A TikTok creator named Phil decided to visit Blackpool on a summer’s day to see what it was really like – and he was left shocked by what he found in the seaside town
We’re all aware that Blackpool has quite a controversial reputation. The renowned seaside destination has been attracting holidaymakers for decades – but many believe it has lost its charm recent years.
It initially saw a tourist explosion in the late 1800s and quickly became celebrated for its legendary Tower, Pleasure Beach Resort, Tower Ballroom, three magnificent piers, and expansive beaches. However, visitor numbers have dropped over the years, forcing some establishments to close their doors.
This decline has prompted some to brand Blackpool the ‘worst seaside town’ in Britain – but is this judgement truly justified? A TikTok content creator called Phil set out to discover the truth.
Phil, who’s known for documenting his travels to locations across the UK, chose to explore Blackpool on a summer’s day to witness what it was truly like.
He swiftly shared his conclusion at the start of the video – informing his audience that the town is in need of rescuing.
Phil said: “The Las Vegas of Britain – don’t laugh. Blackpool takes a lot of flak and is in trouble. But any town with a water park and a casino in the same building is surely worth saving.”
Phil travelled to Blackpool to see if it’s as bad as people make out – and wanted others to be aware that there are actually a lot of fun things to do there.
The social media personality wrote alongside his brief footage: “An Iconic Town with an Iconic Problem. It was the most fun town in the UK and is now the most deprived… but why.”
Phil quickly discovered the resort was packed with bustling pubs, three piers, coastal attractions and amusement arcades.
Down on the sands, he also highlighted the donkey ride experiences, plus horse and cart trips that were on offer along the streets.
Phil made another striking observation – the seafront was remarkably deserted considering the season. This meant no battling for deckchairs or prime spots on the beach.
He commented: “I was too busy being shocked at how quiet the town was. This was August, the middle of the school holidays and the weather was okay. And there was hardly anyone here.”
Following a chat with local beach patrol, he learnt visitor numbers surge during heatwaves. Yet on his visit, the expansive shoreline hosted merely a handful of people despite the pleasant sunshine.
After his unsuccessful attempt to access the iconic Blackpool Tower due to lift maintenance, he chose instead to showcase the available tourist hotspots.
Among these were Madame Tussauds, the Gruffalo Clubhouse and the Blackpool Tower Dungeon, which had recently changed ownership.
However, there weren’t really many people on the beach or at any of these attractions. Instead, he seem to find all the locals in Maccies. Phil added: “The only truly busy spot was McDonalds.”
Phil believes some international marketing could do Blackpool the world of good – as it may draw in foreign tourists who are willing to spend money. This will drum up business and boost the local economy.
He said: “Here’s the problem, […] Blackpool does attract tourists through the year, but not the right ones; not overseas tourists. They are the ones who really spend money. Talk to Salisbury, York, Stratford, Bath, and the Lake District.”
Looking ahead, Phil is hopeful that people will begin to see the Lancashire resort as a brilliant holiday spot again. After all, it boasts all the “touristy stuff” that visitors flock to the seaside for.
Discussing the heartbreaking deterioration of the region, Phil added: “This is the same for a lot of seaside towns, but because Blackpool was the biggest and the best, it has fallen the hardest.”
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