How seaside town near Manchester could avoid 'on its knees' curse

Morecambe, a town that has retained much of its original charm since its heyday, may be on the verge of a revival. Brucciani's cafe, which opened as a milk bar in the 1930s, remains almost unchanged, evoking nostalgia for the bygone era of bustling seaside resorts. However, the glory days of throngs of holidaymakers have been absent for some time. Yet, as the sun cast its warm rays on the seafront this week, one could be forgiven for thinking that the vibrant times had returned. And now, the long-awaited Eden Project Morecambe may finally turn this dream into a reality.

All eyes are on the seafront as hotels, businesses, and B&Bs eagerly await the commencement of work on the highly anticipated Eden Project. However, concerns linger about the town's preparedness to accommodate what will become one of the UK's premier tourist attractions. The recent listing of the 30-bedroom Morecambe Bay Hotel for sale has raised alarms among local officials, including one Lancaster city councillor who stressed the importance of preserving hotel space for the town's future development.

The Morecambe Bay Hotel, situated along Marine Road Central alongside other prominent hotels like The Lothersdale and Auckland, is now on the market. Sales information from estate agents indicates that the hotel could continue its operations or potentially be converted into flats or homes, pending planning approval. With an asking price of £750,000, the property could fetch up to £1 million, according to estate agents. To gauge public opinion on hotels and housing, the Local Democracy Reporting Service spoke to individuals on the promenade.

John and Frances Heyes from Bury, Greater Manchester, who occasionally visit Morecambe and other seaside towns like