Frank Swift, the footballer on the blue plaque, was the goalkeeper for Manchester City and England. His career spanned before, during and after the War. He won the FA Cup and League Championship with City and uniquely captained England on one occasion from the goal. He was born and lived in Ibbison Street, a very narrow terraced street, further up Central Drive. Big Frank was 6ft 2 inches tall. He had huge hands and could pick up a football with one hand. After retiring he became a football journalist with the News of the World. He attended Manchester United’s game in Munich and tragically died aged 44 in the air disaster.
The timber circle at ibbitson court is for locals to have barbecues in nice weather the fences will be removed when it's done. The blue car is not abandoned the little garage behind next to firwood builders own it, they park cars on there they are doing thing to.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane Stephen down to the ground where once stood the Mecca. Tiffany's had the best floor I ever danced on. It was really huge in the main ballroom. I remember going up the escalators to get to the ballroom. The ladies cloakroom was very grand. There were gilt mirrors on the wall with plush velvet sofas and carpeting. I was never in the Highland room which was above the main ballroom. But the Northern Soul nights were legendary,
My mum ran a guest house on Louise street in the 90s. i spent 7 years there. Central drive was great back then. The sense of community was strong. Whenever i wanted to find someone, i'd always pop into the George pub and inevitably i'd spot someone i knew who would tell me if they'd seen who i was looking for. Great times. so sad to see it now.
I grew up in this exact area, Ribble Road to be exact. When I moved in, in the early 80s, Central Drive was like a small village area, with butchers, newsagents, key cutting/shoe repair shop, restaurants (proper restaurants), two taxi offices (C/J cabs), there was a sub-post office in the building to the right of the library right on Ribble Road, the Bengal Curry house was across from it, an Amoco automatic car wash was under the Mecca building/car park. The shope at the bottom of Belmont avenue was a pet store, the shop at the bottom of Ashton Road was Benfells HiFi, on the corner opposite was a sweet shop, there was a mix of privately owned businesses including clothing stores, electronics shops, jewellers and cafes all the way along. I remember directly outside the house you said had a dirty front door, there was a cement drain (when it had paving flags) that if you were savvy enough (as a kid) you could pull coins out that had been dropped and rolled in…using two wooden lollipop sticks, one of my favorite tricks 😊 Revoe park had a big flat-topped roundabout that you could lay on, friends and I used to play on there for hours. Corton Beach opposite was a VW car dealership with Harry Feeney Nissan around the corner - opposite the car wash. It was a completely different place than it is today, I’m sure even when I was a kid it had known better times too. There must be questions asked about the steep decline of Blackpool in particular, especially given its history. These things do not happen without reason. In my humble opinion, this has all been engineered by a succession of people who have had too much influence and a penchant for greed.
I remember the guys there…Brian, Darren and a younger fella named Dom, plus Mike who was either the manager or owner of the place. Benfells moved to what was formerly Fylde Coachworks on Hawes Side Lane in front of the park. I think I saw it was houses there now from one of your videos with the old bingo hall being demolished. I only remember it so clearly because I used to date a beautiful redhead who lived around the corner 😉 So many little treasures have been lost in the streets of Blackpool, I’d love to go for a walk around the place with you next time I visit 👍🏻
Hi Stephen, a great video. I really enjoyed it. It was good to do the walkalong with you. I know youve done Central Drive before, but each time, i see something new. Thanks for showing us Stephen. See you next time.xxxx
Hi loved the beginning of the video and the music it was very relaxing I never get tired of you walking along the prom people watching, I really wish I could be there and i remember St chads hotel and the demolition of it, I remember when I was at school at Harvest festival we had to take food to school and we would take it to pensioners they was always grateful for it ❤
I remember the underground toilets at Talbot Square. Attendant always on duty there. Very clean and amazing green and cream wall tiles. You could have a proper wash for a few pence.
Hi Stephen thanks for showing us an area to avoid.... Only a week until my stay at the Carlton, looking forwars to a long weekend break! Will you be vlogging the fireworks this Saturday, should be a good event! Until the next one...
