I love Blackpool it’s not the only sea side town to suffer its better than most in the uk I live just 45 minutes away I first went to the town when I was six years old 1963 I remember them days they was brilliant. I still visit best sea side town in the uk
Thank you, I really enjoyed your video. It was so cool that you met up with Stephen. As well as being an expert on all things Blackpool, he is a really lovely guy. I hope that you enjoyed it as much as I know that Stephen did xx
You're right - an oversight on our part. We were looking at it through our American lens where any place with 140,000 people would be called a "city" regardless of the technicality.
@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool yeah they seemed nice and I don't think they were the type to go robbing people. From appearances alone it's sadly impossible to tell!
@@SamuelCummins-mt125 fair enough pal, people are quick to judge, personally if young guys ride up to me on a bike like that I'd feel nervous at first since so many people dress similar in Blackpool and are dangerous, but if they came across like you did then I'd feel super guilty for judging, I always try to see the best in people! Hope you see what I mean
I was in Blackpool for a week at the beginning of July and my honest observations... There are some very rough looking areas behind the front, presumably because gueshouses there are housing those 'down on their luck' shall we say. The town centre is actually not too bad, you could almost say it's thriving when you compare it to most town centres in England which are dying. Lastly, we were surprised that once you were past the front and town centre, the residential areas of the town were generally in very good condition and well looked after. Blackpool park is amazing and had obviously had a lot of investment in facilities. That whole area by the cricket ground in fact looked quite prosperous.
Stephen's vids are always entertaining, his knowledge of Blackpool is unsurpassed and he is a genuinely nice guy, always open to collaboration with other UA-cam creators like the MacMaster, especially
Chris is 100% overhis views and facts =, and i love Blackpool im a London girl and when u go to Blackpool people have time to talk to u, they are not ignorant, Blackpool is a fantastic place
This was so much fun! Stephen..you get around, very informative for our American friend. I visit Blackpool from London every year to let my hair down & remind myself of what friendly people are like lol. The town has it's problems but there's plenty of good points.
Steve is correct. Blackpool/Morecambe became a dumping ground for homeless/long-term unemployed with issues. One London Council had an incentive scheme to move to Morecambe Thus a high percentage of Unemployable, Beer monsters/Drug Users. Blackpool also suffered from Grandious developments focused on Visitors, not Local needs. As for Empty properties, quite a few are locked into Probate issues or ownership cannot be established. Councils can CPO Properties unoccupied or falling down due to financial constraints many cannot do so. Don't forget that Stephen Cheatley is a photographer who produces some iconic photos. Walk on the Wild Side's UA-cam channel produces two different calendars for local charities each year. Sold online and at Chris Higgits one pound burger/ Happy Days and many more quality outlets.
It's more than just a homeless problem Blackpool is on its knees , it's become a right dump , grotty looking, the prom is going downhill, the backstreets look worse than Gaza not the football player the middle eastern country, the town center looks deprived, it's ok for Chris Higgitt defending Blackpool but he needs to wake up to reality, Blackpool is not the town it used to be , no wonder people go abroad as it's nicer and cheaper, Blackpool is expensive! I love Blackpool but as a holidays resort it's finished, it's become rough and scummy , the golden years are well and truly gone , I blame the council and the lazy people of Blackpool for letting it get in such a state .
I live in Dundee, which is not quite a seaside town but a port city in the northeast of Scotland. A lot of the points made in this video about Blackpool I relate with a lot. All the council investment being placed on the waterfront mile areas with high number of tourist and student populations while the rest of the city feels derelict and forgotten about. In our case, it's the V&A Dundee which costed an absurd amount but serves no purpose or benefit to any of the locals. Anywhere beyond that is a concrete jungle of stitched together housing estates with unbelievably high rates of poverty, drug deaths and crime. I met Chris Higgit yesterday while in Blackpool, the £1 burger was great. Also saw two Native American guys outside a Poundland next to the Tower. A very surreal place, a genuine authentic piece of Britain. It's a shame because you can see the remnants of an otherwise once beautiful little town, once one of the most affluent and rich places in the world. With a bit of strategic investment (under a competent government) and a lick of paint, the town could revive itself. 20 million tourists a year and nothing to reflect that is madness.
Rich and affluent ? - - u never been anywhere obviously, - -back in the 60s I lived and worked in Switzerland, spent days in France & Germany - - it's shocking to see most of Britain well well below even now to how those countries standard of living was then - - Blackpool and many other parts of UK are a sore to the eye
@@rob5197 The '60s was the peak of Blackpool and it's cultural height. Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Marilyn Monroe to name a few visited it. It very much was the Vegas of Britain. Nowadays, that's a whole other story. The suburban areas near Marton Mere and Stanley Park are gorgeously well-kept compared other areas.
Hi Steve. Have just watched your video of the American interview. I think you did a real job about your proud town. Also to hear what Chris, the daddy had to say. People who slag Blackpool off shouldn't go. I used to come to Blackpool 4 or 5 times a year but can't now owing to I'll health. I love watching your videos so keep up your good work. And, ( THANKS).
There used to be a ruling in this country that anyone going to a seaside resort to live would have to work at least 2 years before you could sign on for benefits, if you ended up in that position you were advised to go back to where you came from. In 1982-3 the government removed that rule along with the maximum rent that people could charge so over the next few years local employers were tempting people from out of town to come for jobs at Easter, then laying them off, and a lot of those people could not get jobs afterwards but still stayed, so all of a sudden the property developers had a field day buying up all the premises that were being re-possessed and its been going downhill ever since.
My grandfather owned a few houses as a retirement investment, he was not happy with the maximum rent under Labour's Fair Rent Act, but he kept every home fully maintained. If a tenant rang him, whether it was a leaky tap or a leaky roof, it was passed to his contractor the same day. He still made money. When he sold the houses and retired his tenants were genuinely sad. He made enough from the sales to live well to age 99 and leave us enough for me to invest in my own pension, which I now benefit from. Today's landlords want the maximum they can squeeze out of tenants right now.
