Competition for Coasts: Blackpool Case Study

Question 1

What instigated the popularity?

Answer 1

18th century- fashionable for the well to do to travel to the seaside during the Summer (questionnaires from the elderly public)

Question 2

Was it a rapid growth?

Answer 2

Blackpool grew only slowly in the early 19th century (Patterns of growth overtime shown via OS maps www.old-maps.co.uk)

Question 3

When did the town become substantial?

Answer 3

First railway was built in 1840, connecting it to the industrial towns of the north (interview with the town mayor)
Amenities in the fast growing town quickly improved (Planning records from Blackpool Central Library)

Question 4

Why did people stop going to Blackpool?

Answer 4

This was due to that fact that the industrial north was in decline
Another reason was because people now could afford cars and could travel to other areas other than Blackpool’s seaside

Question 5

What was the growth rate?

Answer 5

By 1881, it had a population of 14,000 which had risen 147,000 by 1951 but then growth levelled off (Census data from the Office of National Statistics)