I do enjoy your videos you show the good side of Blackpool and you are not afraid to show the grim side as well Stephen. It really is heartbreaking to see what parts of Blackpool have become. I'm hoping that the people who have had the courage to invest money into Blackpool receive a good return on their investment and hopefully a lot of good years ahead with a LOT of holidaymakers bringing money into the town so the whole of Blackpool can benefit and get it back to somewhere near its heyday because as I have said before Blackpool is a British icon 👍👌

My parents used to bring us up once a year from Devon in the 80's/90's, we loved it, particularly the pleasure beach, pier and tower. Shame that all the negligence of respective governments have allowed this to happen. Its not just Blackpool unfortunately, seaside towns around the country are going downhill.

When the airlines started offering cheap flights in the 1980s Blackpool started going downhill…the weather also is not the best..I did see a notice in a hotel saying No Needles..I,presume it was not knitting needles. I grew up in Blackpool but left 52 years ago..

So run down thanks for update stephen

The trouble is these derelict buildings have zero parking and are surrounded by double yellow lines which makes them unviable as b & B's or convertion to residential flats and although in the olden days they would have been walking distance from central station they are a long way from North station. without car access and parking they are unusable.

Last time I went to Blackpool with my parents "Paint your Wagon" with Lee Marvin & Clint Eastwood was showing at the cinema facing Butlins Metropole.The year was 1971

I thought about having a tattoo at the weekend. But my garden's not big enough and I don't really like bagpipes.

Videos like these make pull my knees up to my chest and rock...

Very telling video Stephen. Did you know Blackpool councillors all voted themselves a big fat pay rise this week? About time they started to earn their money isn't it?

We used to go to Blackpool in the 1960s . Twelve of us used to go regularly for weekends etc. We had some cracking times then , went back a couple of years ago and was sad to see the decline and decay.

I only remember the days when Blackpool shone. Very sad to see these areas. I remember how nicely the landlady’s kept their properties and beautiful home cooked meals Even the illuminations were so much brighter back in the 60s and 70,s At least the beach , fresh air and sea haven’t changed Also the beautiful heritage trams

So much for levelling up

It sure makes you reminisce to another era and how things once were.

I took my children to Blackpool in 1997 ,it was the only place on our trip around the UK , THAT THEY ASKED TO LEAVE ,as it was so dirty and smelly , when we returned to NZ ,they told ALL their friends what a hole it was .

Cheers for your efforts. I love Blackpool and have been visiting several times a year since a kid. Now 51 and visit with my kids. They hate it. What a shame. The people are the weak link. You could spend £Billions, and it would still be worth avoiding. A real shame.

I used to love Blackpool in the 60s and 70s when I was a kid, It’s so run down now it’s such a shame.

Such a shame that the oldest part of Blackpool cannot be preserved. Some of those buildings were beautiful. Foxhall Market would have been thriving years ago. Thanks Stephen😊

Part of Blackpool people don't see. Well done Stephen, great video as usual.

I've lived in Blackpool for 43 years, and I've seen it go from the Jewel in Lancashires crown, to being a first class dump! I spent 11 years in south shore, and over 30 on a housing estate near layton, and south shore has gone down hill.

I haven't checked in for a while but your presentation skills and editing have come on even better than before and it was already good. Keep it up Stephen

Spent a week here in the 80s during the Scottish fortnight in July. Absolutely the best holiday to take my visiting best buddy from Canada to. Ram Jam Inn forever....

I see beauty in the grimness 😃

Other KZfaq channels fail to tell the truth about real life in Blackpool, and the surrounding areas. Perhaps it is because they don't wish to be unpopular with their viewers, or because they are actually blinkered to their surroundings, who knows? Thank goodness Stephen is the one person who we can always rely on to tell it as it is. I've noticed not for the first time that some people only want to know about the bright lights, amusements, candyfloss etc. However, those things are there mainly to cater for the people visiting the town for a day trip or on holiday. Behind all of the attractions there is a beating heart, the real Blackpool, the town where people live, work and many struggle to survive on a daily basis. Yes, there are some really beautiful parts of Blackpool and nearby areas, but the honest truth is that there is a lot of poverty too. The council seems to forget that the people who live in the town should be their priority, never mind spending money where it isn't needed, they should concentrate on helping the local people to get decent housing and to help local businesses to survive. There isn't a town or city in the U.K. without troubled areas, there's no shame in calling councils out for failing to deliver decent accommodation and facilities for the people who live there. If people find the truth too bitter a pill to swallow, then what does that say about them. I think it's great that Stephen has the town's best interest at heart, he is passionate about Blackpool and I hope the powers that be sit up and take notice of the areas he has highlighted. Fantastic video Stephen xxx

That building that you said hadn’t changed in 3 years used to be a cafe. It’s been closed at least 10 years and boarded up for about the last 3 years. It’s rough around there.