He comes across a modest cockey southerner, he is slagging off others. He needs to watch what he is saying down south and in USA he would end up put in hospital for insulting and talking pure CRAP.
I live in Australia and when I travel, I'm definitely coming to Blackpool. I cannot believe how such a incredible part of British history and incredible shoreline isn't always packed, with all the wonderful things to do, eat and stay for all budgets. There are rough people everywhere these days, doesn't matter where you live. It's really sad that a lot of people travel overseas and other beaches in Britain that are not on a par with this waterfront. I think there is a element of people being a bit snobbish. By the way I absolutely love black Rock. Hoping there will be some rejuvenation soon. Such a interesting place with so much potential for even being better than it already is.
If Blackpool was Australian the developers would buy up those water front houses and have apartment blocks everywhere such cheap real estate with ocean views .
@@gregdean8441 that is so true. Aussies would definitely buy into it. I definitely don't think that it would have got in this state, if it was in Australia . Also most Aussies certainly don't have any social grace, status. They would party on there like no tomorrow, no matter which part of the country they come from . Even if I double the prices of food and accommodation there to the Australian dollar value it's still a bargain. Crikey imagine how many Australian beer monsters there would be at a pint of beer for £1.80 about $3.50 aus. When most beers here are between $9 and $15 out. 😂🍺
I have been going to blackpool since I was born 46 years ago, we live 40mins away, we used to go to the illuminations and stay at one of the oldest hotels with my grandparents who kindly took us on holiday as are parents did not, my Grandad used to carry me up to bed after the disco at night ,sadly he died recently of dementia, I cherish my memories of Blackpool as a child and as a young man going to the amazing club scene in the 90's. To this day I now take my young family to Blackpool to the same hotel I used to stay on a regular basis to show them what a traditional British holiday is about and we also do a lot of cycling from along the cycle path along the front from stargate (end of Blackpool) to fleetwood I also go to a lot of 90's Blackpool club reunions (Zone) and Sequins I have been to las vegas 15 times and we have just returned from venice beach in california where my friends live , been going 20years and as soon as we returned we went straight back to blackpool, beleive me every beach town has its problems and there are much more of a homless drug and gun crime issue in a beach town like venice compared with Blackpool and we love both places , you have to take a place for what it is and what you make it , warts and all as they say, The one thing that is definatly more consistant is good weather, but when you get a sunny day in Blackpool and you look out to sea you could be anywhere in the world
It's videos and video titles like this that are making this town a ghost town. Every place has their good bits and bad bits why can't people just leave Blackpool alone. Well done Steve and higgitt for sticking up for the town
Lots of UA-camrs make videos about how poor and sad Blackpool is. We tried not to do that and made this video to hopefully capture what it is actually like, which is why we featured Stephen and Chris. I think they said it best: Blackpool is a great city with some bad sides, and anyone who tries to understand it should show both sides.
Blackpool grew so fast, and so much, so when things went a bit pear shaped (Benedorm effect) it suffered a lot. Good news is that it's obviously putting a lot of money and effort into its regeneration.
My Daughter lives off Highfield rd in Blackpool and it’s a decent enough area with some good facilities and houses the people of the neighborhood seem friendly to.
Love this video, love Blackpool! the memories i have of the place, i could write a book! coming from a very working class background where my parents had very little, but they always ensured we had a summer holiday and an illumination holiday, yes in scruffy little flats! the happiness more than made up for the scruffiness, I remember not being able to eat of sleep for a week on the run up to going to Blackpool! we thought we were the Partridge family singing as a family on the coach to Blackpool! Yes it has changed, but i love it just as much as ever i did, and will keep going back for as long as my legs will take me!
I grew up in Blackpool from the 1960s. Went to school there at St Kentigan's and then to St Thomas of Canterbury. Then the name was changed to All Saints. The beginning of the end of Blackpool was the beginning of the 80s when the. minor strikes started. They could no longer afford to come to Blackpool and that was the beginning of the end. Moving along, generation. that traditionally came to Blackpool have all died. another one is cheap flights like Easyjet and Ryan Air. So that made flying to Spain. accessible to anyone. And guaranteed sunshine where Blackpool couldn't guarantee you that. Blackpool has suffered the consequences of it all. It's been like a very, very, very slow car crash, in the town. What once was an absolute gem and a privilege to live in is now in the state. It is. Breaks my heart to see the way this town is today, to what I remember it as a bustling, vibrant, happy, happy place. Never thought I'd see in my lifetime.
Hey everyone - thank you for watching and thank you to Stephen and Chris for setting us straight about Blackpool. The elephant in the room is that Blackpool is England's "most deprived" place, but it's so much more than that, as Stephen and Chris showed. We're doing a whole series on northern England, followed by one from Pennsylvania. We hope you'll subscribe!
Your video documentary came across like a episode of The League of Gentlemen 😂 How can anyone take Blackpool seriously after watching it , Part 2 is even worse . Louis Theroux won't be losing any sleep .
What an absolutely cracking video, Chris was spot on with everything he said they could not have interviewed a better person loved Chris's humour, and thanks to Stephen as well.
True words said by the £! burger man...........but............with some not all drug addicts/alcaholics if u get to know some individuals there is "reason" behind why some start etc..........we don,t all start from a "perfect" place etc.or live in a "perfect" place so on and on...............really enjoyed this video.......more to come from Blackpool soon ............
Not really, he is just a greasy food mechanic and thinks he knows it all. I lived down south, had a brill laugh down there, the southerners are very witty and funny. The Americans are the same, always up for a joke and much more polite and helpful than people in the UK I lived in 3 states for 2 years. Burger man went on like a drunk.
Thanks for your video with Stephen Cheatley, did you know he had been Stateside during the recent solar eclipse - in Dallas in fact. I communicate with him quite a bit and you were right on the knocker about Blackpool being destitute. Blackpool used to be one of the 3b’s of vacation resorts in the UK the others being Brighton (upper class) and Bournemouth (middle class). It was said by Stephen that mills in Manchester, Blackburn, and Yorkshire were paying more and the vacation money was filtering to Blackpool, then the package tour boom killed it, all the 3b’s were affected, Blackpool worst (and still are being affected), the others less so.
