IT is impossible to avoid the fact that through a number of contributory factors, the holiday trade in Blackpool has been in decline for some years now, confirmation of which is regularly made by both national and local media.

The evidence is also clearly visible to anyone visiting the now frequently half deserted town centre and surroundings, at time which in previous years have been absolutely packed with people. The effects of this downturn in trade are being suffered in varying degrees by the majority of businesses in town, and indirectly but unavoidably affecting every member of the local community.

This hotel trades on a year-round basis, and as the proprietor for the past ten years, I have been able to provide several dozen local residents with full time employment throughout the year. Obviously, we do most of our trade during the summer season, notwithstanding the blows that our weather tends to deliver, however we also rely on winter business (i.e. between the end of the Illuminations and Easter) to enable us to keep our staff in work. It goes without saying that should the turnover not be feasible, we will close during the winter months and reluctantly have to make our staff unemployed.

Until this year, it has always been permissible to park on the eastern side of the Promenade between Manchester Square and the Foxhall Hotel between approximately the second week of November and Good Friday the following year, which has been a great help in persuading guests to visit during the winter months. To the best of my knowledge, there has neither been an accident nor incident as a result of this since I took over the premises. This entitlement has now been rescinded, leaving prospective guests from all the hotels on this stretch competing with local residents for limited parking spaces on the backroads, their alternative being highly priced and insecure municipal parking some distance away.

In addition, a new sign seems to indicate that no unloading (even by coaches!) is permissible between the prime daylight hours. This should be interesting during the sum er season; presumably all the tradesmen delivering supplies to us (on a regular basis) will be expected to slow down to a crawl and throw the goods from the vehicle window into the hotel foyer! (There is, of course, quite inadequate rear access unless it is intended to demolish the properties behind us on Tyldesley Road.) Passengers on our twice-weekly coaches could perhaps throw their luggage out should the traffic lights change to red and then jump for the pavement as the coach pulls away, although this may be rather awkward for those in wheelchairs or nursing mothers. No doubt local taxi firms will also be intrigued as to the best method to collect and deposit fares from these hotels. I have discussed ways and means of dealing with these new regulations with proprietors of neighbouring businesses however we have all, unfortunately, drawn a blank -- we have no ideas how to overcome this latest hurdle in local government assistance to trade. Therefore, please be so kind as to enlighten us with your input. What exactly would you suggest?

Finally, may I take this opportunity of thanking those responsible for helping us to continue trading smoothly. No doubt once people realise that they will have problems gaining access to these hotels without risking large fines for illegally stopping at the front doors, or drag luggage from some distance away after being charged hefty fees at the backstreet car parks, they will flock back to Blackpool in droves.

R Cornell

The Royal Seabank Hotel