My parents would take us up every year also in the 80s/90s for a weekend when the illuminations were on. Go up the tower, pleasure beach, etc. My wife and I took our kids last year. The change is incredible!

We are staying in Blackpool for 3 nights starting 11th July, looking forward to it.

Im living in a delapidated house in Blackpool. The landlord has only ever done 1 repair in the last 11 years. Now the interest rates have gone up he is evicting us so he can sell it. But nobody would buy it for his asking price. It needs 10-20k work doing on it. Meanwhile me, my wife and our 5 children are about to be put in a hostel because we cannot rent due to the size of our family.

What a shame to see the streets of Blackpool looking so unloved. I love Blackpool and hope that someone can do something to resurrect these areas.

I’m from Glasgow and I’m down hear the now I love the place i go a lot of different places but I will always come to Blackpool twice a year. There’s no one better than anyone in this life

In weather like that, my grandmother would say, "Let's go for a walk along the promenade to blow the cobwebs off. She lived in Dover. Thanks for a great vlog 😊

Been to Blackpool a fair few times over the years. As a kid parents drove us down from Scotland (circa 73/74) but hadnt pre booked. We spent all afternoon trying to find a bnb or hotel but all fully booked. We nearly gave up but eventually got put up by a very kind lady in a beautifull cottage in Little Eccelston village just outside town who helped her bnb neighbour across the road occasionally. We ended up going to hers a few times in following years. I remember seeing the black n white minstrel show , Dick Emery and many more . Now its all tribute acts etc as no big stars go there not thats theres any worth seeing nowadays anyway . 70s n 80s prob the last decades of true star entertainment.

My first ever visit to Blackpool was 1974 - my last was Sep 2018 & not been back since, used to visit 2 or 3 times a year down from Glasgow, worked in the old Funland on the Prom before that building went on fire, at that time I lived up near the old Derby baths. You'd never see a single void B&B or shop in the past, not one even in all the back streets. It really is a great shame watching the place decline, so many good memories in the place, that first ever trip to the Pleasure Beach, taking my daughter on the Big1 for the first time, winning daft things on the Crane machines, wondering in and out all the markets as a family, some of the crazy fashions or what everyone wanted, anyone mind the big Emu faze ? they were everywhere lol - those big heart shaped lolly's, polo mints for eyes lol, or the smarties walking sticks. Very sad seeing how the place is now, very sad. Thanks for the tour about. Cheers!

I applaud your truth telling about Blackpool. I still see it through rose-tinted glasses: just after WWII my family would frequently go on day trips from the mill town where we lived. To me as a child Blackpool was a magical place. Even the Woolworth's store by the Tower was alluring. I have often thought of retiring to Blackpool but your depiction of the reality has cooled my enthusiasm for that. 😥.

That's why you called a walk on the wild side because this is the wild side of Blackpool. Thank you for showing all things Blackpool 🙏 🌟 😊

Another good one Stephen. Loving the back street exploring and seeing places we normally wouldn't do.

All that lovely sunny weather we had last month and now look at it July wet and windy 😟,that area need some money spending on it why don't they put the money to use instead of that complex leisure centre

great place blackpool. been there a couple of times. was a giggle 😃

Always a nice buzz when you get off the coach, or parked the car up

1982 Blackpool was Booming, The Foxhall was our fav 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

That Foxhall area is beyond grim, needs bulldozing and starting again unfortunately, as you said, it needs millions spent on it and in theses times of austerity that is just not going to happen it could be welcoming but honestly I don't think a dog would want to walk through there.

As kid growing up in the west Midlands in the 1970s and 80s, I always looked forward to the annual day trips to Blackpool by coach in the summer holidays ,...its was this magical place as a kid , the flashing lights of the arcades, and all the smells , hotdogs, burgers and fish and chips wafting through the warm summer air, ...and candy floss and toffee apples at the pleasure Beach,...the rides , the prospect of going on the beach , all filled me with so much joy and excitement ,...I loved it, ...and even the very first sight of the famous tower itself as we approached Blackpool in the coach gave me so much joy,...only a kid could understand,...yes Blackpool was magical and gave me some great memories, that I will always treasure.....Great times

Thanks again for another informative vlog Stephen you only need to go a couple of streets off the promenade to see how run down parts of Blackpool Blackpool is when i started going to Blackpool nearly 50 years ago all they B&B's were all busy

Once again a great memory lane vid,thank you Stephen 😀

I loved that place in the 70s.

