popularity rose when railway was built in the 1840s
connected to industrial regions of northern England
easier and cheaper for visitors to reach Blackpool
influx of settlers caused Blckpool to become a borough in 1876
population increase over the years
1881: 14,000
1901: 47,000
1951: 147,000
in 1863, North Pier constructed
favourite gathering place of upper-class tourists
first of three famous piers
in 1868, Central Pier constructed
contained theatres, assembly rooms
open-air dancing for the masses introduced in 1870
in 1893, South Pier opened
Pleasure Gardens began in 1870s
included a lake, theatre, ballroom, race cource, skating rink, aviary and monkey houses and football and cricket grounds
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Reasons for Growth - cont.
Winter Gardens opened in 1878
featured an indoor promenade and pavillion
one novelty ride was the inspiration for the first permanent electric tramway in the UK, the Blackpool Tram
operational in 1885
first trams, free of charge
used for transport of farm aimals and building materials
in 1877, while suffering from economic depression, Blackpool Coucil launched a carnival
spurred tourism and economic growth, highlighted by Blackpool street lights and Blackpool Illumination
more than 100,000 people watched the first show
strengthned its entertainment industry in the 1890s with construction of the Opera House in the Winter Gardens Complex and circus and ballroom at the Blackpool Tower, as well as a 220ft Gigantic Wheel, the biggest in the world
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Decline
growth continuous until 1960, but in decline due to guaranteed sun and warmth from Meditirranean countries for 40 years
1990-1999, visitor numbers dropped from 17 million to 11 million
1,000 hotels ceased trading
300 holiday flat premises closed
average hotel occupancy rate as low as 25%
by 2000, some bed-and-breakfast prices had fallen to £10 per night
left no money for investments or improvements
families frightened off by binge-drinking culture of 'stag nights' and 'hen parties'
rise in beach and sea water pollution as well as coastal erosion
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Strategies for Problems
pulling down old buildings and landscaping car parks
in 2006, three of Blackpool's beaches given blue flags for clean water
sand extraction reduced further up coast to reduce rate of erosion of beaches
'Blackpool Illuminations' being transformed by £10 million investment
more covered areas for tourists to protect themselves from bad weather
sandcastle water park
new type of tourism
more families
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Stategies Effectiveness
average occupancy rates in hotels remain below25%
will have to rely on day trippers and people who stay for a few nights at best
attractions have not changed and limited by its size
other coastal resorts tried to attract small businesses, but Blackpool too big and suffers from its image
not wealthy
high rates of unemployment
areas of deprivation
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Plans for Success
intoducing super casinos, big rides and extention to airport in 1995 which cost £2 million
Transport Minister Norman Baker officially reopened the Blackpool tramway on April 3rd 2012, following 4 year project to revitalize the only traditional tram line in the UK
Blackpool Council bought the Tower and Winter Gardens whilst Merlin Entertainment run the Tower with new attractions
tower being repainted with observation deck, big walk of faith, a dungeon and a glass sun lounge to be restored
Pleasure Beach invested £10 million in Nickolodeon attraction in 2011
promenade between North and South Pier almost completely rebuilt with headlands extending it
new modern wedding chapel built on promenade close to North Pier with views to sea and Tower
Tower Headland opened with a show by Elton John on June 16th 2012
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