Evening Stephen, I remember as a little kid staying at a guest house on Westmoreland avenue, that's how far back from the front the hotels and guest houses used to go and they were full as well. It used to be a nice well kept area as I remember. I will have to go back one day and have a look. Looking at the central drive area I don't have great hopes of it being the same. Brilliant video mate, cheers.
Thanks for the walk along Central Drive i used to go to the Brunswick Club many years ago if you weren't there early you didn't get in either downstairs or upstairs i always went upstairs it isn't anything like the club it used to be take care and i look forward to the next vlog 👍
Good evening George,hope you've had a better day and feel ok. I'm not too bad now. Got theatre tomorrow then tea out with the menfolk again, be nice afternoon and evening. Keep well George have a good weekend ,spk soon bye for now 😊x
@@hazelmanship7516 Good evening Hazel I'm glad that you're feeling a bit better I'm feeling better myself I'm going to try and go tomorrow to get a passport photo for my railcard which I'll need to get to Blackpool i hope you enjoy the theatre and tea tomorrow 2nd night of fireworks tomorrow take care and i hope to speak to you soon
There used to be three mobile homes there with front gates and a garden wall. I knew a guy from school who used to live in a caravan round there, nearer to the Mecca I think.
Athertons carpets was owned by Bernie Atherton it's been going since the 70's he was good friends with my dad, He had 2 sons who were carpet fitters the shop across the road is Dougie Atherton, I can't remember name of his other son, He had a shop on Lytham road facing albert pub.
Always get a warm glow inside whenever the Castle pub appears in your vlogs. Had some wonderful times in that raucous place. Deserving of a vlog in its own right. Saturday afternoon in the Castle - i dare you, Stephen.
Frank Swift died in the Munich air disaster in 1958, Frank played football I think for man city and England, when he retired from football, went into the newspapers, reporting on the football teams, he was covering man utd being one of the first teams in Europe, sadly dying in Munich when plane tried to take off with icy wings, killing 8 man utd players
Thanks for the video Stephen, that ramshackle building near the football ground reminds me of the old pre fabs that my gran lived in in Scotland. Surprised the car hasn't been stripped down for parts, round our way it would be. Mecca dancing used to have Northern Soul nights and the odd Dayer on Sundays if I remember rightly.😊😊😊
Hello Stephen. That was an interesting video. It does look a bit rundown around the football stadium but will look much better when the ground has been extended. On top of that there is some really lovely looking old buildings in Blackpool that the Victorians built. Well done.
Remember staying at the King Edwards Apartments many, many years ago. They were nice. Shame how the area has gone downhill. Let's hope any refurbishment gives it a new lease of life. Thanks Stephen xx
I live on central drive over from the Chinese, house with the green windows. You will notice its not looking up to scratch after I put the new frames in was about the time they started building the un wanted carpark at the end of the biggest carpark in Europe. Well that diverted all the traffic up/down central drive and our block between the green by the library & the waste land gets constantly shaken with the coaches,lorries bombing past to get through the lights before they change. We have got cracks I. Our coving walls & in my house bang in the middle the 12 inch timber support in the roof has cracked. The council will not slow traffic down in any way, speed bumps even though they are further up the drive, speed cameras or digital slow your speed. We our wasting money plastering as it cracks. Leaving us living in run down looking property. The piling from building the swift hound in 2000 ,the cinema then demolishing the pub, steals then again piling has caused sink holes like behind the chinese the footpath next to chinese.as your videos say central drive was really nice area leading up to town. You did a clip with American lads but didn't explain why the property by King Edward pub where derelict or the cop shop is coming down for the super attraction. Shopping arcade ect. The council has blown 116 million pounds on the town centre while totally leaving the rest of blackpool behind
The purse shop is run by a lovely lady. i use it when in town but i think she is only open during the season there is water damage to the ceiling inside and has had concerns with regards anyone breaking in upstairs to the derelict properties and if they light a fire.
Hi Stephen thank you for another great video as always very interesting and informative there are quiet a few roads that have a fair few trees good to see have a great evening xx
There is a brilliant old picture of Central Drive heading North. It's all fields and in the distance you see the library and The George on the hill. No Tower. Used to have a copy of it in a shop window on Central Drive. Can someone find it.
