IF any place in the world deserves a chance of genuine redevelopment, it must be New Brighton.
I’ve examined in detail the £75 million plans by Liverpool-based developers Neptune for the seafront of this ultimate faded resort, and I am, frankly, impressed to the point of excitement.
If translated into reality, New Brighton (once the leading resort of Northern England, with a taller tower than Blackpool’s) could get back a good slice of its former glory.
Sadly, progress is being endangered by a bitter and relentless campaign against the plans waged by a bunch of beige cardigan-wearing old misery-guts known as the New Brighton Heritage Group.
The plans were recently subject to an inquiry held at Wallasey Town Hall. A resulting recommendation to say “yeah� or “nay� to the scheme will be made in May.
Regular reader of this blog will know I am an enormous fan of New Brighton, even in its current run-down condition.
In geographical terms alone the resort is a stunner. The prom turns through 90 degrees.
On one side you can watch the great ships go in and out of the Mersey ports and marvel at Liverpool’s skyline. Around the corner, the prom looks out over open sea and there are bracing cliff walks to be had.
Architecturally the resort is stunning. There are fabulously grand villas built years ago by wealthy Liverpool merchants and a magnificent domed basilica which serves as the local Roman Catholic church.
So what is planned by Neptune? A much needed food superstore, small shops, new bars and restaurants, a new marine lake (the old one is silted up), a new pier, a stylish revamp of the tatty Floral Pavilion theatre, a tree-lined boulevard, and an open air lido.
After years of things closing down or falling down or being demolished in New Brighton – the old tower, the tower ballroom, the ferries, the swimming pool, the pier and numerous hotels – here is a chance for wonderful new amenities.
I hope and pray this regeneration goes ahead. I really do.
For all the decades of decay, this resort (which my dad and my auntie Mary used to bring me to more than 40 summers ago) and its quirky inhabitants still have plenty of charm.
The town deserves success and another shot at the happiness and fame that was synonymous with its name in a previous era.
Most sensible people I speak to in New Brighton are in favour of the scheme. So is Wirral Council.
If the project fails to get beyond the drawing board stage now because of a tide of negativity pumped out by the out-of-touch Heritage Group, then that will be a tragedy.
PS Redevelopment is needed urgently, of course, but I hope my local, Hell’s Waiting Room, is spared the lick of paint and refurb mentality.
The Waiting Room (not its real name) is a venerable New Brighton institution. Like a blowsy old slapper, it must be allowed to grow old disgracefully – with me and other reprobates propping up the bar.
I was in there last night, and happened to mention I was hungry. Quick as a flash, Tallulah Swells, the blonde barmaid, produced some Cheshire Cheese, some crackers and some salted cashews (all free of charge) for me and my drinking companion Billy Bustimes.
And as the time tick-tocked its way through to 00.30am Billy and I put the world to rights beneath a lumpy nicotine-stained ceiling that looks like the surface of a faraway planet.
In such surroundings, there can never be talked of regeneration. It would be sacrilege.
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Janetta wrote...
New Brighton is a scruffy old toilet of a place, always has been. Nothing's going to change.
Steve Regan replies: With that sort of defeatist attitude, nothing will ever change. But I'm confident a big improvement really is on the way.
Posted by: Janetta | March 14, 2006 2:36 PM