It's quite a while since I went down to take photos of the work on the new Promenade. I think the last time I posted photos of the area opposite the Tower was in June last year. At that time they were just driving in the upright sheets of steel as foundations for the steps that will replace the current wall as the first line of sea defences. So today I looked at the sunshine and thought 'I'll take my camera down to town with me and have a walk on the Prom!' I'll tell you what... it may look sunny but it was c-o-l-d!!! And a bit windy - my eyes were constantly streaming with tears (I always get emotional on the sea front...)
As you can see from the photo the opportunity is being taken to reclaim a bit of land back from the sea. The old steps that led directly down onto the beach are on the far side of the yellow Keep Out sign at the left of the photo. The steps are now in place although behind them there is still a lot of work to be done.
So in the future, a high tide at Blackpool may not be much more spectacular than this. The sea washing up a few more steps than it would on a low tide. We'll wait and see. So work continues. Currently the Promenade road is contra-flowed onto the south-running lane in preparation for works on the tram tracks on this section. The Tower is now flanked by two empty Woolworths buildings and we are wondering whether the rents are so high they are prohibitive for any kind of business.
Before the later Woolworths building the site was occupied by Lewis's 1960s building. Previously to that a theatre stood on the site. It would be nice to have a tourist-themed use of the site again, but what would draw enough tourists to warrant the investment these days? Most Blackpool folk would not want anything else that attracts more stag and hen parties...
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