Blackpool - Back In The Day

An archive film made in 2009 showing the transformation of Blackpool from its thriving holiday resort status in the 19th and early 20th centuries to the beginning of its regeneration this decade.
Historian Terry Regan is our expert who discusses the issues which have changed Blackpool in recent years.
Archive material used with permissions. Not for replication or download.

[@johnm400uk]

Whatever has happened to my once beautiful country? I remember early/mid 80s going to Blackpool on days out and the beach would be packed with people enjoying harmless good old fashioned traditional British seaside fun. You had the likes of Lewis's and Binns department store which where all part of a day out in Blackpool. Anybody remember Beatties model shop in the Houndshill shopping centre? My parents never had a lot of spare money but my dad would always take me there and do the best he could with the money he had whilst my mum looked in the other shops. We would go back to the car and have sandwiches that we had brought in a cool box and later in the day we would head down to the Pleasure Beach where you could walk around freely without having to pay to get in. If i was lucky id be allowed a few of the smaller rides like the Ghost Train and River Caves. How i miss those days. Blackpool just isnt Blackpool anymore but isnt that true of many British towns and cities these days?

[@john111257]

times just change , so do people, most not for the best

[@davidroyle2569]

I grew up in Blackpool 64-82 my mum and dad had a guest house on central drive when it was busy I slowly watched it decline, I did go back from time to time only to watch a total disregard for the beautiful buildings they demolished, too many of them to mention. I did write to Blackpool council and suggested they turn it into a place for food, empty buildings to turn into good restaurants employment, and fresh fish eight mile up the road in Fleetwood, they more or less told me to mind my own, so I wrote back and said “AND STOP KNOCKING BUILDINGS DOWN!”

[@franm1721]

1966 l am 15 me and mates, seemed the world was at our feet, the first week in August, Blackpool was packed, the brightly coloured boarding houses went well back from the front all no vacancies, what a great week, l don't think l had that feeling of freedom and excitement again.

[@traciewarnock721]

I'm Blackpool born and bred, born 1968, I was proud to tell people that I lived here, loved going to the beach and helping my auntie with the donkeys, Mr B's in the 6 weeks holidays, popping in at Lewis's on the way to try samples of make up, going to the ABC on a Saturday morning to watch kid's films. Absolutely loved it. Just a shame my grandbabies can't have similar memories, to many drunks, drugs, fighting etc, there's no way on earth I would walk through the town on my own today, such a shame. Blackpool needs to look after their own and they will look after Blackpool, nowadays it's all about how many hen and stag parties etc they can get here. Such a shame.

[@amandaastley4019]

The beach never gets packed like this

[@jomckenzie1979]

i live here. was proud when i was younger. now no jobs. nobody comes. very sad.

[@john111257]

i come every year..and have done for years

[@Sion.Ryan.Green.]

Joanne Mckenzie we go all the time, usually to the zoo as we're members, and then Stanley Park, then along the front and have a pic nic on the front or the pier at St.Annes. I have lots of happy memories there and would love to live near the sea. I'd go for bike rides along the prom listening to the waves. My Grandparents lived in Layton, Annessley Avenue for years but are gone now. I can't wait to go next to see the new baby Gorilla Mak X

[@john111257]

i come

[@V.T.1989]

Im comin from America to stay 4 days in December.🇬🇧😄

[@gillianjenkins3347]

As a child I lived at Blackpool whereby my mom her sister and their mom ran the boarding house. They were very happy days and now when I see people causing trouble and fighting it is so sad. There is no need, why can’t people just enjoy themselves. When I lived there I never saw any trouble and they were such happy days. Bring back those days.

[@williamslatter3129]

what a great movie,,so sad those days have gone.

[@robinblant7096]

Not just Blackpool,the entire country is an overcrowded shit hole.

[@peterg957]

Lived in that area in the late 60s... Happy days...