Brighton is still very much middle-class, it's the San Francisco of the UK. Bournemouth is a close-second but still draws in better crowds imo. Blackpool is by far the worst affected of all the 3B's.
I'm quite surprised at Stephen, taking this guy down the worst road in the whole town. Why not show him Stanley Park and its environs? Every town in the UK is suffering in a similar way to Blackpool. And, come to think of it, the guy might even look a bit closer to home, as LA, San Francisco and even New York are spiralling downwards with rampant crime, out of control immigration and homelessness. Blackpool has no tent cities or areas like Kensington in Philadelphia. Blackpool's HEALTHY in comparison to those places!
Also, for context, when Steve was explaining the growth as a holiday resort, he should have mentioned the "wakes" and "fairs", when the industry in every town in northern england and in scotland, would close down for a week or fortnight in rotation through the summer, and the whole population would decamp to Blackpool and other seaside resorts for a week
That was when Blackpool was nice, know it's a grotty dump , nobody is gonna spend hundreds of pounds to walk about Blackpool in the rain when they can fly abroad cheaper and be guaranteed sun.
We have had 116 million from government funding that the council have only spent on the town centre its neglected central, south shore. We are still the best seaside town in uk.
I noticed that a *Bradford* born *UA-camr* - who mainly tells people he's from *Leeds* like a lot of *Bradfordians,* even though he's from the town of *Keighley* which is in the 141 square mile *City of Bradford,* - interviewed *Chris Higgitt* aka the *Blackpool £1 Burger Man* a couple of weeks ago, although I haven't watched it yet. However from this video alone, I can tell that *Chris Higgitt* is like a *Blackpool* version of me, as he defends *Blackpool,* just like I defend *Bradford,* plus he has the same views as me. However I also defend *Blackpool* as *Blackpool* is the best holiday resort in the UK imo, especially for a weekend away, as there's a lot of things to see and do, plus the *Blackpool Pleasure Beach* is easily the best theme park in the UK, and people who disagree have no idea what they're talking about.
What a fantastic video, it was great that you met Stephen, he really knows all that there is to know about Blackpool and he is a genuinely lovely guy. I was disgusted with the way that Chris Higgitt spoke to you guys when you first met him. Without any doubt at all, if he been aware that you have such a large following on Instagram, he would have been over the top friendly with you both, he always puts on a show if he thinks lots of people are watching him, which is very fake! Look forward to watching more of your videos guys. All the best.
Chris said it how it is. Chris spoke like I would've spoken if these Americans asked me about my city, and/or asked me to show them around my city. I know more about my city than anyone, and I challenge anyone to prove otherwise. The stereotypes in the mainstream media aren't true, yet most of the public believe they are because... They can't be bothered to check simple facts on somewhere like the Office for National Statistics aka the only official source for UK statistics.
And he's a gobshite. Doesn't listen - talks and talks and talks and thinks he know's everything. I AM from Blackpool and would love him to go home and get out of my hometown.
@@danielgardecki1046Nasty comment. He sounds a little Black Country in his inflection. I'm not BC, but I'm native North Worcestershire, so I recognise the accent. Alison Hammond is from a town not far away.
17:16 *Manchester* and *Liverpool* = Two tiny city's by area, which think they're bigger than they are, as they get all the good media attention, plus they take credits for people, places and things which have nothing to do with them. *Bradford* = Can fit both *Manchester* and *Liverpool* inside it's borders with room to spare for another small city. Has a bigger population than *Liverpool.* Had a larger population than *Manchester* until 2015, as *Manchester's* population grew by around 160,000 in just 20 years, largely fuelled by propaganda from the mainstream media imo. And is the former *Wool Capital of the World.* When the 141 square mile *City of Bradford* was the *Wool Capital of the World,* it was one of the richest city's in the world, and was richer than the 1 square mile *City of London* at one point in the late 19th or early 20th century. Today it is the UK's fourth *City of Culture,* and the world's first *UNESCO City of Film* among other things. Fun Fact - The stone from *Bradford Dale* area of *Bradford* which built *Bradford City Hall,* is the same stone which built the almost identical *Manchester Town Hall,* which looked even more similar 120+ years ago when the *Titus Salt Memorial* was located at the front of *Bradford City Hall,* just like how the similarly shaped *Albert Memorial* is located at the front of *Manchester Town Hall.*
Barrow in Furness makes Blackpool look like Dubai 😂 Blackpool is dingy and very eerie when you stop looking at the strip but we still go there and it has some nice places outside of fair,Stanley park is probably one of the nicest parks in England,the zoo is very good it’s just a lost town because when it was popular they built big.We was there 2 days ago it was dead in august it was shocking
@@davidGPS95 Waterloo road looks like a war zone? How exactly?? I've never seen any fighting or trouble there. Dale Street is a bit run down but has a certain charm, and bond street is another where I've never seen anything particularly bad. You really don't know what you're talking about, do you? You're one of those people who is probably negative about EVERYTHING.
@@DarrenGregg-j3e I have been visiting Blackpool for over 40 years , I love Blackpool and I have seen a decline over the years , yes some parts of Blackpool are lovely but some streets and buildings look awful, have you seen how bad Bond street has become? It used to be a lovely street with lots of shops , Waterloo road was the same lots of nice shops , a post office, indoor markets , now it's horrible shops like Cash converters , also full poverty drunks and junkies and it's sad . Dale Street only has a couple of decent shops and cafes but it used to be busy with lovely shops , it has really went downhill there are horrible looking empty buildings and empty guest houses that have been lying in that state for years. Lytham road is the worst , another road that used to look nice with shops and guest houses not now , there are building new houses near that horrible looking pub The Crazy scots so let's hope it gets better. If I sound negative it's because I love Blackpool and I hate to see it go downhill, the council have forgotten about it , where has all the money gone that Blackpool has made over the years ?
