Blackpool maps out 21st-century vision

Seaside resort Blackpool, best known as Britain's most popular stag and hen night venue, is to be "reinvented for the 21st century", it was announced today (13 March).

The town's borough council has mapped out a vision to give the resort a new look and turn it into "a world class destination for leisure and business" with a programme of regeneration.

A children's entertainment complex, improved transport facilities and rules restricting the building of casinos between the town and the pleasure beach are said to be part of a plan to attract more families to the resort.

Blackpool's population currently doubles at weekends thanks to the scores of hen and stag parties that stay in the resort's 5,000 hotels and B&Bs, yet visitor numbers overall have declined in recent years.

Ann Minnett, owner of the 14-bedroom Colby hotel, said the plans "couldn't have come sooner". Minnett has seen a 40% drop in turnover in the past 15 years due to the town becoming a haunt for one-night-only hen and stag parties which deter family trade.

She said: "We need a change. Blackpool has been going downhill year after year, and we've allowed ourselves to become too complacent. Many hotels have jumped on the stags and hen trade, but that doesn't fill rooms for the rest of the week. The sooner things change the better."

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 13-19 March 2003