[@mp3ste1]

iam remember as a boy in the early 80's how exciting and fantastic blackpool was. the entertainment on offer was quite amazing you was spoilt for choice. the winter gardens were brilliant , i even used to like to watch the older people dance in the ball room , eric delaney and his band used to play alot there. B&b was £10-£15 and worth every penny. last time i visited blackpool was around 7 years ago for a short break and it was a ghost of itself. it was a very sad sight to see the state it was in. how can britains entertainment capital be neglected like this ?

[@hollybaker330]

This video helped a lot with my homework, thank you.

[@6chloeee]

Have you finished school yet? Did u do well?

[@UB107]

Part of the decline of Blackpool, and of society more generally, must also be due to the spread of drug culture these past few decades.

[@tsgtweedvalley4646]

UB107 nonsense. Foriegn holidays got cheaper. Drugs have been around since the fifties

[@wellybobs4403]

The day the idiots decided to demolish the open air lido was the sign of things to come... As demonstrated by its replacement . The infamous "sand castle" which lasted about as long as an actual sandcastle.... The premium stores left when the rates got to stupid levels. Woolworths being a prime example. Even the glorious Stanley Park was left to go downhill. I am ashamed of the town I grew up in.

[@john111257]

the great old days of real fun,family holidays..ppl have no morals anymore..peeing in the street..girls with skirts up there backs...drunk..bad language..not just in blackpool ..a wonderful place..ruined by general society..its really so sad

[@ewilliams370]

Totally agree with you. People have changed ...........for the worst and it's affected most of the country not just Blackpool, which by the way i still visit every year!??? Still enjoy it.

[@john111257]

me too

[@trainablebook7079]

thank you sir

[@robertscholey2012]

well said that man

[@dambuster6387]

I think the introduction of cheap package holidays abroad is what killed Blackpool.

[@john111257]

only sun, nothing else

[@dambuster6387]

Guaranteed sunshine and Excitement of going abroad.

[@jerrylott4465]

Cheap holidays abroad killed every seaside resort in the country apart from Brighton and Cornwall

[@mauricetaylor6802]

I went with my then girlfriend Bernadette in 1973 went back in 1976 on our honeymoon.😀😀😀😀😀😀

[@davidroyle2569]

Would you take on board a suggestion from an old Blackpuddleion, 1964-80 sea food restaurants supply's from fleet Wood? "If you cook it, they will come"

[@booth2710]

Sad to say, now it's Deadpool

[@crispinalanrobinson4515]

Blackpool is not the first seaside resort it was Scarborough

[@ghostlylover99123]

Remember those wild west days

[@Ireland299]

well said

[@robert8077]

I went to Blackpool for first time Summer 2003, Summer 2008, then again Summer 2015 and enjoy pepsi max big one roller coaster

[@Leoviliti1]

Nothing deterred me from moving here six years ago ...My partner lived here all his life and so It was only right I came to stay rather than move him away from the only place he knew... I know much sadness has come to the town in regards to shop fronts and closures..but it's still a lovely coastal area.. I agree in regards to the people who caused a nasty reputation to the place ( hen parties etc)..as it's still occurring today.. every point you make is totally true... Especially when the way The council want so much to be put back into Blackpool all at once..regardless of the negativity it'll cause on the towns popularity .. The tram lines for instance are causing more shops to foreclose when many funds should have helped them to remain open like for instance loss of earnings due to disruption.. And when I asked a proprietor why he was closing a well known shop on Talbot road , he said "since they began work my shop has seen six customers per day instead of at least 76.. " That's a high amount of customers to lose isn't it?

