Inside uncared for UK seaside city so poor virtually no person can afford to pay payments

A once-thriving seaside city has seen an “unprecedented surge” of individuals looking for assist to pay their payments regardless of a brand new £50million Government-funded vacationer attraction being introduced for the seafront. Seaside resort Morecambe was as soon as a bustling vacationer vacation spot for 1000’s of manufacturing facility employees and have become an inspiration for the playwright Alan Bennett.

The city’s well-known little kids embody comedian legend Eric Morecambe, whose amusing whimsical statue adorns the seafront, and famend actress Dame Thora Hird.

And there may be nonetheless some star high quality to Morecambe, within the imposing form of World Champion boxer Tyson Fury who’s the present most well-known resident.

But like Morecambe’s two piers, each now demolished, the fortunes of the West Lancashire conurbation for most individuals appeared to have been misplaced to the sands of time as deprivation and poor employment alternatives have taken their toll.

Areas of the seafront sit within the high 10 % of disadvantaged areas within the UK, as measured by the Government’s most up-to-date analysis within the Indices of Deprivation 2019.

Poor well being outcomes, housing and an absence of job alternatives imply Morecambe is affected by an “end-of-the-line” issue which might afflict seaside cities greater than these inland.

Joanna Young, Service Development Director, Citizens Advice North Lancashire, stated there may be an depth to seaside poverty in some areas resembling Morecambe, that’s notably tough to unravel, and plenty of have been struggling to pay their payments.

She stated there had been an unprecedented surge in folks looking for assist with the cost-of-living disaster up to now yr, with 70 % of these needing assist being registered as long-term sick or disabled

Joanna stated: “We have seen large numbers of clients coming to us with issues around energy bills, charitable support (Household support fund), foodbank referrals, debt and housing problems.

“This follows a national pattern but the area in which we work contains some wards with extremely high levels of poverty and ill health.

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“The top five wards in Lancaster District in terms of deprivation are Poulton, Harbour, Westgate, Skerton East and Skerton West. The first three are in Morecambe, close to the sea.

“If you look closer, the most deprived ones are often closest to the sea and this pattern is repeated in small seaside towns around the country.”

Joanna stated the primary conclusion that we might come to is that individuals will need to have sufficient to stay on to keep away from destitution. She stated: “We would call on the government to make sure that no one has to routinely go without shelter, heat, light, food and hygiene.

“We see people who can’t afford these things every single day. Regardless of why someone might not be working, we think it’s vital that benefits provide a safety net that allows people to stay well.

“This is especially important when it comes to people who are sick, disabled or caring for someone else.”

Comedian Jon Richardson who grew up in close by Lancaster and has household within the city, talked in regards to the resort final yr, Lancashire Live reports.

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He stated: “[It’s] a town that has been left to rot by councils and governments in the past and is a beautiful place. That view from any beach is beautiful.”

Agreeing along with his fellow movie star, Tyson Fury, who lives in Morecambe along with his spouse and youngsters, has been quoted beforehand as saying of the resort: “People say to me, ‘Why don’t you live in California?’. But why would I?

Despite the problems, investment has been earmarked in terms of the £50million Eden Project Morecambe, due to be completed in 2025. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited the site chosen for the construction in January this year, along with Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove.

Planners say the project will create several huge domed shell-shaped pavilions connected to provide a sand dune landscape appearance, with a rolling roof covered in coastal plants.

It’s forecast to attract 750,000 visitors a year, and create 300 long-term jobs, a future that could look as bright as one of the town’s famous sunsets over Morecambe Bay.

But questions have been raised by local councillors about regeneration of the seafront near the project to ensure an availability of affordable homes for locals, while still attracting visitors.

Echoing a hopeful message in light of the investment, Joanna said: “Morecambe is a wonderful place, full of brilliant, talented people and a real community spirit.

“There are problems but there are loads of good things too and it’s important that we don’t just focus on poverty.

“With the best views and the greatest sunsets in the country, it’s a wonderful place to live and work. We love it here and our colleagues and volunteers and clients are all devoted to the town we call home.”