'Rundown' UK seaside town dealt major blow as iconic attraction goes up for sale

A 'rundown' seaside town has been thrown into the limelight as one of its most historic landmarks has gone on the market. Once referred to as the 'King' of the UK coast, Blackpool's reputation has plummeted into the gutter in recent years - with holidaymakers branding the area 'scruffy' and 'untidy'.

On TripAdvisor, visitors have critiqued the town's 'tired' seafront, boarded-up shops, and 'drunken gangs' loitering in the streets. Last month, Blackpool came sixth-to-last in Which?'s league tables* for the best seaside towns in the country, scoring a measly 48 per cent overall destination score.

Members of the consumer brand gave the town just one star for its 'scenery' and shopping options, while its beach, seafront/ pier, and food and drink offerings received a still-poor two-star rating.

In another huge blow to the resort, its renowned North Pier - located just a stone's throw from the iconic Blackpool Tower - has gone up for sale. The Grade II-listed structure, which opened back in 1863, was bought in 2011 by the Sedgwick family, who also own the town's other two piers.

However, the owners have decided with a 'heavy heart' that they are choosing to 'focus' their attention on their wider portfolio, and are looking for 'sensible offers' for the Victorian pier. "It retains its Victorian grandeur and traditionally characterised construction with a wooden deck above a substructure of cast iron girders, cross members and screw piles, providing a significant footprint of circa 13,500 m2," said Avison Young, the estate agents selling the pier.

"The pier's promenade deck is lined with wooden benches with ornamental cast iron backs. At intervals along the pier are hexagonal kiosks built around 1900 in wood and glass with minaret roofs topped with decorative finials."

All of the equipment and machines, including an arcade, theatre and bar, are included with the sale. It is believed the pier generates a total income of around £2.3 million per year.

Despite Blackpool's struggling reputation, it's clear the resort is still a firm favourite amongst Brits. 2023 figures showing the town attracted a whopping 21.5 million tourists, a six per cent spike compared to the year before.

As previously reported, Blackpool is also undergoing a huge regeneration thanks to a long-term initiative called the Talbot Gateway Development. The £350 million fund, led by Blackpool Council and Muse, aims to redevelop the area around Blackpool North train station in order to bring over 8,000 workers and students into Blackpool town centre and create more jobs and opportunities for local people. You can learn more about the investment here.

*Which?'s results are based on an online survey of 8,952 experiences from 3,872 Which? Connect panel members conducted between January and March, 2025.

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