[@Leoviliti1]

Also ..it was home of entertainment the great well known stars would be showcasing continually.. the best attraction to Blackpool was this ! And sadly the big names have declined from here.. leaving many holiday makers nothing much to come to Blackpool for..other than the large events such as punk festival gay pride ..even farmers week has now had to take a stabbing as the crowds let Blackpool down by causing bad behaviour (fighting and drunkenness) so that now won't be here either.. they still have the pleasure beach, the tower, sea life madam Tussauds the dungeons Ripley's etc.. but that'd only take a weekend to complete those attractions..abd they aren't even on the North side.. people have been bitten and now twice shy to come here for a holiday..after witnessing so many drunken brawls , even homelessness plays a big part from residents who once lived here all their lives but due to losing assets they're stuck on the streets.. Its the people who still own small businesses they need to help as they could go from strength to strength and bring about some paid work to these people again..rebuild confidence and livelihoods. With everyone paying it forward..this town could be great again I always thought if everyone who lived in Blackpool were to donate to a fund whatever they could.. And volunteers of tradesmen and anyone else willing to help.. we could take it upon ourselves to get Blackpool back on his feet.. Help make the shop fronts more appealing ..re open some that are closed even if it's only to sell homemade crafts.. Anything to attract people rather than let them see rust corrosion broken windows and homeless people sleeping in the doorways.. These homeless would volunteer no end to help out alongside the good people of this town.. As it will restore their faith and give them a sense of worth ..they will be finally rehoused after many dead town houses are reopened.. if the funds stretch that far. Could this stay just a mere dream ... will I ever wake up to it being a reality..?

[@davidpendry7731]

The illuminations are nowhere near spectacular as they were in the sixties and seventies. Sadly so many businesses now boarded up. Oh well the Fish n chips and Mushy peas lookin good

[@micjubba709]

The Counsil need do more tidy it up not let everything be changed to much with big shops taking all the money need more going into local places sort out the backstreets and run down hotels

[@ltdspacepig8486]

good

[@kylewhite9665]

BGMedia brap brap brap.. ✌️

[@CHRISBUCKLANDjohn]

Hi are the T Regain from George street Blackpool if so can you let me know.

[@XantroyX]

CHRIS BUCKLAND Who?

[@lilianhigson8519]

CHRIS BUCKLAND Was is that

[@TravelHonestly]

Gosh that “historian” talks a lot of tosh. The new promenade is wonderful.

[@spicetillispice]

interesting

[@laurac2066]

Blackpool needs to be more dog friendly like Skegness u can take your dog in everywhere there .

[@jamesupton4996]

How can you have a Fact in your opinion?

[@bran756]

Let’s face it,it’ll always be tacky.

[@majagroch5792]

Anybody else here because of geography homework? haha

[@AnnmarieKelley]

The drunks is y I moved from Blackpool

[@stephenduncan3605]

And probably to somewhere with the same problem!

[@john111257]

radio caroline on the transistor

[@mikechick221]

need stricter drinkking laws or council be allowed to but out legation on it own on drink and retry and apply to get the casino built or the plesurebech build the rammered bigger one coaster and the concil and grants help to pay for it

[@MrHarrytrout]

***** you have been on the cooking sherry again old boy

[@benhayes9570]

Well said!

[@stephenroche5107]

E british holiday makers killed this town.

[@brennanbalsters7950]

We'll this is awkward

[@carltheblue.2531]

Blackpool is great for a good old piiss up! Throwing up all over the pavement, pissing your self....wow Costa Blackpool rules

[@john111257]

sure as shit that ruins uk

[@lennylaa1686]

hate being drunk...not for me.

[@garywhittaker5473]

dirty fucker

[@mrswigglebottom967]

Good analysis. Decent tourists now demand the cleanliness, sophistication and beauty that can be found in other countries. Most comments on here are about remembering the 60s and 70s. That must be forgotten, needs have changed. Despite the weather, Blackpool needs to grow into the green age with trees and plants. There are plants suited to every climate so no excuse. Relaxing luxurious indoor biospheres would be welcome. The council needs to change its mindset from offering a purely doing holiday to offering a relaxing and doing holiday. The cheap U.K. amusement arcades should be assigned as museums and please no working horses or donkeys. Instead, I would love to see beach and pavement grand cafes and restaurants as abroad. And trees and more trees, dunes and parks by the beach! And if they build it all at once that is fine by me.

[@mauricetaylor6802]

I went with my then girlfriend Bernadette in 1973 went back in 1976 on our honeymoon.😀😀😀😀😀😀