When I lived in Blackpool, I used to use the Central Wash laundrette, they are good people. Is it still open Stephen? Its shocking that the st georges apartments have been unused for several years mate.
I like Blackpool, we go most years for a few days. But I think there's a good reason the Blackpool tourist board don't advertise the bits you've showed us here. It looks so run down, all the cash spent on the promenade and not much else by the look of it.
@mikebryan7060 finally someone who doesn't dlag the drive off. Today's people don't know how central drive was. We have had our house since the 60 s. Shops galore & always full. This council has spent 116 million pounds in the 5 /6 years all around the town centre & totally neglected every where else.
The Stevonia Cafe has been there for donkeys years. James Hanratty, the A6 Murderer, was captured there by Blackpool Police. He arrived at Central Station, walked across the road and into the Stevonia for a cup of tea. He was arrested within 20 minutes of arriving in Blackpool. Those were the days when the police walked the beat and knew where to keep an eye on.
I remember those my husband once got ripped off in Bridlington..Think he gave them £5 and all he got a cheap watch that could have been bought from a market stall. Bearing in mind £5 was a lot when I'm talking about...Yes when shutters was open it showed people get lots of electrical things and watches. They was very popular in the 70s 80s..They wouldn't dare do it these days as someone would put them in hospital.
Oh no!!!!! You said beer monsters at 11:00. Thats bound to conjure them up, you said the fateful words Stephen. They are lurking in the unseen spaces...........!😂😂😂😂😂😂🍻🤪 Walking past some of the shops, i notice they do not have shutters. I find this unusually heart warming these days, as they do add an ugliness to any streets.😮
The underground toilets in Mansfield use to be under the town hall, Visited on occasions for a pee, Disgusting to say the least, The ones at Skeg were also disgusting.
I remember working at the old William Hill opp The George. A guy came in with a cucumber in a carrier bag threatening to hold me up. I told him to do one and he lived down my rd Rydal anyway. He realised it was me and said Sorry Thea chuck. Idiot. He went back over to the George.
Had a look on Google Street View, looks like the Mecca was gone by May 2009. Was hoping to see a view in its final incarnation. Street View doesn't go any further back on Central Drive.
It is so sad that Blackpool council have let central drive get into the state it has. They need to get their finger out, it’s no good putting all that money into the centre and the car parking areas and leaving the rest an eyesore. Thanks for sharing xx
@judymcgovern8454 I've been telling them that for ages, we have had our house on the drive for over 60 years. So you can imagine how mad we are at how it's become, blackpool as a whole is laughing stock.
Good evening Stephen, thanks for the walk around, some bits of rough buildings around, shame ,but good they're doing buildings up. Are you doing filming of the fireworks tomorrow? I'll have to catch it later as I'm at the theatre, take care and have a great weekend. Thanks again your knowledge is great. Stay safe bye for now 😊x
@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool ok Stephen thank you, look forward to catching up on Sunday with them have a great night hope weather stays good,take care 😊🎆🎇🧨
Hi Stephen, I think I saw that abandoned car advertised for sale and it said in the advert that it had been to the Moon and back ? I’ll have to ask Starman how many miles that is lol Also that circular disc thing where the George Pub was I think somebody is trying to tell you - it’s your round ! Lol
They started knocking down the Mecca Building in 2009. They got about half way and then everything stopped when the College Campus plan collapsed. I saw Suzi Quatro play there in 1998 when the club was called Someplace Else. Another short-lived club that tried to revive the venue. At some point please can you give me a shout out. I'm Rob Brook in Birkenhead.
Some places could arguably look better in the sunshine. Central Drive just couldn’t. It needs totally levelling and starting again. Utterly depressing for a town as well known as Blackpool. Labour counsellors should be ashamed. 😮
Where is the money coming from do do all this ? It's hardly going to attract visitors ,even if the area is redeveloped. If it is improved it will probably be houses & flats . So Blackpool will become more residential, with less shops .
