Dreamland Leisure

[Nick]

No where in that document does it saythat Seaside resorts are attracting more tourists. The implication of the report is that the population of seaside towns is growing faster then average. This seem to be driven by a large number of hotels and guests houses being converted to cheap rented accomodation. The population growth would naturally account for an increase in jobs. The report though points out that Unemployment in Seaside reports is well above average. The report also states that Unemployment is far higher then the official figures show.

Nothing at all in that report indicates any real growth in the tourist market.

Whilst I never said that this particular report states that seaside resorts are attracting more tourists, I think it says an awful lot more about the economy of resorts than you suggest if you read it properly. It certainly is not all doom and gloom.

And the more I think about your claim that nobody wants to invest in seaside resorts, the more crazy it appears. We know that Messrs Hunter and Miller both want to invest in Margate, although only the latter has actually made clear exactly what he wants to do. But look at Blackpool, which you keep referring to. Last year, Blackpool Council had almost 30 bids from international casino operators and developers to invest literally hundreds of millions in the town. I am working myself on two major projects in the town, and have recently been approached by a well-known developer for a third significant development. Each of these developments is worth considerably greater than £100m. And at Great Yarmouth, I am involved in another large investment in the town's tourism industry. Again, however, these investments all complement existing attractions, they do not replace them. I don't think you can really back up your comments about nobody wanting to invest in seaside resorts; I certainly don't expect you to. And you will never convince me (nor are you likely to convince many members of this campaign) that replacing Dreamland with the sort of thing that can be found in any town in Britain will be a good thing for Margate.

Nick

[Hairy Vince]

Nick....quite simply

YOU THE MAN!!!

[Bob]

The researchers found that over the last three decades total employment in the towns actually grew by around 320,000, or more than 20 per cent. This growth was faster than in the national economy as a whole. The growth in jobs has been among both men and women, and full and part-timers.

So over 30 Years all the seaside resorts in the UK have seen 10,000 new jobs a year. Not exacly a lot

Yet at the same time the research shows there is an on-going problem of joblessness in seaside towns, where unemployment figures are in most cases well above those in surrounding areas. The unemployment problem is much larger than official figures indicate, the report explains, and especially high in a number of towns that have missed out on the more favourable economic trends elsewhere.

So in spite of increase in jobs the population growth outstrips it and unemployment remains very high and well above average

The report shows that the continuing imbalance in seaside labour markets is mainly the result of large-scale migration to seaside towns, which is outstripping the growth of local employment. Over the last thirty years, 360,000 more adults of working age moved into seaside towns than moved out. Much of this in-movement has been driven by a preference for living in the towns, but the availability of private rented accommodation, for example in former boarding houses, also appears to be a factor.

The population growth is mainly retiress, unmarried mothers and the unemployed


This is not a sound basis for an Amusement Park Business. I think your previous statement was a far more accurate reflection of the status

[David Ellis]

I fail to see how this debate on population growth (and in many ways unemployment) relates to the success (or not) of amusement parks.

Amusement parks rely on the tourist trade rather than just the local population. Sure, local people are important, but the secret to success is getting the tourists to travel...resident population is not really a totally accurate predictor of success here. i.e. How many visitors to Alton Towers, Blackpool and even Adventure Island actually live and work locally to them?

David.

[DaveD]

I couldn't agree more David - I know people who live in Great Yarmouth and Allhallows that have never even been to the seafront.

I got as excited as a playful kitten when I found out that I'd be working in Maidstone, just down the road from my favorite Italian restaurant. I did about five years there and didn't visit the restaurant once! People enjoy travelling and something always seems more attractive generally when it is just that little bit out of reach.

Dave D

[cliffc]

I think you totally fail to understand the Economics of these things. Yes 5 Million £5 pounds is a lot of money but it is insignificant compared to Black pools costs. The Holiday market has changed and continues to change. The traditional seaside resorts are no longer the attraction they once were. They now cater for a niche market of mainly elderly visitors.
Believe me if these places were the goldmine you make them out to be companies would be falling over themselves for a slice of the action. As it is no one wants to invest in them.

Hi All

Looks like the rear orifice is working overtime again, the last time i was at BPB (august last year) i did not notice a large amount of old people walking round BPB, or indeed a larger number of older visitors, there were alot of familys and younger people there, and i do understand that there are many people wanting to invest in Blackpool as once again Nick has proven.

Cliffc

[taffy]

Is Bob really saying that 300,000 jobs is 'not exactly a lot'?

Hasn't Nick already pointed out that businesses need to complement each other and respond to each other in seaside towns. Employment begats employment. Economists agree on that. Taking a large feature/employer out of a town has a ripple effect on the whole community which spirals downwards. Investment and focus on behalf of employees and consumers results in development and improvement.

Taffy

[Bob]

More of the usual from Bob. Opinions and no facts.

And in what way is the posting a reply to mine for RB? Not a single reference to the posting!

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 9:14 pm Post subject: The End of the Pier Show

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The facts are that all UK resorts are struggling. The market is shrinking and is overprovided. It needs to contract to ensure some survive.

Contrary to what many say Blackpool is not the success its made out to be. Yes its annual revenues are still quite high but they have been falling fast for many years and Blackpool is struggling believe me it is.

This year there will probably be no end of pier show. Its possible as well the Opera House may not put on a Summer Season this year


The market is changing and is continuing to change. There is a diminishing demand for the traditional seaside resort. There is nothing that will change that. Seaside resorts have to adapt or die. Turning the clock back is not an option.

[Neil]

Here we go again round the same old circle. Don't tell me-are we living in the past like Doctor Who?

I did take the time to delve out a link I thought you might be interessted in, but obviously you forgot to look at it (or forgot to comment!). You might like to check out the following page:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3612329.stm

[taffy]

Thanks for the link Neil. It is obvious what the facts are, despite Bob's prostestations. Have a read Bob!!!!!!!

Only Bob could take the number one British tourist attraction and say '...and Blackpool is struggling believe me it is'!!!!!!! What 'may' or 'may not' happen elsewhere in Blackpool doesn't detract from the fact that the pleasure beach is a massive draw!!!!!!

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

That was a good read. What could be better than a fun place to hang out for the day that's attractive and reasonably priced?