Lights out for some Blackpool Illuminations
Page last updated at 12:08 GMT, Monday, 31 January 2011
The welcome arch will be moved north to the Solaris Centre
The vice president of Stay Blackpool doesn't think the scaling back of the Illuminations will impact on visitor numbers to the town.
As part of Blackpool Council's £27m budget cuts, the world renowned light display will be shortened.
The Illuminations will begin at the Solaris Centre rather than the traditional start at Stargate.
Ms Mansell said: "Although we are disappointed, I'm sure it won't really affect the numbers coming."
The owner of the Bamford Hotel on York Street in the resort, as well as her role with Stay Blackpool, said the area between Stargate and the Solaris was "only a small section" made up mainly of private houses.
'The lifeblood'
And she is confident Blackpool will still have a good season despite the reduction to the display. "We have a great offering for this coming season with new attractions opening such as Madame Tussards, Nickelodeon Land and Merlin pushing their plans forward for the Tower."
She continued: "We hope that this is the last cut to the Illuminations budget, though... tourism is the life blood of the town and they must keep investing in bringing in the visitors."
The Carn Brae Hotel on New South Promenade is in the section of the lights which will go under the cuts. Manager of the 34 room hotel, Ken Hoskins, also agrees it won't impact on tourism.
"Even though the area to be cut is just outside my hotel I don't think it will make any difference to us," he said.
"This won't stop people coming."
Conservative leader of Blackpool Council Peter Callow announced the welcome arch will be moved up from Stargate to the area around the Solaris Centre on Friday, as well as 750 job cuts, the loss of police community support officers and the closure of two libraries.
Mr Callow said: "There are just a few hotels before the Solaris Centre... and the Illuminations will continue all the way up to Red Bank Road in Bispham as usual."
Despite the cuts and storm damage to the tableux in November, he also doesn't think the lights will lose their shine.
He added: "Laurence Llewelyn Bowen, who is helping us with this, is quite satisfied that we can do a fantastic job probably cheaper than normal so this is what we are doing."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/lancashire/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9382000/9382115.stm
somebody tell me im fucking cracking up will yer please... what with all that falilc symbology and astrological references n all that shit
fuck... that would mean a journey through the (or into ?) illuminations (usually a coach(ed) trip) symbolises a journey THROUGH a stargate ?
i know blackpool is a hole... but a black hole ?
holy fuck !!!
hehehe
lmfao
