Seaside town among UK's cheapest to visit sees £16m upgrade to promenade – including leisure centre and town hall update

The Sun

04-05-2025

A POPULAR seaside town is set for a major revamp of its beloved waterfront.
Fleetwood's promenade will see updates to the local leisure centre as well as the town's beloved Marine Hall.
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Located just a 25 minute drive from Blackpool, Fleetwood also offers visitors a fun-filled time during a trip to the coast.
It was named among the UK's cheapest seaside towns, drawing in tourists from across the country with affordable prices.
As of 2025, the town is reported to have an estimated population of 26,840, having first recorded settlers as early as the second century.
Historians have uncovered evidence that suggest the area may have been the site of a Roman port, with ruins of an Iron Age settlement nearby proving the history of the area dates back even further.
The area was officially named Fleetwood after Thomas Fleetwood, comptroller of the Royal Mint, purchased an estate in the area in the 1530s.
By the 1830s, Fleetwood's descendant Peter Hesketh was in control of the property and began plans to turn the land into the first planned town of the Victorian era.
He established three lighthouses in the area, making Fleetwood the only UK town to this day to have more than two.
While Fleetwood Market, which still operates to this day, was established in 1840, it wasn't until almost a century later that the town's historic Marine Hall was constructed.
By then an established fishing village, the town introduced other tourist attractions, including a golf course and Model Yacht Pond.
The town's waterfront has changed significantly over the decades, with the UK's last pleasure pier, constructed in 1910 burning down in 2008.
The 100-year-old theme park by the beach with one of the world's oldest rollercoasters
Now, the town is set to undergo a significant regeneration project, with £16 million invested in the works.
Part of this funding is set to go towards the redevelopment of Marine Hall, creating a more flexible, mixed-use space.
This will include a restaurant, offices, and event spaces alongside the popular Marine Hall theatre.
The development will also see work done on the Fleetwood Leisure Centre, including upgrades to the existing sports and pool facilities and new a climbing wall.
Once finished, the complex will be re-positioned as a health and wellness centre, offering state of the art facilities.
'Downtrodden' English ghost town where locals feel 'left behind' being turned into 'vibrant' shopping hub in £9m revamp
By Nicole Cherruault
A "DOWNTRODDEN" English ghost town is being turned into a "vibrant" shopping hub in a £9million revamp.
The town in northern Manchester set to totally transform as the council launches a multi-million pound"vision for change" after locals complained the town felt "left behind".
More than 600 people were consulted over renovation plans in Eccles, Salford and work has now started on demolishing the town's shopping centre, which was suffering from falling visitors numbers.
Following the demolition stage, a development partner will be appointed to bring new life to what residents described as a "downtrodden" town, reports Manchester Evening News.
The objective, the council said, is to create a "vibrant" and a "fit for purpose" centre for people to enjoy.
Attracting more independent retailers, and new bars and cafes are among the council's top priorities.
And just three miles from Salford Quays and Manchester city centre, the redevelopment project looks set to transform the area into a buzzing place for young professionals and business owners.
This comes as locals despaired over the ailing town, saying they felt it had been "left behind" and it was in desperate need of some "drastic" improvements.
The council stressed that the demolition work will be a long process, with the initial phase due only to be completed by the end of the year.
However, Councillor Mike McCusker reassured locals that despite the renovations, the town centre "remains open for business", stressing that the works only affect a few areas.
He said: 'Whilst we work on the town centre of the future, today's town centre remains open for business,' said Coun Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development at Salford council.
'I want to stress that this demolition work only affects certain parts of the town centre.
'The shops and businesses on Church Street are still open for business and unaffected by this work.'
Meanwhile, Councillor McCusker, who represents the Eccles ward, shared his enthusiasm for the project, in particular for its focus on the local community.
In a statement, he spoke of his "excitement" for the times ahead in materialising their vision for a brighter, more dynamic Eccles.
He said 'Through our purchase of the shopping centre, we were able to put the future of the town centre in the hands of the council and the community.
'It has enabled us to begin this important and long-overdue programme of work, to deliver the vision we have developed with the community.
'The demolition work will take some time, but there are exciting times ahead for Eccles as we work to bring this vision to life.'
The promenade will also be reconfigured to better connect the waterfront facilities with the town centre.
Fleetwood's beach huts will also be enhanced and developed to provide standalone "glamping" pods to tap into the staycation market.
'We want Fleetwood to be an exciting and vibrant place to live, work, and visit," said local councillor Michael Vincent.
"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.
'The regeneration plans are a real blueprint for success.
"They have the potential to deliver a wide range of new and exciting activities to complement existing visitor attractions such as Fleetwood Market and the Museum and promise a real boost to the local economy.'
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And if you're visiting in the mean time, Fleetwood is the perfect destination for a sunny day.
The town's seafront stretches from Rossall Beach in Cleveleys to the Wyre Estuary, and includes Marine Beach and Ferry Beach.
Rossall Beach is known for sandy dunes and grasslands, while Marine Beach is a busier area with traditional seaside attractions.
Ferry Beach offers views across Morecambe Bay or you can head to the Rossall Point Tower for panoramic views.
Visitors can choose from a variety of local hotels, starting from just £70 per night.
You can learn more about the area's long-spanning history at the Fleetwood Museum, with an admission charge of just £4.
And Fleetwood's iconic market is open every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday throughout the year.
And for little ones, the town's iconic waterfront and Marine Gardens has splash zones to cool down on hot days as well as areas for al fresco dining.
A ferry to nearby Knott End is available for just £2.50 per person, and only takes 10 minutes each way.
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