Those apartments could be made lovely....

Great video. My family settled in Blackpool in the 1830s and were quite a well known family for several generations. My parents moved away when they were in their early twenties but I stayed many times as a kid with my grandparents who still lived there and remember going to their shop in Foxhall.

So sad to see lovely buildings go to ruins ty Stephen for another great video 😊 x

I love the seaside. I've gone from regular visits to Blackpool whilst working in the North West to living in Brighton. Huge disparity in investment, but Blackpool has some lovely places and people. Stanley Park and the zoo are definitely worth a visit.

That area needs to be totally redeveloped. The sad thing is that the buildings are owned by landlords. I blame the council for not taking action to compulsory purchase and redevelop or modernize

Hi Stephen really enjoy ur videos. Hopefully more will be done withthis end of blackpool. However appreciate everything you show of blackpool. Looking forward to ride the lights 2023 video. Love all your videos but ride lights 2022 was my favourite.I😊😊😊😊

Hi Stephen thank you for another great video as always yes there's some really bad parts of blackpool but some absolutely amazing parts too such a shame that these buildings are left like it what a waste have a great evening xx

The lights are great,and great fun to be had,cheap and cheerful.xx

That was absolutely fascinating and brilliant 🎉👍🏽

6:27 The Jaggy Thistle Pub saw here. There was a lot of trouble here so nobody was sad when it disappeared.

Thank you very much for your video showing some parts of Blackpool that I have never seen. You are doing a e great job Stephen 👍❤️❤️❤️

Very good. Been to Blackpool many times for a holiday but never saw those backstreets that are all run down. Amazing really.

When I was a child circa 1950's you could get an aircraft ride around the tower. Maybe something from Southport can't quite remember.

Aww how sad that Carlton house belonged to my mum’s friend when I was young & it was kept beautiful & always busy & my auntie & uncle had one further down york st they were always well kept very busy how sad it is now my mum worked at the fox hall working men’s club happy times & memories love your channels thanks for sharing x

I have only been to Blackpool a few times but this is a side to it I haven’t seen before

Thanks for the video Stephen, so sad to see those buildings so run down, they must have looked magnificent in their heydays.🙂

Looks ok to me the sea and wild weather an fun spots

😳 it's shocking, every time I watch your videos, I'm shocked at all of the great buildings going to just rot away,

Hi I really enjoyed watching those buildings need alot of attention such ashame to let them rot. There are so many homeless people who could do with a roof over there heads. It does look very rough on the sea front, what was you saying in that deep funny voice when that blue car passed, I couldn't stop laughing 😂. Anyway thanks for that take care be safe and I'll see you in the next one STAR of Blackpool ❤

Wow didn't know that was so run down 😢😢

I love Blackpool with every part of me, it’s so sad that it’s in this stare though.

Thanks for the lovely videos, keep up the great work buddy 👍

You think the council would do something about it to bring more tourists in great video m8

its always been rundown in places like any town,,,,,

Lovely to rejoin you on a walk from my sofa.

You passed by the Arkwright's shop. I thought I remembered the name. List of Open All Hours characters Wikipedia Albert E. Arkwright (born 1927), played by Ronnie Barker in Open All Hours.

On the bright side it’s getting a lot of investment now and starting to look better with even more stuff to do. Still some absolute doss holes but slowly stuff started to be demolished and rebuilt 🙌🏻

Good video shame when you see buildings and hotels going in this, I remember seeing The Woodley Hotel going like this at North end Blackpool

Good vid. I'm an American from Philly Pa, and I've always found it striking how these places in the north of England are similar to where I grew up. Blackpool is a bit neglected but what you've shown is far from grim. At least all the streets are mostly clean. I heard it was primarily a resort town.

Hey Stephen that CARLTON HOUSE must've been luxurious in its day So sad to see it now What on earth have Blackpool council been doing to let such an iconic seaside town get in such a state And by the looks of it the place has been declining for at least 30 years SCANDALOUS Great vid as always David Cromer 🎉❤️😁👍

Have always wanted to visit Blackpool but living on a farm in Dorset it’s hard to get the time. But thanks for sharing your journey through Blackpool.

