| Blackpool's Golden Mile in 1977 |
 |
The Golden Mile in 1977. Ripleys "Believe It or Not" Odditorium occupies a
prime spot housed in a former hotel.
Next door to the north is the Golden Mile Centre, owned by Mr B and destined to be renamed
as "Mr B's". The top floor is taken by an exhibition of Gerry Anderson memorabilia, with
puppets, props and models of Stingray, Supercar, Fireball XL5, Thunderbirds etc.
To the south the original fronts of the buildings are still showing at first floor level
with the Golden Mile looking not unlike itself from 40 years previously. |
 |
This wonderfully grotesque figure appeared on the frontage of what is now Mr Bee's
arcade to advertise the Horror Crypt. The head turned from side to side, glowering at passers-by.
The Town Council were appalled and letters appeared in the Evening Gazette calling for the
figure's removal. "It is not in keeping with the image of the Golden Mile!" was the outcry -
totally ignoring the fact that the brash and over-the-top caricature was exactly the Golden Mile's image.
Never-the-less the operators were forced to remove the figure... |
 |
Left: a full view of the building from the pedestrian bridge over the Promenade roadway.
Right: housed in a stall at the other end of the same building was a display of reproductions
of the Crown Jewels. |
 |
| Until the 1990 many parts of the Golden Mile were anything but golden. Arcades and shops were still housed in ramshackle huts that looked like they could have been the original extensions to the row of houses on the Promenade whose gardens were cleared to become the forerunner of the Golden Mile.
This occurred when the Council tried to clear the beach of salesmen and quack doctors. They succeeded but the business men simply set up shop in the gardens of the Promenade houses and the gardens quickly became worth more in rent than the houses themselves! |
 |
 |
One arcade that has remained open to the present day is the Carousel. They had
a policy in the 1970s of buying larger machines and we used to go in regularly to play a
quick-draw western game where the player strapped on guns and drew against characters in a film
on a large screen. |
 |
Left: a general view of the Golden Mile from the Central Pier. Despite the lack of bright sunshine the beach is filled with visitors.
Right: the same view from a bit further down the pier. The wind has deposited a fair bit of sand at the top of the slope near the sea wall! |
 |
 |
The Devil's Den in front of the Brunswick arcade and Ripley's Odditorium in 1977.
The Golden Mile and the Pleasure Beach have always found it profitable to house exhibits of horror and gore! We have seen the Horror Crypt above and even today you will find similar treats in Blackpool where a startled young lady might seek momentary (or otherwise) comfort in the arms of her escort! |
 |
 |
The late 1970s saw a rapid decrease in the small independant burger stalls. New
Trade Description laws meant that the term "hamburger" had to disappear - as burgers were made
with beef - and "beefburgers" appeared on the menu. The large franchises such as Wimpeys were
taking increased shares of the fast food market and a McDonalds opened in the town centre.
Neither of these firms could compete with the taste of a burger from this stall under the
"Double Bingo" sign. They were fried on a hot griddle and kept warm by being nestled in a pile
of fried onions. Tomato ketchup completed a classic taste. |
|