@@stevenwade7466 It’s a sign of the times. People’s shopping habits have changed. Retail isn’t what it was, thanks to the internet or supermarkets and there’ll never be the critical mass of people visiting Blackpool like there was in its heyday. It’s a lose, lose situation I think. So much money has been spent on the promenade, which looks amazing - and the new tram station at Blackpool North, which was an optimistic plan to encourage more visitors. Central drive may become more residential but the state it’s in now is nothing short of depressing.
Hi Stephen excellent video of central drive it needs a lot of work needs done you are right with amount of hairdresser down central drive it use to be a good place to shop years ago this development needs to start right away I blame the council for this they buy property's and don't do anything with them thanks Stephen excellent video take care pal from Keith
Mickey Finns must be the worst place I've had something to eat.. It's no more a traditional fish and chips shop than I'm an astronaut..Awful Place or Plaice 🤣
Some great old buildings and plenty of neglect for decades unfortunately Needs painting and water pressure cleaning everywhere place is disgustingly dirty !
We have just got back after spending most of the day in Blackpool we thought we would grab the good weather before it changes back to normal it was quiet busy with people out shopping a also the sand pipes buskers were just passed the tower dance round with the feather headdress on before we went home we went for a £1 burger at Mr higgitt place looking the traffic was not to bad on the way home to ashton in makerfield
Enjoyed the video good work I was impressed when I checked out the football ground seems a very very community orientated club must call into the Armfield on my next visit always take a stroll down Central Drive so much wasted potential imo always enjoy a beer in the King Edward some interesting characters in there & always made welcome keep up the good work 👍
I remember the black bag sales. Never bought from them Trotter Inc for sure. Con men and women. Dodgy watches, radios, kettles. Plus lots of tableware that was 3rds 4ths and 5ths. .......not even seconds. It was s£!te. 😂
Frank Swift, the footballer on the blue plaque, was the goalkeeper for Manchester City and England. His career spanned before, during and after the War. He won the FA Cup and League Championship with City and uniquely captained England on one occasion from the goal.
He was born and lived in Ibbison Street, a very narrow terraced street, further up Central Drive.
Big Frank was 6ft 2 inches tall. He had huge hands and could pick up a football with one hand.
After retiring he became a football journalist with the News of the World. He attended Manchester United’s game in Munich and tragically died aged 44 in the air disaster.
His mum was called Alice and had a brother called Fred who played for Bolton.
Back when football was a proper game Blood N mud my coach used to say ♥️🏐🥅⚽💙
What a shame. Hope he didn't suffer. God bless x
Another great local history lesson.Thanks Mr Blackpool
The timber circle at ibbitson court is for locals to have barbecues in nice weather the fences will be removed when it's done. The blue car is not abandoned the little garage behind next to firwood builders own it, they park cars on there they are doing thing to.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane Stephen down to the ground where once stood the Mecca. Tiffany's had the best floor I ever danced on. It was really huge in the main ballroom. I remember going up the escalators to get to the ballroom. The ladies cloakroom was very grand. There were gilt mirrors on the wall with plush velvet sofas and carpeting. I was never in the Highland room which was above the main ballroom. But the Northern Soul nights were legendary,
Another great video
My mum ran a guest house on Louise street in the 90s. i spent 7 years there. Central drive was great back then. The sense of community was strong. Whenever i wanted to find someone, i'd always pop into the George pub and inevitably i'd spot someone i knew who would tell me if they'd seen who i was looking for. Great times. so sad to see it now.
Really enjoyed the video Stephen, thankyou👍👍
Thanks Carol 👍
I grew up in this exact area, Ribble Road to be exact.
When I moved in, in the early 80s, Central Drive was like a small village area, with butchers, newsagents, key cutting/shoe repair shop, restaurants (proper restaurants), two taxi offices (C/J cabs), there was a sub-post office in the building to the right of the library right on Ribble Road, the Bengal Curry house was across from it, an Amoco automatic car wash was under the Mecca building/car park. The shope at the bottom of Belmont avenue was a pet store, the shop at the bottom of Ashton Road was Benfells HiFi, on the corner opposite was a sweet shop, there was a mix of privately owned businesses including clothing stores, electronics shops, jewellers and cafes all the way along.
