The Seaside Revival Puzzle : the challenge to rethink our seaside resorts - Paul Doe

What is going on in our seasideresorts? Are they busy reinventing themselves, regenerating old heritageassets, innovating and rethinking beachside attractions, investing ininfrastructure, new hotels, restaurants and independent shops? Or are they in decline,struggling with changing tourist habits, unable to tackle their Victorianassets, watching their town centres shut down and old hotels turn into tinyrented flats?We go on a tour of sixteen of ourEnglish and Welsh resorts, searching for signs of a mooted revival in seasidefortunes. What we find is a puzzle, with each resort responding differently toits situation and search for revival. From the University impact on Aberystwythto the funky shops and art in Margate, the revived Butlins in Bognor Regis, thehome-grown heritage revitalisation of Great Yarmouth, the cafe's ofLittlehampton, the majestic De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, the quirky pier inSouthwold, the Agatha Christie trail in Torquay, the murals of New Brighton andthe oysters of Whitstable, there is a lot going on. Time to tackle the seasiderevival puzzle.