I like Bpool, we stop north hotels, nice. Agree with that man saying all these Docu. tend to interview down and outs who understandably have a low opinion. Bpool went down in 80s when grand shows were put on like Canon Ball, Russ Abbott etc stoped coming.
Agree used to have great British comedy in Blackpool in theaters and Piers now it's that horrible Far Right trouble maker Katie Hopkins.😮 That's how desperate Blackpool has become.
We visit Blackpool at least 9 times a year, its a great place, but it is run down. Its goid that you met Stephen, what he doesn't know about Blackpool, isnt worth knowing. Xxxx
Would love to see something on south shields. It generally can be a lovely town... but.. crime here seems so bad now... and the obviousness of the drugs gangs/issues really is big now. Think petrol bombing peoples houses at 4 am and teens walking around with those bomb things thay gwt hidden underground and go off if you step on them...
i visited Blackpool in 1996 and 1997 during the 6 weeks school summer holidays. This was when they had real video Arcade games everywhere in Blackpool, i spent everyday going to different arcades there playing from literally morning until night when we had to go back to the Hotel. its one of the happiest memories and times of my life
The Burger Guy is Fantastic, he was spot on about everything He should go into politics-I’d vote for him! And yeah don’t disrespect Blackpool it’s Great
99% of money stays inside London Remaining 1% is spread across rest of UK Motorcyclists racing around UK towns a massive problem across UK Funny they can't see there the problem
I used to ride a motorbike. At 68, I can't get my leg over (the saddle) like I used to. We used to have dirty looks, suspicious attitudes and were banned from many pubs, but we never caused trouble. These lads are having fun, I just hope they ride safely. Most motorcycle accidents are caused by car drivers
You guys didn't go on a night out?! You can't document Blackpool without going on a night out and say it's the full picture. The nightlife is why most people go to Blackpool. That's like going to Vegas or Miami and just showing it during the day.
I love Blackpool it’s not the only sea side town to suffer its better than most in the uk
I live just 45 minutes away
I first went to the town when I was six years old 1963 I remember them days they was brilliant. I still visit best sea side town in the uk
Thank you, I really enjoyed your video. It was so cool that you met up with Stephen. As well as being an expert on all things Blackpool, he is a really lovely guy. I hope that you enjoyed it as much as I know that Stephen did xx
Thanks Moonage xx
Blackpool does not have city status, it's a town.
That's what I always thought.
You're right - an oversight on our part. We were looking at it through our American lens where any place with 140,000 people would be called a "city" regardless of the technicality.
WELL SAID.
@@rocanews St Davids in Wales is a city and has a population less than 2,000 , get your head round that
@@Battismore-Blue My American brain is too small to handle that
Those two young lads on the bikes seemed really friendly.
@@uws5604 I think they were good lads, not like the black puffer jacket balaclava scallywags.
@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool yeah they seemed nice and I don't think they were the type to go robbing people. From appearances alone it's sadly impossible to tell!
The first guy looked like *Sam "Clive" Robinson* from *Bad Boy Chiller Crew* at first, then he said his name was *Sam,* however it clearly wasn't him.
@@uws5604nah we don’t do none off that ,we just have fun
@@SamuelCummins-mt125 fair enough pal, people are quick to judge, personally if young guys ride up to me on a bike like that I'd feel nervous at first since so many people dress similar in Blackpool and are dangerous, but if they came across like you did then I'd feel super guilty for judging, I always try to see the best in people! Hope you see what I mean
I was in Blackpool for a week at the beginning of July and my honest observations...
There are some very rough looking areas behind the front, presumably because gueshouses there are housing those 'down on their luck' shall we say.
The town centre is actually not too bad, you could almost say it's thriving when you compare it to most town centres in England which are dying.
Lastly, we were surprised that once you were past the front and town centre, the residential areas of the town were generally in very good condition and well looked after. Blackpool park is amazing and had obviously had a lot of investment in facilities. That whole area by the cricket ground in fact looked quite prosperous.
Great video I’m from cleveleys 4 miles from Blackpool, we love Stephen and Chris. … keep the videos coming
Thanks Scott, from my other account 🙏
Loving the lads on the bikes. Reminds me of myself back in 88. Pulling wheelies along the front on my RD125LC 😂
Cheers mate and ye my wheelie have got so much better since then
I had an RD250. Loved that bike so much, rode from Worcester to Bangor (North Wales) and all over the place. Great days
My grandparents lived near Blackpool and I spent all my childhood in the 60,s and 70,s at Blackpool ❤so many happy memories, love Blackpool ❤
Blackpool was a magical place for me as a child, we used to go down there from Glasgow in Scotland every year.
Stephen's vids are always entertaining, his knowledge of Blackpool is unsurpassed and he is a genuinely nice guy, always open to collaboration with other UA-cam creators like the MacMaster, especially
Chris is 100% overhis views and facts =, and i love Blackpool im a London girl and when u go to Blackpool people have time to talk to u, they are not ignorant, Blackpool is a fantastic place
This was so much fun! Stephen..you get around, very informative for our American friend. I visit Blackpool from London every year to let my hair down & remind myself of what friendly people are like lol. The town has it's problems but there's plenty of good points.
Thanks 🙏🙏🙏
Steve is correct. Blackpool/Morecambe became a dumping ground for homeless/long-term unemployed with issues. One London Council had an incentive scheme to move to Morecambe Thus a high percentage of Unemployable, Beer monsters/Drug Users. Blackpool also suffered from Grandious developments focused on Visitors, not Local needs. As for Empty properties, quite a few are locked into Probate issues or ownership cannot be established. Councils can CPO Properties unoccupied or falling down due to financial constraints many cannot do so. Don't forget that Stephen Cheatley is a photographer who produces some iconic photos. Walk on the Wild Side's UA-cam channel produces two different calendars for local charities each year. Sold online and at Chris Higgits one pound burger/ Happy Days and many more quality outlets.
