If you have any questions, e-mail them to questions at morecambe.co.uk and we will print them below.We would like to say a BIG thank you to Jan Lyons and Jim Trottman at the Morecambe Tourist Information Centre for their time and help with some of these replies.
Morecambe Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01524 582816
Q.
I am currently in Upper Sixth at Queen Elizabeth School, Kirkby Lonsdale and for my A- level Coursework I am researching into what impact the coming of the railways had on tourism. This will include looking at how this town generated finance before tourism and was there any before the railways, what changes the railway brought about and finally (and most important)were there any other contributing factors to the increase in popularity for Morecambe as a seaside resort?
Thank you
Sarah Keltie
A.
Dear Miss Keltie
Thank you for your letter regarding the early days of Morecambe as a resort. I am pleased to be able to answer some of the questions you have raised in your letter of 7th November, but suggest that you find a copy of "The Little North Western" which outlines the railway history of Morecambe and Lancaster. In addition, I suggest you contact Lynne Wilman at the Reference Section of Morecambe Library, as she has a wealth of information on the resort.From my knowledge of the area, Morecambe grew from a collection of small fishing and farming villages which had existed up until the arrival of the railways. Heysham Village was an ancient settlement and closer to the present site of Morecambe, Poulton Village had been established long before the railways.
In the 1840s, the original plan had been to link a Stone Jetty to Lancaster by canal. Glasson Dock had been built as an out-port to Lancaster but had become inadequate due to the growth in the size of shipping. Therefore, the original idea was to build a jetty to the deep channel in Morecambe Bay and to transport goods from that jetty to Lancaster by canal. By the 1840s, railways were replacing canals and the Stone Jetty was linked to Lancaster by railway and by 1850 Morecambe had direct rail links to West Yorkshire. Due to the harbour facilities that grew up at Morecambe, with the Stone Jetty and adjacent wooden jetty, and the construction of the Northumberland Street railway station in 1851, other buildings including hotels sprang up in the central area.
With the increase in industrial holidays during the last half of the 19th century and the spread of cheap rail transport, holiday accommodation grew in Morecambe. Many of the buildings in central Morecambe and the West End date from the late 19th century as a result. In many ways seaside resorts replaced the spa attractions which had been popular during the 18th century but which were less available to the working class.
I hope that this information is of some use to you.
Yours sincerely
Jim Trotman
Principal Tourism Officer
Q.
What's is available for the young and young at heart in Morecambe and what type of attractions are available?A.
In your message you asked about the plans for targeting 10-18 year old visitors to Morecambe. We have looked at our markets very carefully over the last few years and we now target the young families (30 plus with young children ie 2-12 year olds) and the 50 plus markets. We see the 15-25 year old visitors heading to resorts like Blackpool and to overseas destinations like Ibiza. The teens and young adults are more interested in the beaches, sunshine, pubs and clubs and we are not really aiming for that market but are seeking to promote our strengths, ie the unique position of Morecambe on the second most important bay for wildlife in the country (the third most important wildlife bay in Europe) and the resort's proximity to historic Lancaster, the Lake District and the Lune Valley.
Research has shown that over 80% of our visitors now come by car and * of the staying visitors stay in self-catering establishments (predominantly holiday flats and caravans). These visitors will spend a couple of days in the resort and will then explore the district and go further afield to destinations like Windermere. Along the promenade, 3 play areas now exist and these are aimed at the 2-12 year old age groups. Consideration is being given to an additional play area for this age group. Although the water quality in Morecambe Bay is variable, and we do not have blue flags as yet, the beach near the Midland Hotel is now sandy and attractive at low tide. Also located close to the Midland Hotel is the Arena Leisure site with swingboat rides, go-karts, radio controlled boats and road train rides which can be used by all age groups. In addition, there are pony rides on the beach during the summer. As only a small portion of Frontierland now remains, a temporary fairground has been allowed on the Arena site from Easter through the May Bank Holiday period and it is likely that a fairground will be located on the former Bubbles site once demolition has been completed. This should be operational by July 2001. During the whole of the summer season, the RSPB have developed a programme of events aimed at the younger children and this helps to involve children with bird watching, mud sampling, artwork etc.
In addition, Morecambe has the Apollo Cinema, the ten pin bowling at Superbowl and the laser games at Megazone. In nearby Lancaster, the children would certainly enjoy a visit to Lancaster Castle, with its dungeons, to Williamson Park with the Butterfly House and possibly to any of the four museums within the City.
Many of the hotels in the eastern end of Morecambe are doing well with coach parties and many of our 50 plus age group visitors come to Morecambe for second or third holidays and short breaks.
Many of our residents remember Morecambe as it was some 30 years ago but part of our task is to explain that Morecambe needs to look forward and to attract new markets and that it is not possible to return the resort to providing the same type of attractions that were provided in the past and which declined because of increasingly world wide competition. For 2002, we hope to see a quality destination shopping attraction on the former Frontierland site with some rides remaining for the younger children to enjoy while their parents or grandparents enjoy the shopping. Other major development sites remain for sale and the City Council is keen to attract quality, all-weather attractions rather than "cheap and cheerful" attractions that would only operate in the summer months.
I hope that this information is of use to you.
Yours sincerely
Jim Trotman
Principal Tourism Officer
Q. can anyone answer this :
THE CLOCK TOWER DATES FROM ____, AND WAS A GIFT FROM WHO????
