A tourist board has refuted the results of a damning poll which branded its seaside town the worst in the UK. Blackpool was named as the worst seaside town in an Express poll last week.
The Lancashire town garnered more than a quarter of the votes, with Rhyl in Wales trailing behind in second place with a 15 percent vote. Skegness secured eight percent of the votes, while fashionable Brighton and Clacton tied with seven percent each.
Bognor Regis and Bournemouth received a mere three per cent of votes, while Newquay had just two. Several factors contributed to this decision, according to research. The town reported more violent crimes than any other, with a staggering 10,849 incidents in 2023 alone.
Online reviews have even described the area as “a mess of buildings with no identity” and “aesthetically so dead”. But it’s not all bad news.
Blackpool, renowned for its iconic tower and illuminations, used to be a hotspot for around 17 million tourists annually – and many still return. The Ardwick, one of the town’s pubs, boasts the UK’s cheapest pint.
YouTuber Wendall, who has 57,000 followers, documented life in the town and declared: “There is not a cheaper pint in this great nation,” adding that “You can get a pint of cider, a pint of John Smiths, or a pint of Fosters for £1.80.”
However, it’s a sad sight as numerous shops have been boarded up, echoing the decline of many UK high streets due to decreased footfall. One such shop, formerly Blackpool’s Woolworths, remains vacant while the owner and local council dispute over its potential conversion into a car park.
Contrary to claims that the town is “depressing”, locals working at Blackpool’s tourism centre have defended their town.
VisitBlackpool, which promotes tourism in the area, refuted these allegations, telling the Mirror that Blackpool remains a top choice for those seeking seaside enjoyment.
A spokesperson highlighted a new department store, a tramway extension, and a new IMAX multiplex cinema as part of a massive regeneration project worth £1billion.
A spokesperson confided with the Mirror: “Blackpool remains the UK’s most popular seaside destination with around 19 million visitors a year. We have the biggest range of branded family attractions outside London, six miles of beaches, a world-class events programme and an annual Illuminations display that spans four months, attracting around six million visitors at a time of year when many resorts are winding down.”