Thanks Peter 🙏
Love the vlog big fan of Stephen and the other Blackpool vlogers. Paul ,Chris, Pete, Jay etc. Thankyou for your perspective. ❤😊
It's more than just a homeless problem Blackpool is on its knees , it's become a right dump , grotty looking, the prom is going downhill, the backstreets look worse than Gaza not the football player the middle eastern country, the town center looks deprived, it's ok for Chris Higgitt defending Blackpool but he needs to wake up to reality, Blackpool is not the town it used to be , no wonder people go abroad as it's nicer and cheaper, Blackpool is expensive!
I love Blackpool but as a holidays resort it's finished, it's become rough and scummy , the golden years are well and truly gone ,
I blame the council and the lazy people of Blackpool for letting it get in such a state .
@@davidGPS95 I hope I'm not one of those lazy people.
@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool Have you seen the size of the new Department of works and pension building in Blackpool ? It's huge 😲
There's far worse places I assure you
I live in Dundee, which is not quite a seaside town but a port city in the northeast of Scotland. A lot of the points made in this video about Blackpool I relate with a lot. All the council investment being placed on the waterfront mile areas with high number of tourist and student populations while the rest of the city feels derelict and forgotten about. In our case, it's the V&A Dundee which costed an absurd amount but serves no purpose or benefit to any of the locals. Anywhere beyond that is a concrete jungle of stitched together housing estates with unbelievably high rates of poverty, drug deaths and crime. I met Chris Higgit yesterday while in Blackpool, the £1 burger was great. Also saw two Native American guys outside a Poundland next to the Tower. A very surreal place, a genuine authentic piece of Britain. It's a shame because you can see the remnants of an otherwise once beautiful little town, once one of the most affluent and rich places in the world. With a bit of strategic investment (under a competent government) and a lick of paint, the town could revive itself. 20 million tourists a year and nothing to reflect that is madness.
Rich and affluent ? - - u never been anywhere obviously, - -back in the 60s I lived and worked in Switzerland, spent days in France & Germany - - it's shocking to see most of Britain well well below even now to how those countries standard of living was then - - Blackpool and many other parts of UK are a sore to the eye
@@rob5197 The '60s was the peak of Blackpool and it's cultural height. Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Marilyn Monroe to name a few visited it. It very much was the Vegas of Britain. Nowadays, that's a whole other story. The suburban areas near Marton Mere and Stanley Park are gorgeously well-kept compared other areas.
Hi Steve. Have just watched your video of the American interview. I think you did a real job about your proud town. Also to hear what Chris, the daddy had to say. People who slag Blackpool off shouldn't go. I used to come to Blackpool 4 or 5 times a year but can't now owing to I'll health. I love watching your videos so keep up your good work. And, ( THANKS).
Thanks Barrie 🙏
It is same in every town and city in the UK. My home town of Leigh is one of the many places here that’s suffered badly
Blackpool the most visited and best Seaside resort the worlds ever known
@@DavidWatson-g1c Yes 👍
Burger man is a legend
There used to be a ruling in this country that anyone going to a seaside resort to live would have to work at least 2 years before you could sign on for benefits, if you ended up in that position you were advised to go back to where you came from. In 1982-3 the government removed that rule along with the maximum rent that people could charge so over the next few years local employers were tempting people from out of town to come for jobs at Easter, then laying them off, and a lot of those people could not get jobs afterwards but still stayed, so all of a sudden the property developers had a field day buying up all the premises that were being re-possessed and its been going downhill ever since.
My grandfather owned a few houses as a retirement investment, he was not happy with the maximum rent under Labour's Fair Rent Act, but he kept every home fully maintained. If a tenant rang him, whether it was a leaky tap or a leaky roof, it was passed to his contractor the same day.
He still made money. When he sold the houses and retired his tenants were genuinely sad.
He made enough from the sales to live well to age 99 and leave us enough for me to invest in my own pension, which I now benefit from.
Today's landlords want the maximum they can squeeze out of tenants right now.
Every word Chris said about immigration was spot on, And a great video Stephen thanks
Bloody hell, Chris was a bit touchy 😂 Bad day?
He comes across a modest cockey southerner, he is slagging off others. He needs to watch what he is saying down south and in USA he would end up put in hospital for insulting and talking pure CRAP.
I live in Australia and when I travel, I'm definitely coming to Blackpool. I cannot believe how such a incredible part of British history and incredible shoreline isn't always packed, with all the wonderful things to do, eat and stay for all budgets. There are rough people everywhere these days, doesn't matter where you live. It's really sad that a lot of people travel overseas and other beaches in Britain that are not on a par with this waterfront. I think there is a element of people being a bit snobbish. By the way I absolutely love black Rock. Hoping there will be some rejuvenation soon. Such a interesting place with so much potential for even being better than it already is.
If Blackpool was Australian the developers would buy up those water front houses and have apartment blocks everywhere such cheap real estate with ocean views .
@@gregdean8441 that is so true. Aussies would definitely buy into it. I definitely don't think that it would have got in this state, if it was in Australia . Also most Aussies certainly don't have any social grace, status. They would party on there like no tomorrow, no matter which part of the country they come from . Even if I double the prices of food and accommodation there to the Australian dollar value it's still a bargain. Crikey imagine how many Australian beer monsters there would be at a pint of beer for £1.80 about $3.50 aus. When most beers here are between $9 and $15 out. 😂🍺
I have been going to blackpool since I was born 46 years ago, we live 40mins away, we used to go to the illuminations and stay at one of the oldest hotels with my grandparents who kindly took us on holiday as are parents did not, my Grandad used to carry me up to bed after the disco at night ,sadly he died recently of dementia, I cherish my memories of Blackpool as a child and as a young man going to the amazing club scene in the 90's. To this day I now take my young family to Blackpool to the same hotel I used to stay on a regular basis to show them what a traditional British holiday is about and we also do a lot of cycling from along the cycle path along the front from stargate (end of Blackpool) to fleetwood
I also go to a lot of 90's Blackpool club reunions (Zone) and Sequins
I have been to las vegas 15 times and we have just returned from venice beach in california where my friends live , been going 20years
and as soon as we returned we went straight back to blackpool, beleive me every beach town has its problems and there are much more of a homless drug and gun crime issue in a beach town like venice compared with Blackpool and we love both places , you have to take a place for what it is and what you make it , warts and all as they say,
The one thing that is definatly more consistant is good weather, but when you get a sunny day in Blackpool and you look out to sea you could be anywhere in the world
It's videos and video titles like this that are making this town a ghost town. Every place has their good bits and bad bits why can't people just leave Blackpool alone. Well done Steve and higgitt for sticking up for the town
Lots of UA-camrs make videos about how poor and sad Blackpool is. We tried not to do that and made this video to hopefully capture what it is actually like, which is why we featured Stephen and Chris. I think they said it best: Blackpool is a great city with some bad sides, and anyone who tries to understand it should show both sides.
