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Seaside rendezvous

Paul Colston asks whether the tide has turned for meeting by the sea?

With the development of large conference centres in our major cities, seaside destinations have been under increasing pressure. Many councils have woken up to the urgent need to invest as big political conferences moved to big city new-build venues. With regeneration plans in Blackpool, belated investment in Brighton and Scarborough, and Bournemouth, maybe the tide is turning for big meetings by the sea. Trust in Bournemouth
Bournemouth’s International Centre has kept investing and reports 10 big events secured up to 2017 worth £8m to the town. They include the Labour Party’s Annual Conference 2013 and the BIC’s head of Conferences, Exhibitions and Events, Clive Tyers, says: “We are also working towards our new status as a Charitable Trust, alongside Bournemouth’s five leisure centre venues and the Pavilion.” The trust launches next month as BH LIVE (BH is the local postcode).

Rollercoaster ride
When the ‘political’ tide receded, Blackpool turned to the not-for-profit sector, showcasing its events packages at London’s Charities and Associations Exhibition.
Director of marketing at Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board, Tony Openshaw, says: “the UK’s Number One beach resort” still has big appeal, albeit the route to secure investment has been like a trip on the Pleasure Beach rollercoaster. Big hotel stock means there is plenty of value to be found for organisers, whom he asks, “to take a fresh look at a regenerated resort”.
Council bosses are bidding to buy Blackpool Tower and the Winter Gardens venue from owners Leisure Parks. Council leader Peter Callow tells CN his officials are “going full tilt” to tie up a £40m deal.
Bringing the landmark venues into the public sector would mean heritage funding could also be accessed. And heritage there is: The Winter Gardens was opened in 1878, to offer a “pleasant lounge, especially desirous during inclement weather”. Openshaw believes the failed bid to bring a major casino complex to Blackpool acted as a call to arms.
Blackpool has invested in shopping centres and an event space on the promenade. More than £100m is being spent on the seafront tramway. The £220m Talbot Gateway project, if realised, would create a new civic and cultural quarter.
Tourism chiefs are targeting two million extra visitors this year to the Golden Mile, including 38,000 conference delegates.

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