Case Study: Blackpool

Question 1

Facts and figures

Answer 1

• a seaside resort on the Irish Sea coast of England
• known for Blackpool Pleasure Beach, an old-school amusement park with vintage wooden roller coasters
• Built in 1894, the landmark Blackpool Tower houses a circus, a glass viewing platform and the Tower Ballroom, where dancers twirl to the music of a Wurlitzer organ. Blackpool Illuminations is an annual light show on the boardwalk

Question 2

What are the Blackpool’s stages of development?

Answer 2

1. Exploration (1720-1780)
2. Involvement (1780 -1850)
3. Development (1850 - 1870)
4. Consolidation (1870 - 1950)
5. Stagnation (1970 - 1980)
6. Decline (1980 -1990)
7. Rejuvenation (2000 onwards)

Question 3

Exploration stage (1720s-1780s)

Answer 3

• Small fishing village
• Visited by a small number of tourists who were members of the landed gentry (rich members of the society) who relaxed on the beach and enjoyed fresh air
• 1780 - 4 hotels and a few guest houses for working class population

Question 4

Involvement stage (1780s-1850s)

Answer 4

• In 1781, private road between Blackpool to Manchester and Halifax was built
• Provided cheap access to the coastal resort for people from northern England
• In 1846, a railway line was built linking Blackpool to major industrial towns
• Holiday cottages, assembly rooms and shops were also built by locals to accommodate tourists
• => increased tourism numbers greatly as people sought the fresh coastal air

Question 5

Development stage (1850-1870s)

Answer 5

• Visitor number continue to increase (1856-1870) -> Result of many development
• Host community started to build more attractions to promote
• eg) The Promenade was built along the sea front
  
  • The constuction of The North Pier and the Theatre Royal

Question 6

Consolidation (1870s-1950s)

Answer 6

• Tourist numbers reached nearly 4 million in 1931
• Became an established tourist destination
• Depended on the industry to provide employment and income for local economy
• Maintained its growth by improving transport which includes building electric tramway and access to resorts and and building other attractions
  
  • E.g. Winter Gardens (first opera house), Blackpool tower, Pleasure Beach Theme Park

Question 7

Stagnation (1970s-1980s)

Answer 7

• Number of tourist stabilised and began to drop
• Cause by problems of the sudden influx of visitor and late night drinking
• Excess the carrying capicity of the town
  
  • Overcrowding, noise, anti-social behaviour, lack of car parking areas
• Decline in the standard of facilities and services damaned
• Stagnation was aided by the growth of forgein travel in 1970s
  
  • The growth of Sandy beaches, warm climates, cheap flight and package holiay
  • Black Pool opened Black Pool Zoo and The Sand Castle at this time.

=> Tourist move away from British coastal resort -> warm Mediterranean resorts

Question 8

Decline (1980s-1990s)

Answer 8

• Visitor numbers began to fall significantly in 1980s => decline in the economy as there was a rise in unemployment
• Visitor nights declined from 16 million to 20 million
• Average annual hotel occupancy rate reduced to 22%
• Reason - deteriorating social and environmental conditions:
  
  • old and outdated hotels
  • sub-standard food service
  • overcrowded beaches and streets
  • noise and anti social behaviour
  • traffic congestion

Question 9

Rejuventaion (2000 on wards)

Answer 9

• Reinvesting itself as a resort
• Diversify Black Pool -> Become an all year tourist attraction
  
  • Improving transport access to the resort
  • Upgrading existing hotel and it’s Illumination feature
  • Build conference and art centres -> host event
  • Marketing as a place for week-end and short breaks

=> Also improve local living standard by creating more jobs & improve living environment

Question 10

Specific examples of rejuvenation measures

Answer 10

• In 2006, 200 million pounds refurbishment was made to passenger termonal at Blackpool airport
• The Bond Hotel will have a 14 million pounds upgrade with modern amenities
• A new parkland area has been built with two 20 metre high climbing towers
• Blackpool illuminations upgraded using energy efficient fibre-optic cables and lasers
• Hosts a number of political conferences and events such as Dance Festival or Chess Tournaments => attract tourists
• Total investments cost 2.2 billion pounds