Innovative Ways to Regenerate and Invigorate Seaside Towns

Seaside towns have been in serious decline. The move to foreign tourism in the latter half of the 20th century saw these once-thriving Victorian-era entertainment hubs lose purpose. In the North West, Blackpool is the beating heart of seaside towns but is surrounded by smaller areas like Southport, and even going further north you can find towns like Morecambe suffering the same fate. But how can these places regain their lustre and invite visitors back? Below we discuss the ways to regenerate and invigorate seaside towns.

Providing New Entertainment Venues

The entertainment industry is one sector that is flourishing. Live music, comedy and theatre are seeing visitors in record numbers. People want to go out and see live entertainment and it could be used to bring visitors back.

This has led to the renovation of old buildings in many parts of the country that have served a similar purpose. One example is the Stockton Globe Theatre, which had its original sixties interior renovated and has since seen the likes of Paul Weller and the Kaiser Chiefs play there.

Another option would be to look to upmarket casino venues. The popularity of casinos has been buoyed by the increase in online providers. You go to the home page of a major operator and sign up, such as the Bet Casino login, and then you can play games in an instant. For those who have never played casino games before, it is a great way to learn. Casinos will provide helpful guides on everything from slot titles to black jack rules. Learning in the comfort of their home, players have then moved into physical casinos instead of taking trade away.

Sports Based Regeneration

Using sport to regenerate a seaside town is another way a place can be revitalised. These towns have the advantage of the coast, and if they are lucky enough, may have bays and estuaries to assist them. Exmouth in Devon has used this model to great success. They focus on the culture of healthy living, combining it with the environment. This has included new watersports facilities for kayaking, sailing and surfing, but it has also added an array of leisure and dining facilities to complement this.

The theory is that this will have a long-term impact. With schemes to get more people into watersports, it enhances the mental health of those living in the area. It is hoped that courses for local children may also help reduce anti-social disorder.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to this. What may work in other seaside towns in the UK is not guaranteed to work in Southport and its surrounding areas. Yet with consultation and the right planning, some initiatives could help the area’s seaside towns flourish.