George Hotel Blackpool Demolition

The historic George Hotel which has been a landmark building on Central Drive in Blackpool is being bulldozed after it was found to be suffering from structural problems earlier in the year. Plans to convert the upper floors into apartments were shelved after Blackpool Council deemed the locally listed building to be unsafe.
The George Hotel has stood here for 130 years. You can find out more about the history of the building, and Blackpool in general on Juliette Gregson's blog here bit.ly/3jGm5RJ

[@terrykemp8131]

I am always sad when historic Victorian brick buildings are neglected and have to be demolished. Infect I get annoyed. It is frustrating to see. It is happening all over the UK.

[@briandoherty3249]

100 % agree it's a offensive I bet nobody wanted this to happen . Pubs in general are under attack even the modern ones are being demolished.

[@Benjamin3.5]

i agree it's a shame, since they are historic buildings, but you have to admit they do look like shit. the whole of the uk is built like this and to me it's ugly as hell and i think the whole country needs redoing.

[@briandoherty3249]

@@5Rays excess demolition. In my 54yrs I've seen slum clearance, which needed to be done . I've seen old neglected buildings redemption redeveloped, and I've seen old ww2 bomb sites built on . Manchester has improved massively in my lifetime. Blackpool has declined.

[@briandoherty3249]

@@5Rays Yeah I agree it could've been done better. Property is booming in Manchester some people are making masses of money but not me.

[@jayrobthorn6847]

Agree absolutely and to be replaced with these modern space age glass and steel eyesores that to me doesn’t look attractive one bit, I myself love Victorian architecture and really upsets me to see this happen, I find it criminal what these parasite developers are doing in our towns and cities.

[@jeffjones9792]

Back in the day, there was less wrecking ball aproach to clearing unwanted structures. Most towns had reclemation yards. Chimney pots, tiles, bricks, roofing wood to doors, and windows were taken down and to the reclamation yards for resale. There was a lot less clearing up, far more recycling going on.

[@bettyprice6316]

It's funny how all these historical hotels in Blackpool have to be demolished as a matter of urgency. Old Blackpool is charming and unique .

[@TheGagginferret]

Wow! My parents ran this pub in the mid/late 80’s. There was never a dull moment. So sad to see it being demolished. I have so many memories growing up in this pub.

[@mickharrison9004]

Wonder if you remember Steve Higgins, higgi hanging out in the George and his brother didi dave, big characters lol.

[@mikechudzinski6629]

Totally a shame, they don't build places like they did in the 1890's..

[@naysmith5272]

Interesting to hear a mention of Blackpool Central station.

[@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool]

I mean to do a video dedicated to Central Station.

[@naysmith5272]

@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool That would be great. I was interested when I read an article from Rail Express magazine from June 2018 which briefly covered the fall of Blackpool Central.

[@juneseghni]

aww my first husband proposed to me outside The George.. in 1985 (pub lasted longer than the marriage sadly)

[@theabandonedhunter3604]

Cracking.... great video! I’m not from around the area but from the way your talking and how long this place has been here... it’s going to touch some hearts with this coming down.

[@stevecobham5687]

Please let me know when they start the Norbrek and the Metropole demolition

[@anoshya]

I remember walking from North Shore with my father in the 1960s down Central Drive to watch Blackpool at Bloomfield Rd. a bustling area ..as you mention with Central Station usually packed in Summer thanks

[@mickharrison9004]

Big memories over the years in the George, specially back in 80s me and the lads used to wait for away supporters coming down Central drive to bloomfield Road, Great laughs, and other good times, sad.

[@David80081]

I use to drink in the George back in the 60s ,I now live in Seattle, had many good nights there and good memories.

[@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool]

It was very different back then I'm sure. Had a nice trip to Seattle back in 2015 & visited a few places like the Space Needle, Columbia Tower, Ballard Locks, Boeing factory at Everett and a very snowy Mt Rainier National Park.

[@lucytvlucytv9416]

When they knock these old building down, it should be a stipulation that, at least, the facade, should be replaced as near a replication as possible.