@@rocanews *town
Blackpool grew so fast, and so much, so when things went a bit pear shaped (Benedorm effect) it suffered a lot.
Good news is that it's obviously putting a lot of money and effort into its regeneration.
Burger man is true legend
Prom wheelies are the best progress has came so far since this video filmed my wheelie
My Daughter lives off Highfield rd in Blackpool and it’s a decent enough area with some good facilities and houses the people of the neighborhood seem friendly to.
Rock is also made here in Dudley at Teddy Greys and has been for a good many years along with their famous herbal sweets etc
Love this video, love Blackpool! the memories i have of the place, i could write a book! coming from a very working class background where my parents had very little, but they always ensured we had a summer holiday and an illumination holiday, yes in scruffy little flats! the happiness more than made up for the scruffiness, I remember not being able to eat of sleep for a week on the run up to going to Blackpool! we thought we were the Partridge family singing as a family on the coach to Blackpool! Yes it has changed, but i love it just as much as ever i did, and will keep going back for as long as my legs will take me!
I grew up in Blackpool from the 1960s. Went to school there at St Kentigan's and then to St Thomas of Canterbury. Then the name was changed to All Saints. The beginning of the end of Blackpool was the beginning of the 80s when the. minor strikes started. They could no longer afford to come to Blackpool and that was the beginning of the end. Moving along, generation. that traditionally came to Blackpool have all died. another one is cheap flights like Easyjet and Ryan Air. So that made flying to Spain. accessible to anyone. And guaranteed sunshine where Blackpool couldn't guarantee you that. Blackpool has suffered the consequences of it all. It's been like a very, very, very slow car crash, in the town. What once was an absolute gem and a privilege to live in is now in the state. It is. Breaks my heart to see the way this town is today, to what I remember it as a bustling, vibrant, happy, happy place. Never thought I'd see in my lifetime.
Stephen should have took you to meet all his beer monster mates he sits in doorways with on a Sunday afternoons 🤣 it's all kicking off in Blackpool
Yes 👍
Hey everyone - thank you for watching and thank you to Stephen and Chris for setting us straight about Blackpool. The elephant in the room is that Blackpool is England's "most deprived" place, but it's so much more than that, as Stephen and Chris showed. We're doing a whole series on northern England, followed by one from Pennsylvania. We hope you'll subscribe!
Your video documentary came across like a episode of The League of Gentlemen 😂
How can anyone take Blackpool seriously after watching it , Part 2 is even worse .
Louis Theroux won't be losing any sleep .
@@davidGPS95 You miserable sod.
Great vlog good to Stephen & Chris featured
Thanks Charles
@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool 👍
Do you know when the Macmaster is coming again? I’d really like to meet him
@@charlesstanmore I don’t know Charles. He tends to come with just a few hours notice.
@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool Ok thanks
What an absolutely cracking video, Chris was spot on with everything he said they could not have interviewed a better person loved Chris's humour, and thanks to Stephen as well.
Thanks for watching! And we agree -- we were quite lucky to meet Stephen and Chris 😃
This video popped up on my feed, and I saw Mr. Wildside in the thumbnail, so had to watch it. I watch all Mr. Wildsides videos.
Thank you kindly 🙏
Stephen s friend who owns the burger place is spot on regarding observations.
Thanks SuperLisa 🙏
Love this video guys, nice to see Stephen, and Chris on your channel, good luck on your visit’s in the uk.
Videos from Boston, Knottingley, and Dewsbury on the way!
True words said by the £! burger man...........but............with some not all drug addicts/alcaholics if u get to know some individuals there is "reason" behind why some start etc..........we don,t all start from a "perfect" place etc.or live in a "perfect" place so on and on...............really enjoyed this video.......more to come from Blackpool soon ............
Not really, he is just a greasy food mechanic and thinks he knows it all. I lived down south, had a brill laugh down there, the southerners are very witty and funny. The Americans are the same, always up for a joke and much more polite and helpful than people in the UK I lived in 3 states for 2 years. Burger man went on like a drunk.
Thanks for your video with Stephen Cheatley, did you know he had been Stateside during the recent solar eclipse - in Dallas in fact. I communicate with him quite a bit and you were right on the knocker about Blackpool being destitute. Blackpool used to be one of the 3b’s of vacation resorts in the UK the others being Brighton (upper class) and Bournemouth (middle class). It was said by Stephen that mills in Manchester, Blackburn, and Yorkshire were paying more and the vacation money was filtering to Blackpool, then the package tour boom killed it, all the 3b’s were affected, Blackpool worst (and still are being affected), the others less so.
Brighton is still very much middle-class, it's the San Francisco of the UK. Bournemouth is a close-second but still draws in better crowds imo. Blackpool is by far the worst affected of all the 3B's.
Thanks Tim 🙏
Three B's yet no Bridlington???
A walk on the wild side is a great watch! Steve is quality 👍
@@Carlito-962 🙏🙏🙏
I'm quite surprised at Stephen, taking this guy down the worst road in the whole town. Why not show him Stanley Park and its environs? Every town in the UK is suffering in a similar way to Blackpool. And, come to think of it, the guy might even look a bit closer to home, as LA, San Francisco and even New York are spiralling downwards with rampant crime, out of control immigration and homelessness. Blackpool has no tent cities or areas like Kensington in Philadelphia. Blackpool's HEALTHY in comparison to those places!
