| Blackpool Attractions in B/W from the 1970s-1980s |
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The Solarium in 1981.
This "attraction" had seen better days and was too far south to be a popular stopping
off place. |
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A cafe still does business amongst the more elderley
visitors who frequent the quieter hotels along the southern Promenade.
Below: South Shore Baths in 1981. The open-air attraction was not faring well. |
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They don't make folks as hardy as they were tha knows... The site was destined to be flattened and replaced with the equally unpopular, but far more costly Sandcastle. |
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The Tower and Promenade as seen from the North Pier in 1982. Lewis's store competes with the Tower to dominate the scene with its honeycombed but
otherwise featureless frontage.
There was starting to be concern over the loss of sand from the beach - levels were dropping
meaning that extra steps had to be built down from the sea wall. Accusations were pointed at St Annes for their policy of selling sand which it was thought
might be the cause of tidal movements of sand from Blackpool but this was never proved. |
| Meanwhile, on the pier itself, a member of the pier's staff sets about the important
business of keeping the customers happy by spending a few moments passing the time of day with
two holiday makers. |
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The North Pier has never gone for the brash and colourful commercialism of the
other two piers.
The decking would still be found on sunny days, bestrewn with rows of well-ordered deck chairs
for those who would like to top up the tan for an afternoon!
This would be a more risky venture these days, as a tram runs up and down this part of the
decking, taking to the end of the pier the tired, the lazy and those too excited to go another
moment without yet another ride! |
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The boating lake at South Shore has not been used to any extent for a long time.
In the days of computer games, sailing toy yachts has lost its appeal - if not for small boys
then for parents who feel less inclined to stand and watch.
Ah (he says, having a quick nostalgic moment) many's the time I've raced round such a pond,
holding the mast of a yacht, watching the water spray from the bow... Many's the time I fell
in... |
| Rainford's Jewellers, part of the Metropole Buildings on the Promenade north of
the North Pier.
The photo was taken in 1982. One sign says "Established 90 Years", another says "Established
1899". Work it out... |
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Agh!!! The big yellow "M" appears in Blackpool for the first time!
Right: the Princess Cinema opposite Butlins' Metropole Hotel, the last Cinemascope screen
left in Blackpool, closes its doors in 1982, destined to become another unneccessary market and
then an equally unneccessary nightclub - Blackpool having a glut of both. |
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