[@stephencrossley5417]

I used to drink in there. I go past it nearly every day. Today I did take a picture of it tho

[@kelvinallen2624]

Sad to see old buildings being demolished. I live in Scarborough and we lose a building every year.

[@deaddave8805]

I found this video after watching that of the Ambassador demolition. I had no idea it had been pulled down until now. Happy memories of drinking in the bar there 25yrs ago. I had done a cabaret show elsewhere and found myself wandering into the George for a late night drink. Being from the Midlands I only ever did a few shows in Blackpool, using the name 'Ian Murray'. We had great fun that night in The George Hotel. Myself, my roadie Gary Staine, aka 'Gazza, The Man That Can' and I believe the barman that looked after us so well was called Steve. I don't think we left the place until the small hours. Fantastic memories but sad to see it now demolished.

[@yvetteaharrison2726]

Funny how, when the council want to build a money maker for themselves, like flats etc, a solid old building like the George can go from a working pub to a danger to the public in a single month don't you think.!

[@ApacheSmash]

A few years ago there was a fire on Central Drive, it resulted in thousands of pounds worth of improvements.

[@paulsurelynotsmith8179]

One my old pubs Mr C ! Shame another winner Stephen sadden hear about the George lots of history there-cheers for update

[@dianewalton1724]

Amazing scenes, what those old walls could have told!! Beautiful building in its day - is this the start of cleaning up Central Drive. Thanks for the video

[@rob5197]

Cleaning up is the right word - - so much of Blackpool is a rundown category - - had people kept building in a good state over the years we would not have so much building work now

[@MrVxrman]

Its always a shame to loose a lovely old building 😔 Good video I enjoyed it 😃🍻👍🏻

The council seem to be knocking down a lot of 'unstable' buildings recently. What is the agenda , and which people are getting the bungs.?

[@christinejackson995]

Very good video keep them coming i love watching them stay safe

[@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool]

Thanks Christine.

[@brantnuttall]

Next door to the Polling station for my constituency and I cycled passed there just today and I never realised it wasn't there. And I used to do the old "bottle trick" too!

[@drtonyhaworth6287]

I used to live on Kent rd through the 60-70-80- 28yrs I was in the area ,on the lifeboat etc...8nyrs on the lifeboat 196 call outs and then treated like shit.....the place is a dump now sadly no longer a family holiday town....sad very sad

[@amandaroberts9407]

Bloody hell I was drinking in there this Feb!!

[@davewilkinson688]

great opening shot with the roof coming down

[@bigcee3338]

Very Sad to see such history swallowed up without as much as a care..

[@noneedtoknow6098]

R.I.P George Hotel !

[@briandoherty3249]

I go past there nearly every day . It's a shame to see this happening and it's a crime to see Blackpool declining so much. I remember Blackpool being like las Vegas when I was a kid . I'm from Manchester and I'm going back very soon.

[@Benjamin3.5]

stay in manny, blackpool is dog shit

[@Tom-852]

Thanks for sharing! When did you first start your channel?

[@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool]

I actually started this channel way back on 2006, but only started vlogging since early July this year. I went from the existing 115 subscribers I had then to whatever I have now in 3 months!

[@Tom-852]

A Walk on the Wild Side That’s amazing mate.

[@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool]

@@Tom-852 Thanks. It was also a personal account under my own name, which I had to change to a brand account so I could monetise it. I applied for Google Adsense over two years ago, but that was for my other channel "Starman", which even after almost 3 years has not been monetised yet, but I'm working on it.

[@Tom-852]

A Walk on the Wild Side I’ve just subscribed to your other channel! Would you link your other channel in the description ?

[@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool]

@@Tom-852 I think I should promote it on here. It's only short on watch hours and that is why it isn't monetised. I need 4000, and I've 750 to go on that channel.

[@lizette-francinefenton1083]

Times of change, will look so empty without The George 😱

[@jacquiquinn997]

Quite sad. Like you say all the history now gone. The things that went on within those walls. Lots of laughter and life discussed.