I only took them where they wanted to go. The idea was to show them the decline, but they didn’t think it was all that bad.
Stephen and Chris are both legends!
🙏
Awww Stephen is a lovely guy, he is exceptionally popular, and his channel is absolutely fantastic.
@@moonagedaydream4489 Thanks Moonage xx
Yes they are❤
Also, for context, when Steve was explaining the growth as a holiday resort, he should have mentioned the "wakes" and "fairs", when the industry in every town in northern england and in scotland, would close down for a week or fortnight in rotation through the summer, and the whole population would decamp to Blackpool and other seaside resorts for a week
That was when Blackpool was nice, know it's a grotty dump , nobody is gonna spend hundreds of pounds to walk about Blackpool in the rain when they can fly abroad cheaper and be guaranteed sun.
20.30 ' They're from New York ' 😂😂😂
We have had 116 million from government funding that the council have only spent on the town centre its neglected central, south shore. We are still the best seaside town in uk.
20.30 .... ' They're From New York ' 🤣🤣🤣
I noticed that a *Bradford* born *UA-camr* - who mainly tells people he's from *Leeds* like a lot of *Bradfordians,* even though he's from the town of *Keighley* which is in the 141 square mile *City of Bradford,* - interviewed *Chris Higgitt* aka the *Blackpool £1 Burger Man* a couple of weeks ago, although I haven't watched it yet.
However from this video alone, I can tell that *Chris Higgitt* is like a *Blackpool* version of me, as he defends *Blackpool,* just like I defend *Bradford,* plus he has the same views as me.
However I also defend *Blackpool* as *Blackpool* is the best holiday resort in the UK imo, especially for a weekend away, as there's a lot of things to see and do, plus the *Blackpool Pleasure Beach* is easily the best theme park in the UK, and people who disagree have no idea what they're talking about.
@@danielgardecki1046 WELL SAID!
What a fantastic video, it was great that you met Stephen, he really knows all that there is to know about Blackpool and he is a genuinely lovely guy. I was disgusted with the way that Chris Higgitt spoke to you guys when you first met him. Without any doubt at all, if he been aware that you have such a large following on Instagram, he would have been over the top friendly with you both, he always puts on a show if he thinks lots of people are watching him, which is very fake! Look forward to watching more of your videos guys. All the best.
@@rogerpicklesworth1402 Thanks Sir Roger! 🙏🙏🙏
Chris said it how it is.
Chris spoke like I would've spoken if these Americans asked me about my city, and/or asked me to show them around my city.
I know more about my city than anyone, and I challenge anyone to prove otherwise.
The stereotypes in the mainstream media aren't true, yet most of the public believe they are because...
They can't be bothered to check simple facts on somewhere like the Office for National Statistics aka the only official source for UK statistics.
Chris a legend
My house is actually older then Blackpool tower.
Wowsers. Mine is 1930’s, I think
Great video
Burger guy is not Northern - he's West Midlands.
And he's a gobshite. Doesn't listen - talks and talks and talks and thinks he know's everything. I AM from Blackpool and would love him to go home and get out of my hometown.
@@christian1294 I'd love you to leave the UK.
Everything he said was the truth, and I agree with everything he said.
If Trump wins, his burger business will suffer because everyone will be eating cats and dogs 😂
@@danielgardecki1046Nasty comment. He sounds a little Black Country in his inflection.
I'm not BC, but I'm native North Worcestershire, so I recognise the accent. Alison Hammond is from a town not far away.
Like watching a episode of The League of Gentlemen 😂
Pure comedy 😂😂😂
Chris Higgitt for prime minister lol
17:16 *Manchester* and *Liverpool* = Two tiny city's by area, which think they're bigger than they are, as they get all the good media attention, plus they take credits for people, places and things which have nothing to do with them.
*Bradford* = Can fit both *Manchester* and *Liverpool* inside it's borders with room to spare for another small city. Has a bigger population than *Liverpool.* Had a larger population than *Manchester* until 2015, as *Manchester's* population grew by around 160,000 in just 20 years, largely fuelled by propaganda from the mainstream media imo. And is the former *Wool Capital of the World.*
When the 141 square mile *City of Bradford* was the *Wool Capital of the World,* it was one of the richest city's in the world, and was richer than the 1 square mile *City of London* at one point in the late 19th or early 20th century.
Today it is the UK's fourth *City of Culture,* and the world's first *UNESCO City of Film* among other things.
Fun Fact - The stone from *Bradford Dale* area of *Bradford* which built *Bradford City Hall,* is the same stone which built the almost identical *Manchester Town Hall,* which looked even more similar 120+ years ago when the *Titus Salt Memorial* was located at the front of *Bradford City Hall,* just like how the similarly shaped *Albert Memorial* is located at the front of *Manchester Town Hall.*
Did you take him to the swinger's club?.
Next time lol
THERE'S DRUGS EVERY WHERE. EVEN ROYAL ASCOT 😢🎉😢😮😮😮😮😮
Houses of Parliament found high traces all over 😂
Have a good day
Love Chris Higgits comments true to himself and Blackpool .....big respect❤❤❤
EAST ANGLIA COAST IS GETTING LIKE THIS NOW ⚽🥅🏐🌈🙏♥️
Blackpool is not a city. At present city status has to be granted by the Monarch. Blackpool is a town as it hasn't been granted city status.
Chris for prime minister I agree with everything he says what a legend
Barrow in Furness makes Blackpool look like Dubai 😂 Blackpool is dingy and very eerie when you stop looking at the strip but we still go there and it has some nice places outside of fair,Stanley park is probably one of the nicest parks in England,the zoo is very good it’s just a lost town because when it was popular they built big.We was there 2 days ago it was dead in august it was shocking
They make rock in Bridlington at John Bull rock
22.58 Why does Chris Higgitt have two old Grey telephones on his wall , is he taking telephone orders for his Burgers ? 🍔😂
The golden mile is from the pleasure beach to tbe tower
Kanny beat blackpool summer's are always good quality place with quality people that's one from craig mccarthy
yellow bingo along the front is my favourite
Chris hit the nail on the head, I had a great upbringing in Blackpool in the 60's sad to say but it's gone to the dogs.
