O/T illuminations

The illuminations are absolutely rubbish. They used to be good and you'd see something different every year. But not for about 20 years. Waste of time other than a few hundred cars making the hugely disappointing trip, buying a McDonalds, then heading back home. And Blackpool council tax payers get to pay for the privilege.
 
Great idea, just a bit surprised they haven't done this before to take in the Christmas period. Just hope the lights can withstand the weather.
 
Macseasider said:
The illuminations are absolutely rubbish. They used to be good and you'd see something different every year. But not for about 20 years. Waste of time other than a few hundred cars making the hugely disappointing trip, buying a McDonalds, then heading back home. And Blackpool council tax payers get to pay for the privilege.
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I see a massive drop in income when the lights finish, so I presume everyone else in the leisure industry does.
We take them for granted, but 1000’s of people still treck up here to see them. Yes, lots just drive up for the evening then disappear, but plenty stay over too, young kids love it and build memories that have them returning for the rest of their lives.
 
Macseasider said:
The illuminations are absolutely rubbish. They used to be good and you'd see something different every year. But not for about 20 years. Waste of time other than a few hundred cars making the hugely disappointing trip, buying a McDonalds, then heading back home. And Blackpool council tax payers get to pay for the privilege.
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What a stupid anti Blackpool post but I wouldn't expect anything less there always at it on here slagging our fantastic town.

The whole town open for business for the rest of the year can only be a good thing but you know better.
 
We have brought our 5 Yr old Grandson over to see the lights since he was a baby... He absolutely loves them... He is growing up loving his trips to Blackpool and he keeps asking when are we able to come over again as he misses it so much.
If I could only get him to be a Tangerine it would make my year... I'm working on him lol.
Blackpool and the lights will be a part of his life as he grows up I'm sure.
 
Macseasider said:
The illuminations are absolutely rubbish. They used to be good and you'd see something different every year. But not for about 20 years. Waste of time other than a few hundred cars making the hugely disappointing trip, buying a McDonalds, then heading back home. And Blackpool council tax payers get to pay for the privilege.
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Which is presumably why lots of UK towns and cities copy the idea at Christmas whilst accepting that Blackpool is the real deal.
 
Good idea and very good news IMHO. Automatic social distancing because most (apart from walkers etc) will be in their vehicles in their own family units. Local food outlets will be able to stay open which should help to partly recover their losses from the lock-down.

Who knows? By then, it's possible that the hospitality industry could start to re-open in a reduced manner, but at least local hotels could then earn some much needed revenues and secure local jobs. 👍
 
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Have to agree with Mac,they are rubbish and very dated,we have moved on from the old glass bulbs to LED. Still the same designs along the prom and the tableaux have remainex the same or very similar. You could introduce something similar to what Disney do at closing time,a proper light show,maybe a small charge,show them on the headlands or central car park.
 
They do need updating with LED's / lasers / sound / animatronics etc.
I've often wondered why they're not switched on at Christmas. It's the best free light show in the world, but at Christmas the prom is in the dark!
I hope this brings in much needed business to the town.
 
Great idea from the powers that be...... Should bring a steady stream of tourism revenue into the new year which will be much needed by the town to survive economically

As for them bring rubbish...... Plenty of people still come and there aren't too many other free attractions in the UK that are as iconic

Dated maybe.... But a trip down memory lane every now and again doesn't do any harm does it???
 
Macseasider said:
The illuminations are absolutely rubbish. They used to be good and you'd see something different every year. But not for about 20 years. Waste of time other than a few hundred cars making the hugely disappointing trip, buying a McDonalds, then heading back home. And Blackpool council tax payers get to pay for the privilege.
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I must admit I agree - with all the gadgetry they have now it could be spectacular Instead it's stuck in a timewarp
 
20togo said:
Think so many are missing a key point here. The lights are what you bring your kids to see. It's about getting pleasure from seeing your kids faces light up.
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No you've missed the point. The post was about tourism. The lights are gash. With the modern technology kids have they wouldn't lift their heads from their phones to look the absolute dross on offer.

I have asked my kids if they'd like to go and see the illuminations and they just shake their heads and look at me like I'm daft.

I don't know anyone in Blackpool that thinks the illuminations are good. Everyone says they are crap and haven't been updated or changed for donkeys years. Same old scruffy looking rubbish. Basil Brush? Sooty? Open Sesame thing? All from the 1980's. It's embarrassing.

They should either be let go to a private enterprise who might be able to attract the BIG companies to put stunning advertisement displays up like they do in major cities or just sack it off forever. Maybe re-surface a few roads with the extra millions saved in council taxes.
 
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Used to love them as a kid. They still bring visitors in at a quiet time of year and im sure many people enjoy them.
Yes they could do with an update. Guess it is down to cost.

Do they reflect modern society?

Should they move with the times and be in touch with whats going down in the twittersphere Will there be a Covid or BLM feature this year?


Some look like they come out of the ark,
in the 21st century they are certainly not state of the art,
back to a time of more simple pleasure they hark.

So do Blackpool Lights Matter?


Well imo yes. It would be a very sad day for the town if they were gone.
 
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They were really poor last year. The bulbs were small & dimly lit. In some places it looked just like fairy lights from a Xmas tree. They need a proper budget and a rethink. The sponsored ones are repetitive and generally awful.
 
They get on about progress in Blackpool, the lights, has someone mentioned are stuck in the 50's/60's. There was a short period where they used Lasers, yes I know Patrick Moore complained but apart from that it's still a bunch of light bulbs. Hotels,, Guest houses and businesses need to cough up more as it is those that benefit from the lights, not the average rate payer. Extra cash can get some new tech or just switch them off if businesses can't be arsed. Blackpool has had years and years of people taking money out of the town and never putting back in.
 
Mr tangerine man your last sentence nails it for me ,where does all the money generated end up? At least come winter the lights will give people an excuse to get out for the weekend and come to Blackpool,I’m sure it’s a good thing for the town IF the money stays here !!!
 
20togo said:
Think so many are missing a key point here. The lights are what you bring your kids to see. It's about getting pleasure from seeing your kids faces light up.
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Don't let your kids touch the wiring and they won't light up.

On a more serious note, we're not the target audience and plenty of people still travel a long way to see them. Long may they continue.
 
Wizaard said:
Don't let your kids touch the wiring and they won't light up.

On a more serious note, we're not the target audience and plenty of people still travel a long way to see them. Long may they continue.
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Spot on Wiz. Mac just doesn't get that. He loves to knock the town.
 
Have never understood why they’ve not done this. All my mates who live outside Blackpool often visit in Nov/Dec and are bemused as to why the lights aren’t on!!
 
All this talk of money not staying in the town is a bit of a nonsense really.
Thousands upon thousands of locals earn their crust from the tourism industry, and though some on here think that illumination visitors just drive along the prom and go home without spending, ask anyone involved (cabbies, hotel owners and staff, bar staff, fast food staff, arcade staff etc.) how much their income drops as soon as the lights turn off.
 
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