[@uk-martin4905]

No water sprinklers to reduce the dust in Central Drive then! Different standards must apply in this part of the town......... It was, though, more satisfying to watch this demolition than the rather gentle, refined prodding and poking that is taking place at the former Wilkcos' store. When the job's finished, there's plenty more they can tackle on Central Drive before they go home. Shame to lose another imposing Victorian building.

[@uk-martin4905]

@@Tolpuddle581 I assume that kind of thing is looked into and taken into account by the contractors, then a plan is agreed with the authorities before the work starts. I may be assuming wrongly, of course.

[@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool]

@@uk-martin4905 I'm sure they would check for any first, then remove it before demolition.

[@uk-martin4905]

@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool A London office I worked at had asbestos removed from the 'gents' loos. The contractors put the asbestos in waste sacks which were then left in a busy corridor for a week - open - until someone realised what was in them.

[@catherinesummers5057]

I painted the 2 framed pictures behind Ibbeson Court The frames were disintegrating but they were repaired...

[@buddauk65]

That was my local when I lived on Belmont Ave and it was my foster dads local to when I was a kid

[@brianhiggins3090]

Great video pity about the pub and all it's history, this seems to be the case all over the country, it's very sad to see.

[@Wriggs74]

It is so sad to see all these lovely red brick building being knocked down.

[@richardclatworthy6381]

Where are the water canons to stop the dust? Looks like developer went for cheapest quote with demolition company

[@DeanPorterEsq]

Do you know whether their are plans for the land the George is currently on? I g it my Banjo command a few other musical and from the Sragebox across the road from their.

[@adriancranidge3774]

nice video mate

[@pingpong5000]

It is heartbreaking to watch the vandalism committed by Blackpool council over the decades in the name of progress. Let me see when most of these old buiding were built Blackpool was a famous and popular family resort, they have managed to progress that away and now we are left with an awful empty town I avoid as much as possible, I loved it in the 50's and 60's It Thrived!

[@adrianoclincho1852]

Sad to see the George getting knocked down It was my local 30 years ago that slate roof was worth saving what a waste

[@christinepage1264]

Great to see thanks 👍

[@kleverkloggs]

So this is the site of The Revoe Inn ? When rebuilt as The George Hotel - there were several nearby brick fields - do you think the bricks were made locally ?

[@carolcostello6792]

MORE OF HISTORY DESTROYED..THIS IS INTENTIONAL.

[@cdub5033]

It's pretty assured this is better built than any ugly new build they throw up on this site next.

[@davidgilbert5779]

One good thing it won't be changed into a Kurdish barber shop about 200 of them everywhere in Blackpool. Had some amazing times in there with the boys met one of my best mate's in there playing pool and having a good crack with the locals I will miss the place very much it's been a PLEASURE 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@heene]

Is Ardsley House still there? I had a few holidays there. I think it was called that, in Central Drive at the end of the road leading up from the central pier. Cheap and cheerful and a nice woman there.

[@andyt8216]

It looks the nicest building on that part of the street and yet it's the one being knocked down :( Oh Blackpool! If there had been the will (and the money) I am sure they could have kept the historic façade and built the apartments behind it.

[@zerowski]

That's a shame....lovely building!!

[@MrMrsoggys]

It’s a sin to lose buildings like these.

[@carbonsiliconnn]

Probably about £8k worth of vintage slate tiles just went down the tubes with one chewof the claw of doom

[@christinejackson995]

Hahaha i like the bit about taking bottles in for money my husband used do that back in the day so funny x

[@alilindsay4304]

Aww xx another classic building gone

[@larrywardell2459]

I'm not an expert here, but why hasn't the local Council insisted on "water spray dust capture" on this site, especially as it is so close to other businesses & houses??

[@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool]

I don't know, but I bet if it was a more upmarket area they definitely would have had a water spray.

[@larrywardell2459]

@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool I think you've hit the nail on the head there !!!

[@docherty53]

I also remember you letting off an air bomb repeater behind there...lol...Happy memories Steve....great video

[@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool]

Ta pal. Those were great times 👍

[@purplesunflower8242]

Airbomb repeater takes me back!!