It's certainly gone to the dogs , some areas look like a war zone , a ghetto.
@@davidGPS95name one of those areas, if you can.
@@DarrenGregg-j3e Bond Street , Waterloo Road , Lytham road , Dale Street .
@@davidGPS95 Waterloo road looks like a war zone? How exactly?? I've never seen any fighting or trouble there. Dale Street is a bit run down but has a certain charm, and bond street is another where I've never seen anything particularly bad. You really don't know what you're talking about, do you? You're one of those people who is probably negative about EVERYTHING.
@@DarrenGregg-j3e I have been visiting Blackpool for over 40 years , I love Blackpool and I have seen a decline over the years , yes some parts of Blackpool are lovely but some streets and buildings look awful, have you seen how bad Bond street has become? It used to be a lovely street with lots of shops , Waterloo road was the same lots of nice shops , a post office, indoor markets , now it's horrible shops like Cash converters , also full poverty drunks and junkies and it's sad .
Dale Street only has a couple of decent shops and cafes but it used to be busy with lovely shops , it has really went downhill there are horrible looking empty buildings and empty guest houses that have been lying in that state for years.
Lytham road is the worst , another road that used to look nice with shops and guest houses not now , there are building new houses near that horrible looking pub The Crazy scots so let's hope it gets better.
If I sound negative it's because I love Blackpool and I hate to see it go downhill, the council have forgotten about it , where has all the money gone that Blackpool has made over the years ?
Btw Blackpool is not a city it’s a town….
There isn’t any high rises or penthouses. To find the luxury side go to Saint Ann’s.
I like Bpool, we stop north hotels, nice. Agree with that man saying all these Docu. tend to interview down and outs who understandably have a low opinion. Bpool went down in 80s when grand shows were put on like Canon Ball, Russ Abbott etc stoped coming.
Agree used to have great British comedy in Blackpool in theaters and Piers now it's that horrible Far Right trouble maker Katie Hopkins.😮 That's how desperate Blackpool has become.
@@davidGPS95 *theatres
@@danielgardecki1046 Typing error when not using my reading glasses 🕶️
Thanks for letting me know 🙄
@@davidGPS95 Of course it was. You can't even put a sentence together, as each one of your 10+ comments contains grammar mistakes.
@@danielgardecki1046 you sad little man , is that all you can say ?
Your probably a Higgitt fan boy .
All of uk gone down hill sadly
We visit Blackpool at least 9 times a year, its a great place, but it is run down. Its goid that you met Stephen, what he doesn't know about Blackpool, isnt worth knowing. Xxxx
Would love to see something on south shields. It generally can be a lovely town... but.. crime here seems so bad now... and the obviousness of the drugs gangs/issues really is big now. Think petrol bombing peoples houses at 4 am and teens walking around with those bomb things thay gwt hidden underground and go off if you step on them...
i visited Blackpool in 1996 and 1997 during the 6 weeks school summer holidays. This was when they had real video Arcade games everywhere in Blackpool, i spent everyday going to different arcades there playing from literally morning until night when we had to go back to the Hotel. its one of the happiest memories and times of my life
Spending summer days in a gaming arcade ? - - say no more what a waste of life
@@rob5197 fucking braindead or something
The Burger Guy is Fantastic, he was spot on about everything
He should go into politics-I’d vote for him!
And yeah don’t disrespect Blackpool it’s Great
No its absolutely leeds atm its absolute fallen
You picked the perfect person to show you around Stephen is the king of Blackpool and Chris Higgitt should stand for prime minister 👍
Thanks Wayne 🙏
Totally agree Wayne, what Stephen doesn't know about Blackpool could be written on the back of a stamp. Lovely guy, fantastic channel!
Thank you Wayne! We were lucky to get some of their time. Great perspectives
@@moonagedaydream4489 Thanks Moonage xx
@@moonagedaydream4489 I've written "Steve doesn't realise that other UK seaside resorts make rock too" on the back of a stamp.
Is there any bag houses in Blackpool? Here now and dying 😅
Comparing Blackpool strip to Las Vegas strip 😂😂😂😂
Blackpool is very nice compared with most places in the UK
Are you sane??! 😊
They make rock in great Yarmouth I watched them do it lol 😂
By the way God bless Chris. Gotta love you mate from Australia 🇦🇺
Steve walk on the wild style! Fantastic UA-camr!
🙏🙏🙏
Blackpool is not a city its a town
Excellent driving for a yank.
99% of money stays inside London
Remaining 1% is spread across rest of UK
Motorcyclists racing around UK towns a massive problem across UK
Funny they can't see there the problem
I used to ride a motorbike. At 68, I can't get my leg over (the saddle) like I used to.
We used to have dirty looks, suspicious attitudes and were banned from many pubs, but we never caused trouble.
These lads are having fun, I just hope they ride safely. Most motorcycle accidents are caused by car drivers
You guys didn't go on a night out?!
You can't document Blackpool without going on a night out and say it's the full picture. The nightlife is why most people go to Blackpool. That's like going to Vegas or Miami and just showing it during the day.
£1 burger man is a nob. Did he lose his teeth cause he didn’t brush them? Such a rude opinion of the homeless. Div!!
20 million visitors a year
Blackpool is a town.
Careful Stephen cheatley that hand may bite you.
City???
THEY ALSO MAKE ROCK IN YORKSHIRE NEAR BRIDLINGTON AT JOHN BULL FACTORY.
Actually they do make rock else we're, at John Bulls in Bridlington , very famous.
not a city. a town!
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Was there a few weeks ago place is gone delapitated big time needs a major overhaul big time lol 😊
Whoes the camera man 😅
Gareth Southgate... why it was so bottled
Blackpool not a city its a town just a BIG Town