Blackpool, the vibrant seaside resort loved by many, is facing a major problem that is driving tourists away. Derelict properties, including abandoned cannabis farms, are wreaking havoc on the town, leading to an increase in anti-social behavior and a decline in holidaymakers.
Hoteliers group StayBlackpool is sounding the alarm, urging the council to take strict measures against irresponsible owners and tackle this blight head-on.
Ian White, a director of StayBlackpool, didn't mince his words when he addressed the full council meeting on Wednesday. He expressed his frustration, saying: "Having moved to Blackpool in 2005, I see many of the abandoned buildings still the same 20 years later. Are the owners being chased, are the owners being charged council tax, business rates or both to encourage them to deal with what are often dangerous eyesores?"
Mr White emphasised the detrimental impact these neglected properties have on the community, stating: "These properties become magnets for crime and anti-social behavior. They significantly put off decent people from returning and put residents off venturing out of their homes onto the safer streets." A staggering 85% of the nearly 19 million visitors last year choosing not to stay overnight but returning home instead.
Blackpool Council leader, Coun Lynn Williams, who is also responsible for tourism, assured that action was underway to address the issue. Currently, the council has around 40 to 50 problematic properties on its radar.
A new strategy to combat this problem is set to be presented to the executive in September. The council is already working closely with various partners, including the police, to tackle the issue head-on.
Efforts have already yielded results, as Coun Williams revealed: "Since a specialist post had been created in 2021 to focus on problem empty properties, there have been 10 prosecutions and nearly 50 enforcement notices served, including to 16 landlords in relation to properties being used as cannabis farms." These actions demonstrate the council's determination to restore Blackpool's allure.
Coun Williams said the collaborative approach taken to address this blight, stating, "The close working relationship with all internal and external partners ensures all community and economic concerns are dealt with holistically to ensure the discontinuation of the community blight and the anti-social behavior they attract."
While it is true that day visitors outnumber those who choose to stay overnight, Coun Williams attributed this partly to challenging economic conditions. Nevertheless, she assured everyone that "total visitor numbers are, despite everything, holding up well."
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