Is it time for a resurgence in Britain's seaside towns?

[AB Asks]

The decline of Britain's seaside towns has been well documented, and the reason for this decline has been the package holiday, more disposable income and cheaper flights abroad. Is it about time that our seaside towns made the effort to win holiday makers back? Would you be willing to go on holiday to Britain's resorts if they refurbished and made an effort to rival the foreign locations?

[vehelpfulguy]

>the package holiday, more disposable income and cheaper flights abroad

I think it is all about WEATHER.

If people knew they could get good weather in the UK they would stay here, but look at this summer - rain rain rain.

Having said that I love British seaside towns and in the last few years have visited Brighton, Barry Island and south Wales, Hunstanton and the north norfolk coast, the Lynn peninsula and Llandudno.

But I have to say that many British seaside towns look rather run down, and if even Blackpool is struggling and needs a casino what hope for the rest.

I think the only reason Brighton looks pretty good is that it is a city in its own right that happens to be on the coast, where most other seaside towns only exist as holiday resorts and stand and fall by that.

The only hope for most British seaside towns is 10 years of great summers.

[vehelpfulguy]

I watched Coast on TV recently and was amazed to see that the Midland Hotel in Morecombe was being refurbished.

This Art Deco hotel was derilict and was in danger of being pulled down but now has a major resoration project going on.

I have to say the only time I visited Morecombe about 20 years ago it was a dump (sorry Morecombe fans).

So I will be very interested when the hotel opens what type of people go there and what they do to attract people to Morecombe.

Great to see someone investing some money in a scheme like this.

Web site here:

http://www.midlandhotel.org/

Picture of the hotel looking rather sad

http://russelldavies.typepad.com/planning/imag es/DSC00032-thumb.JPG

[ojread2]

Price is a big factor for me
Casing point: 1 week in Marton Mere caravan park in a caravan of lesser 'luxury' than the one we are going to in France, costs �419 for week beginning 15th Sept. This does not include anything other than a �10 returnable linen deposit. Tickets for Blackpool pleasure beach are around the �30 a day mark and will be a cost on top of the weekly price. This is about 250 mile from where we live

1 week in a caravan of a higher 'luxury' in France for 7 nights starting 11th Sept INCLUDING 2 days of Disney tickets for 2 adults and one child �397. This is about 155 miles form where we live so less to pay for petrol. Weather is usually better too - or certainly has been of the past few years we have been going

Refurbishment means higher prices.

[ojread2]

And that price for a Haven holiday in Marton Mere is AFTER an internet booking saving of �140!

[amonty1144]

We have just had a 'cheap' holiday in Wales. It was expensive to eat, the attractions were expensive, diesel nealry crippled us and the weather was vile.

I will never holiday in the UK again, give me the algarve with guaranteed weather, cheap food and fuel and I'll be a happy woman.