Was here today weird that it came in my recommendations

I can't help noticing double yellow lines everywhere . That killed off Blackpool pay and display on the promenade.. To late for future regenerations blame the council

Did you say that it was July? I used to live on Coronation St Blackpool facing Hull Rd. I moved here in 1960, as was five years old then. Unfortunately, Blackpool isn't anything like its former self. When you walked on the Promenade in your video in July, the place looked deserted. In the sixties, the prom was so packed that you would have to walk in the road because there wasn't any room on the footpaths. I got married in 1974, and my job took me away for four years. When the wife and I came back to Blackpool to live and raise our family, we couldn't believe how drastically the place had changed. When the package holidays abroad started, it was cheaper to travel, and the weather was much more predictable, so this took millions away from holidaying in Blackpool. Since then, the town has slowly but surely gone downhill drastically. Will it ever return to its former glory? NEVER. No matter how much money they pump into the redevelopment of the town, it will fail. Sad really to think of it. When central station shut down, that was the beginning of the end of Blackpool. I used to go down to the station and carry the luggage of visitors on my trolly to their hotels. Great memories that I'll never forget.

Hello Steve how are you enjoy your vidio of windy Blackpool and the sea looks wild best wishes take care stay safe xx ❤😊

Doesn't matter how wet, windy and a little weathered Blackpool is, it always has a charm like no other seaside town. I can smell the cotton candy and chips through the screen.

Hi stephen there are bad and good places everywhere hope it gets warmer

I just spent 4 days in Blackpool. Enjoyed it and hotel was good enough, but I did see a lot of derelict empty buildings about. Such a shame this is the state of a lot of streets up and down the country.

Thanks, Steve. Love how you see light through darkness, order in disorder, beauty in decay. We've just switched over to 'Electric Blackpool' on your calendar - what a bangin' snap! 👍 'It's Grim Up North'? Anyone who says that has clearly never been to Sheerness in Kent!

How sad some of these buildings look Stephen, years ago I stayed at a hotel in Tyldesley Rd for the illuminations every year it's sad to see how it's deteriorated, North Pier every year now 😊

It has a large collection of pot holes as well.

I was in Blackpool a few years ago and it was clear it was a town well well past it’s hay day! Its was sadly very run down and a right hole!

I don't think I'd ever like to visit Blackpool ,not the way it looks today .

Whent to Blackpool a couple of weeks ago lovely people but theirs that meany borderd up properties the window cleaner goes round with a sander

Portrush resembles Blackpool in N. Ireland. Amusement park Barry's shut down when I went there. For a "holiday town" all its got was leg breaker casinos (slot machine variety). Both areas very similar as it was a popular holiday town in the 80s.

Very sad to see the state of the town, but as you implied and other comments have mentioned, not a lot seems to have moved on. At the very start of my career in the late 90's (I worked in the beer industry), Blackpool was on my sales territory. Even then, you step one block back from the promenade and there was destitution and dereliction. I loved visiting Blackpool, as the people, and the licensed trade community were like a family. Yes, there was competition for business, but they all knew that they needed to work together once the customers arrived en masse, as the window was short in the summer periods. Now living in East Anglia, the same video could have been made in Yarmouth - again, step away from the "loud" promenade and behind the scenes it is a Godforsaken place! Hope all coastal towns enjoy future, long term investment, rather than the search for a quick buck, as these places need to remain. (Don't get me started on Morecambe!)

Thanks Stephen, another good video. The weather is grim because it is the start of Wigan weeks, the first Saturday in July. My missus mentioned the beard is still there..😂

seems pretty clear to me a small hotel can't survive in blackpool anymore ... such a shame really as a kid we used to holiday every year and mostly stayed in the back streets behind the seafront ...

300 million on an entertainment complex yet it's being built next to an area that probably needs the same amount spending on it? The council in Blackpool should hang their heads in shame. They should level the lot and invest in cheap homes for local people. I'm sure the long term income from the rents would generate more money to the economy than yet another entertainment complex in a town that has many many entertainment venues everywhere. So my question is this. These houses have been like this for YEARS. So what next? Leave them until they collapse in on themselves? I'm sure most are not even owned by landlords anyway. They probably didn't have the money to pay the mortgage in the first place and I suspect alot of the properties will now be owned by the banks that repo'd them. Great video as per Stephen 🖤

Heartbreaking to see the backstreet 's like this , Stephen, foxhall should be a preservation area , great vids as usual.

Great video as usual. I was around that area when you were filming and popped into higgets burger met the chap. People having photos with him. Wish I had seen you to say hi. You do a fantastic job keep it up 👍.

Location is a huge factor, look at properties directly on the prom, constantly needing maintenance, they take a battering from the elements 24/7 (sand, salt, wind, rain)

Such a shame. Somewhere like Blackpool should be snagging the staycation market right now. :/

The local council must be incompetent to say the least.

i like it. it has character

it's all very grim up north