From Seaside Gem to Ghost Town: The Tragic Decline of a Once-Beloved Holiday Destination
Seaside Resort’s Decline: Ghost Hotels Replace Holidaymakers

Once a bustling seaside paradise, this coastal town was a favourite among holidaymakers seeking sun, sand, and nostalgia. Today, however, its streets are lined with crumbling hotels and boarded-up buildings—a shadow of its former glory.

A Resort Frozen in Time

Walking through the town, the echoes of laughter and the clinking of ice cream cones have been replaced by an eerie silence. Grand hotels that once hosted families on summer breaks now stand empty, their facades peeling and windows shattered.

Locals Defend Their Home

Despite the decay, residents remain fiercely loyal. "It’s still better than Skegness," one local insists, referencing another well-known but often-mocked seaside destination. "There’s history here, charm—you just have to look past the cracks."

What Went Wrong?

The decline mirrors a broader trend affecting many British coastal towns. Cheaper foreign holidays, changing tourism habits, and a lack of investment have left once-thriving resorts struggling to survive.

  • Foreign Competition: Budget airlines made European beaches more accessible.
  • Neglect: Local councils failed to modernise infrastructure.
  • Economic Shifts: Seasonal jobs no longer sustain communities year-round.

Is There Hope for Revival?

Some believe the town’s vintage charm could be its salvation. Heritage grants, boutique hotel conversions, and arts festivals have revived other fading resorts—could this be the path forward?

For now, the town remains a bittersweet postcard of Britain’s seaside past, caught between nostalgia and the urgent need for renewal.