Phil -LA3
Q.
What is the situation with pollution in Morecambe Bay?Kirsten Henriksen, - Lancaster - e-mail : kirsten@henriksen57.freeserve.co.uk
A.
The Bay is one of the most pollution free in the country and more than passes the European guidelines for safety. So put on your bathing costume and go for a dip. Bye the way should your a skin turn a funny colour or you end up in hospital with stomach ache, don't blame me!... only joking!
Q.
I am writing an assignment on the decline in seaside resorts in Great Britain.Do you feel that the "bucket and spade experience" (J Ezard, The Guardian, May 1999) is at an end? If so what do you feel is the future for coastal resorts such as Morecambe?
from Rebecca E L Smith, York - e-mail : r-smith5@ucrysj.ac.uk
A.
I don't know about you but I personally love going to the beach and bulding sand Castles and burying my son so he can't move or letting him trip me up in the sea. It's relaxing, it's escapism and it's great fun.There are still a lot of people who don't like flying or going abroad for their holidays but still enjoy the experience of paddling in the sea and feeling the sand between your toes or taking quiet stroll down the promenade.
For the 18 to 30's I suppose the glamour of the steamy night clubs like Amnesia, Cream and so on. where you go out with three things on your mind: Lot's of fun, Lot's of Drink and Lot's of Sex (Safe hopefully but probably not!).
Because it is less likely you will bump into someone you know abroad, you tend to be less inhibited, so anything goes. Beaches in Spain are full of women who can't wait to take their tops off, where in Morecambe you may find the odd one, but well surrounded by wind breakers so no-one can see! The old folk might find topless bathing offensive, well some of the ladies anyway, I can't imagine the Grandads complaining.
Morecambe like plenty of other resorts can no longer simply rely on a beach as the main attraction. So events throughout the season are arranged to entice people to visit and strengthen tourism. Attractions like Frontierland, Bubbles, Megazone and the tribute statue to Eric Morecambe all help to bring people to the town,, again and again!
Times are changing all the time, people expect more out of life than ever before and rightfully so, it's harder now to earn a living and keep a sense of direction than ever before. Morecambe as any other resort must be prepared to adapt and change as necessary to ensure a prosperous future.
A poem made specially for you Rebecca, written by me just now:
As long as there are beaches with spectacular views,
as long as there are attractions with long enough queues,
as long as there are people with time on their hands,
they'll take a bucket and spade and head for the sands.
Q.
Are the illuminations still shining bright in MorecambeA.No but there's much, much more
Q.
Where is the Statue of Eric Morecambe
Q.
Do you have any information on the famous Morecambe Bay walk, I can't find out about at all. Linda Moltu, - Crewe, UKA.The Famous Walk across Morecambe Bay
Q.
I am researching tourism development at Morecambe for my G.N.V.Q. What i would like to know is the role of the public and private sector i.e how they encourage the development, funding, marketing and promotion, planning constructing.A.
Morecambe Tourism working together with Lancaster City Council, play an integral part of generating new tourists and holding on to existing ones, so that they will return again and again.The new promenade is a classic example of careful planning, finance and a keen eye on the future, to ensure tourism in Morecambe is at a permanent high.
Funding of such projects require dedicated fund raises, highly paid and highly talented individuals who are worth there wait in gold!.
Marketing is another area where experience and no how are all important. professionals know where to advertise, whether it is press, radio, television, bill boards etc. There is an annual budget for such projects and it has to be spent very carefully, making sure that promotions are monitored for response and profitability.
The Bradford to Morecambe historic vehicle run in September is a massive public relations opportunity and both the marketing and PR departments make the most of it.
Obviously Lancaster City Council realise that Tourism is a multi-million pound industry and without it, unemployment would be at an unbelievable level.
Think about it... Tourists stay in guest houses, hotels, caravans etc, the accommodation needs to be maintained on an annual basis: plumbers, roofers, electricians, decorators, these people require transport, parts and materials. New attractions have to be built etc., it's a vicious circle with everyone feeding of each other. If the first link in the chain is removed (the tourists) the chain brakes and many thousands of people will be either out of a job or struggling badly and may have to leave the area to find work.
Attractions like Frontier Land, Megazone, Bubbles, Apollo Cinema etc benefit from the the millions of visitors each year. They support Morecambe tourism in a big way by taking up advertising space in the many publications promoting the town. They also sponsor various events which are all geared to bringing more tourists.
For further information contact Tourist Information on 01524 582816
More Tech info re above Figures and Strategy for Tourism
Q.
I am writing to enquire about morecambe's twin town in France (if it has one)I am currently studying for a degree in French and management at Leeds (but come from morecambe) and have to choose where i would like to spend my year abroad in France next year. I thought it would be interesting to see where morecambe is twinned with.
thanks for your time
Mary BellwoodA.
Morecambe is governed by Lancaster City Council and as the two are so close together they share the same Twin town in France called PerpignanI hope this is of use!
Q.
Is the Project for the Keermouth / Morecambe reservoir going ahead?From Katherine Grose
A.
NO... As yet the project has not yet been put into action and as far as I'm aware, has been put on hold for the forceable future!For further information on this matter Ring
Mr J. Keens Planning Officer on 01524 582337
