A famous UK seaside town has been slammed for its wild teenagers and empty homes. A first glance shows Ilfracombe in Devon’s beautiful scenery and bustling tourism, but many locals share concerns about housing, the high street and a general feeling that their town is losing its identity.
Ilfracombe in Devon was a popular Victorian seaside resort with tall, often five-storey buildings that retain the town’s Victorian character. But Michelle, who owns View Apartments, said that the town’s houses are no longer fit for purpose. “The councils are keen to keep them for that Victorian look, but a lot of buildings are empty and derelict. “They’re too much to run, and then when people buy them, they haven’t got the money to maintain them. They’re not energy efficient, not suitable for families, and can’t house elderly or disabled people.”
North Devon Council said it is aiming to improve Ilfracombe’s housing standards and security through a £1.98 million investment, which will fund new affordable housing. Tourism is Ilfracombe’s “bread and butter”. Adrift Ocean owner Ben Fielding loves the “buzz” of summer tourism, saying that without visitors, “the town would crumble”.
But another shop owner suggested that the town’s reliance on tourism is pushing young people into moving away to find work: “There’s not much here, young people move out to find better opportunities, the tourists in the summer are what keeps the town on its toes and keeps us going,” reports DevonLive.
North Devon Council said that though tourism is an important element of Ilfracombe’s economy, there are “large, hi-tech employers providing well-paid, highly skilled and permanent jobs in the town” as well as smaller companies involved in a range of sectors.
Some weren’t quick to praise the social scene in Ilfracombe, saying naughty teenagers and drunks make their streets feel unsafe, with “police doing nothing about it”.
One said: “We’ve got some kids, they’re about 14 years old, most people know who they are who do so much damage. The police don’t do anything about it.”
Sector Insp, Rich Preston, said police are doing their best to tackle antisocial behaviour through regular street patrols by officers, community safety partnership colleagues, and council-funded street marshals.
A prominent concern is the state of the high street. Many describe it as run-down and crumbling. Alec, a shop owner, said the town needs a breath of fresh air: “Ilfracombe High Street is an opportunity wasted.
“So much is bare, it’s shocking. Nobody is taking advantage of this place. Everything is notoriously closed, no one bringing new ideas, we need a breath of fresh air.”
One local lamented how much the high street has changed since she moved to the seaside town just seven years ago, saying the only thing that’s worth using on the high street now is the chemist.
She added: “It wasn’t that bad when I moved here, there was a Subway, Costa and a Market but they’ve all closed and gone now. A butcher’s closed as well and The Factory shop.”
But despite its flaws, Ilfracombe residents say they are a strong community, all banding together if anyone is in need. “The people are all so friendly and supportive, and there’s a real sense of community,” said Darren from St James’ Tea Room.
Another resident, Linda, who has lived in Ilfracombe for 25 years, said: “Overall, I like Ilfracombe. The community is what makes it. It’s friendly, kind and caring.”
North Devon Council echoed this sentiment: “The community in Ilfracombe is incredibly strong, with many groups and individuals who are active in improving people’s lives in the town. It would be wrong to say that the community has been diminished by people who have moved to the area.”
