Seaside town voted one of the 'worst in the UK' set for major £16m upgrade
A bold new plan to transform a Lancashire town has been given the green light by Wyre Council, with hopes that a £16 million revamp will breathe new life into the seaside spot.
Under the proposals, Fleetwood's waterfront will see upgrades to a historic theatre, modern leisure facilities, and improved links between the promenade and town centre.
Just 25 minutes from Blackpool, Fleetwood has long attracted holidaymakers with its low prices - including hotel stays that average around £73 a night - and old-school seaside charm.
But last year, it landed in ninth place on Which? Travel's roundup of the worst seaside towns in the UK, with a score of just 51 per cent.
The low rating came down to limited tourist attractions and shopping options, something the council hopes this revamp will help change.
The proposed plans include a major overhaul of the town's iconic Marine Hall and the local leisure centre, aiming to bring new life to the promenade and give both locals and visitors more to enjoy.
There are hopes the Marine Hall - an art deco gem that's stood proud by the sea for nearly 90 years - will be turned into a flexible new space with a theatre, restaurant, offices, and room for events.
Councillors also aspire to redesign the promenade itself to better link the seafront to the town centre, making it easier for visitors to explore everything Fleetwood has to offer.
Even the colourful beach huts are being considered for a makeover - with hopes they'll be transformed into glamping pods, perfect for staycationers looking for a coastal getaway.
There are also plans to give the nearby leisure centre a fresh look, with improved pool and sports facilities and a brand-new climbing wall.
Once finished, it's anticipated it will be relaunched as a modern health and wellness hub, fitted with state-of-the-art equipment.
Now with an estimated population of 26,840, Fleetwood first began recording settlers as early as the second century.
Historians believe it may have once been a Roman port, with traces of an Iron Age settlement found nearby.
It was officially named in the 1500s after Thomas Fleetwood, and later developed in the 1830s by his descendant Peter Hesketh, who turned it into the first planned town of the Victorian era.
The town still proudly boasts three lighthouses - more than any other town in the UK - and its historic market, which opened in 1840, is still going strong.
Though its pier was lost to a fire in 2008, attractions like the Model Yacht Pond and golf course keep visitors coming back.
As reported by the Sun, local councillor Michael Vincent said of the proposed plans: 'We want Fleetwood to be an exciting and vibrant place to live, work, and visit.
'The town has a fascinating history, a dramatic coastline, and stunning heritage assets such as the art-deco Marine Hall theatre, which has stood proud for almost 90 years.
'We are committed to building upon that and attracting investment and funding in the future to support the town to reach its full potential.'
It comes as a new study has revealed the UK's most walkable city and it's good news for Brits who like a day out at the seaside.
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