are thinking of putting the Hotel up as a raffle , so someone who could never buy a Hotel could enjoy the life style that we are, we would welcome your comments on this idea.
I see mention of Trip Advisor reviews on this page and how they are important in decision making in the accomodation industry.
Persons should now be aware the Trip Advisor Business model is now seriously flawed. There are many more providers these days that allow guests to make comments about an establishment with one hugely important difference.
Guests have to have actually stayed in the accomodation before they are invited to make comment upon it.
The growth of the travel industry and online bookings over the last two or three years has rocketed. With the likes of eviivo, Late Rooms and Booking.com where at the stroke of key availability and prices can be queried and with another stroke booked, the process has become seamless.
The canny online booking portals soon caught on to the idea that they can send an email at the end of the stay and invite the guest to rate the establishment.
Clearly these reviews are ground breaking as they cannot be made without the guest having stayed first. Trip Advisors model has become seriously wanting over the years with some providers covertly gaming the system.
Accomodation providers take note the game is moving on and these types of review will become the norm and mainstream. I will go so far to say that in 5 or so years from now they will even do away with the need for accreditation organisations like Visit Britian.
I just finished watching your programme on The Blackpool Hotel and I was amazed at the egomaniacal attitude towards your advice by one singularly clueless person. Nevertheless, it was very entertaining and enjoyable.
Blackpool is hardly the most sought-after travel destination but it does receive visitors. I was wondering is the Hotel still in business?
Where do you buy your clothes? I love the outfits on country house rescue.