[@5tanne5on5ea]

Does anyone remember " The Ibbison Street Mob" from the 1950's?

[@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool]

Before my time that. I do know the area quite well though because I used to hang around Ibbison Court in my younger years.

[@STARDRIVE]

I guess the structural problems were so severe, that removing the scaffolding was deemed too dangerous?

[@andyt8216]

Good point!

[@alanfewster4034]

Real shame about this,had some good times in that pub over the years on my jaunts to Blackpool

[@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool]

It's always been a prominent landmark. There will be nothing to replace it either, just a car park, probably.

[@alanfewster4034]

@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool Hopefully somebody will come up with something to fill the void so to speak

[@juliepownall2000]

Excellent demolition company

[@johnrobertson8263]

So sad this mate

[@markleigh3]

Pherhaps someone should give the council structural problems

[@MrDanny23m]

I thought the George was a listed building

[@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool]

It was known as 'locally listed', but that wasn't enough to stop this demolition.

[@davidrichardson3894]

@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool it was listed listed for demolition

[@peterivory2037]

Not so much listed as "Listing"...hence the reason for demolishing

[@carolecarr1064]

In the 50's you could buy baked potatoes and roasted chestnuts outside of Central Station.

[@JH-ht2me]

Wonder what an HSE inspector would think of the Demolition techniques with no dust suppression?

[@trudilouise9368]

The second floor was dangerous, not the weight bearing first floor? I thought you were supposed to remove the windows before demolishing buildings? Were they stopped as being flagged as amateurs? The council wants to demolish most of the area? Hmmm.

[@judithbateson6353]

Very sad.

[@bettyprice9013]

Very sad to see.

[@nom843]

disgraceful....no way was it that dangerous it had to be torn down...more like money talks.

[@anthonyfeeney1210]

Have a Bass

[@barrytipton1179]

Did u loose count how many years ago u pinched bottles

[@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool]

Pretty much.

[@peterkinsey6407]

Where is the health and safety ,all that dust flying round

[@purplesunflower8242]

Another one bites the dust😥

[@loftyskies123]

council should get rid of part of tyldsley rd aswell as central drive ,theres another rd cant remember what its name is but that could do with a few bulldozers .

[@loftyskies123]

@Aaron c wouldnt go that far besides ive nowhere to hide lol i love the old place . but its it need of a facelift , nobody wants to see the grimey looking back streets especially so close to the prom .they need to be attracting more people here but its not happening . it wasnt so long ago when we were supposed to be having big named bands playing here and that would bring the cash in , that never happened . we'll end up like morecambe bloody dead .

[@jimmydickson8854]

No water suppression used here

[@sheilasmedley6635]

anyone know were Leroy/ stephen is ?? just a couple of mins live leþ us know that it ok

[@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool]

Nobody knows where Leroy is I'm afraid.

[@X-GamerPro-HD]

Wheee is this at???

[@X-GamerPro-HD]

It still was a good lookin building to be standing since 1890. They could of just made it stinger. What’s wrong with that? 😢 rip george hotel....

[@neilvernon1606]

wont be the last to go

[@laincathy]

moor like a backhander what a lovely building just like central train station and track another fck up by the doggy council

[@juliepownall1063]

Wow

[@anthonyfeeney1210]

New. Oot. New

[@paulfisher7911]

another back hander probably

[@derrickjones7888]

roland rats slags blackpool off again

[@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool]

You must be easily offended if you think my comment "This area has seen better days" is slagging off Blackpool. Thanks for the Roland Rat compliment. I was a big rat fan.

[@derrickjones7888]

@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool its no compliment

[@johnrobertson8263]

Any mementos remain of here

[@bytemarc8550]

Good riddance, has been full of undesirables for years. Hopefully more of Central Drive will be demolished, the place is a hole.

[@lindametcalfe728]

One place less to sell drugs

[@davids8449]

The British as Nation is finished and has been for quite some time

[@adamberrisford7955]

Is that coz of covid19