Contrasts of Morecambe’s West End highlighted as £20m regeneration scheme begins
Locals in the seaside town’s historic West End have highlighted what they see as the area’s strengths and weaknesses are
It used to be known as Morecambe’s ‘best end’. And locals in the seaside town’s historic West End have highlighted what they see as the area’s strengths and weaknesses as a new £20m regeneration scheme gets under way.
Tackling empty shops and flats – and forcing property owners to fix buildings – are key challenges, residents say. Fly-tipping, litter and the need for more children’s amenities are also often mentioned.
But despite the problems, many also say the West End has great opportunities with a strong community spirit, a conservation area, tourism and a prime location overlooking Morecambe Bay.
The West End arose in the Victorian era with the railways. But today, times have changed and the area has been allocated £20m from the government’s Pride In Place fund. Phased over 10 years, it aims to empower local people to tackle empty buildings and boost the local economy, public spaces and community amenities.
Speaking on West End Road, Martin Barnett said: “I’ve not heard about this new £20m government fund but I do hope local people are involved. That’s important.
“On a good day, Morecambe can still be busy. But there’s very little investment happening in the West End. Yet it is distinct with its own life, pubs and businesses. And there is some beautiful architecture. My wife and I have some properties here.
“But there is also fly-tipping and local people appear to be doing it. I don’t understand why. So some of this £20m should be spent on smartening-up the West End. People need to take care of the area. Also, a lot of HMOs homes of multiple occupancy have been cleared-out and issues like drugs have been tackled. But that work must keep going.
“There are empty properties – but there’s also a severe shortage of homes generally. The government is pushing for new homes and many will likely be large, out-of-town family homes. But many people want smaller properties in towns. So the West End should be ideal.”
Regarding tourism, he said: “The West End was buzzing 30 years ago but has slowly declined. Yet it can still be very busy and there can be shortage of parking spaces. So parking and transport need looking at. Also there’s a lack of modern holiday accommodation. So I hope any new development, perhaps at Frontierland, addresses that.”
More widely, Morecambe is seeing changes including the Eden Project and Lancaster City Council hopes to announce news soon about regenerating the former Frontierland theme park site, which has been vacant for years.
That’s important to Kathleen Horner, who said: “The empty Frontierland site is a disgrace. Some people think a children’s play park should be built there or a car park for visitors. But definitely not shops.
“I’ve lived in the West End for 30 years. It’s not really a holiday place any more, which is a shame. But I’d spend some of this £20m on attractions for children. There’s not much for children in Morecambe, compared with other seaside towns.”
On the state of buildings, she said: “I live in a housing association flat which is well looked-after. But it would be good to see more investment in privately-owned houses. However, there are one or two buildings with work being done, which is good.”
Leah Smart, manager of the Wellington Bar, said: “There is actually quite good trade in the West End. We get locals and visitors regularly. And the owner of this pub has opened another bar nearby, which is working well. But there’s also a lot of boarded-up properties in some streets.
“Regarding Frontierland, I’m not sure what would be best. Some shops could be good or maybe something for children – an updated theme park?”
Aram Abdul Rahman, visiting a shop nearby, said: “Old buildings here need to be made attractive. Morecambe is supposed to be a place for visitors but there needs to be investment. Other places like Blackpool are busy with fair rides and attractions for children. We need some of that too.
“The West End also needs more restaurants. Visitors ask where can they eat but there aren’t many restaurants. So maybe some of this £20m can help encourage new businesses?
Trish Clarke runs The Lady Cobbler shop on Regent Road. She said: “The promenade here is nice but I think much more could be done with it. We could have some lovely craft fairs to attract visitors. I’ve just been on holiday to Turkey where they had lovely statues along the seafront.”
But she also feels the big issue is empty buildings, especially on Yorkshire Street and Regent Road. She stressed: “The owners should be made to sell these buildings. People on the new Pride In Place board should find out who owns them and bang them to rights.
“However, I also understand the old Alhambra Theatre building is being done-up, bit by bit. And there’s ongoing talk about the old Co-op department store.”
Regarding Frontierland, she said: “That boarded-up plot breaks the town in half. People walk along from either end of Morecambe, reach it and think there’s nothing else beyond. They don’t explore further.”
Marine Road faces Morecambe Bay and Becky West opened The Salty Bean café there seven months ago. She said the café is doing well and the West End is improving.
Her partner is involved in property projects including a nearby church building. The former Battery Hotel has been converted into holiday flats and the old Alhambra is being looked at, she said.
She added: “There have been some huge improvements in this immediate area. A lot of old, untidy shop signs have been removed and businesses are making the fronts look better.
“The West End has loads of potential. We have a beautiful views over the bay to the Lake District mountains. And I don’t see the West End as ‘quiet’. I’ve just had a really busy weekend.
“But I do think Frontierland needs attention. It should be a recreation park where families and the community can get together. I also think the promenade should have more children’s play equipment, maybe pitch-and-put and concerts? Grange-over-Sands has a lot of things on its seafront and maybe some of those ideas could be done here?”
She added: “I also think Lancaster City Council has made quite an effort in the West End. There are new planters on Regent Street and work to regenerate Regent Park. Also, the community spirit here is excellent. Stanleys Community Centre has 1,800 members and they do all sorts of activities.”
The Pride in Place scheme will be run by a local board of volunteers and chaired by Helen Bingley OBE, the former High Sheriff of Lancashire. It has a new office on Brunswick Road and Citizens Advice is involved. Morecambe MP Lizzi Collinge and Lancaster City Council will support it.
Separately, Coun Martin Bottoms, who has a Morecambe regeneration remit at Lancaster City Council, said an update on Frontierland is expected soon.