Blackpool to fold up seaside deckchairs

Last updated at 08:23 17 May 2004


For thousands of families they are an essential part of a day out at Britain's biggest seaside resort.

Since 1914, Blackpool's deckchairs have been the best spot for watching the world go by. But their future is under threat as tourism bosses want the town to move upmarket.

'It's time we got rid of this reminder of a cloth cap image,' said Lynn Cole, chairman of Blackpool Tourism Forum.

'We should scrap the deckchairs and if they have to be replaced, do so with something modern. These chairs had their day in the 1950s and 60s.'

In one day in August 1957, 66,580 deckchairs were hired out on Blackpool beach. The council even had a busy deckchair 'hospital' for repairs.

But, like the numbers of visitors to the resort, the chairs have dwindled and now the council has just 7,000 for hire at £1 a day with a 50p deposit.

A sign that the deckchair had fallen out of favour came in 1997 when the council shipped in 100 plastic sunloungers for younger visitors.

The latest step is part of a wider plan to bring Blackpool upmarket. 'We have a masterplan for rejuvenation and the next phase of seafront works is where the deckchairs are hired out,' said Mrs Cole.

But taking away the deckchairs would be a step too far for some. Steven Howarth, 42, a Blackpool historian, said: 'Deckchairs are part our of seaside heritage and should not be abandoned because of some social and cultural snobbery.'

Yesterday, the chairs were in demand as temperatures hit 72f (22c).

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