I remember directly outside the house you said had a dirty front door, there was a cement drain (when it had paving flags) that if you were savvy enough (as a kid) you could pull coins out that had been dropped and rolled in…using two wooden lollipop sticks, one of my favorite tricks 😊
Revoe park had a big flat-topped roundabout that you could lay on, friends and I used to play on there for hours. Corton Beach opposite was a VW car dealership with Harry Feeney Nissan around the corner - opposite the car wash.
It was a completely different place than it is today, I’m sure even when I was a kid it had known better times too.
There must be questions asked about the steep decline of Blackpool in particular, especially given its history.
These things do not happen without reason.
In my humble opinion, this has all been engineered by a succession of people who have had too much influence and a penchant for greed.
I remember a few of those places, but I'd forgotten all about Benfell's HiFi.
I remember the guys there…Brian, Darren and a younger fella named Dom, plus Mike who was either the manager or owner of the place. Benfells moved to what was formerly Fylde Coachworks on Hawes Side Lane in front of the park. I think I saw it was houses there now from one of your videos with the old bingo hall being demolished. I only remember it so clearly because I used to date a beautiful redhead who lived around the corner 😉
So many little treasures have been lost in the streets of Blackpool, I’d love to go for a walk around the place with you next time I visit 👍🏻
Some interesting facts about Blackpool it's a shame that so many small shops are closed in not just Blackpool but most towns now.
I lived on Rydal Avenue for nearly 18 years. Was handy for town as I worked in Prudential house Topping Street. X
Thank you Stephen I loved your early morning walk about good stuff as usual ❤
Hi Stephen, a great video. I really enjoyed it. It was good to do the walkalong with you. I know youve done Central Drive before, but each time, i see something new.
Thanks for showing us Stephen. See you next time.xxxx
Thanks for the walk about Stephen and history of the area. Most enjoyable, stay safe my friend.
Glad you enjoyed it Daniel
Thank you Stephen, another interesting video.
An old railwayman I used to work with said they used to stable steam trains working Central station in the holiday season as far away as Bolton.
Thanks Stephen, nice little walk about.
Hi loved the beginning of the video and the music it was very relaxing I never get tired of you walking along the prom people watching, I really wish I could be there and i remember St chads hotel and the demolition of it, I remember when I was at school at Harvest festival we had to take food to school and we would take it to pensioners they was always grateful for it ❤
I remember the underground toilets at Talbot Square. Attendant always on duty there. Very clean and amazing green and cream wall tiles. You could have a proper wash for a few pence.
Hi Stephen thanks for showing us an area to avoid.... Only a week until my stay at the Carlton, looking forwars to a long weekend break!
Will you be vlogging the fireworks this Saturday, should be a good event! Until the next one...
Evening Stephen, I remember as a little kid staying at a guest house on Westmoreland avenue, that's how far back from the front the hotels and guest houses used to go and they were full as well. It used to be a nice well kept area as I remember. I will have to go back one day and have a look. Looking at the central drive area I don't have great hopes of it being the same. Brilliant video mate, cheers.
Hi stephen my friend thank's again for another wonderfull video my friend . Keep up the good work and stay safe .
Thanks for the walk along Central Drive i used to go to the Brunswick Club many years ago if you weren't there early you didn't get in either downstairs or upstairs i always went upstairs it isn't anything like the club it used to be take care and i look forward to the next vlog 👍
It’s great that the building survived. Many have disappeared.
Good evening George,hope you've had a better day and feel ok. I'm not too bad now. Got theatre tomorrow then tea out with the menfolk again, be nice afternoon and evening. Keep well George have a good weekend ,spk soon bye for now 😊x
@@hazelmanship7516 Good evening Hazel I'm glad that you're feeling a bit better I'm feeling better myself I'm going to try and go tomorrow to get a passport photo for my railcard which I'll need to get to Blackpool i hope you enjoy the theatre and tea tomorrow 2nd night of fireworks tomorrow take care and i hope to speak to you soon
@@georgesmellie8717 thanks spk soon 😊x
Stephen that central bargains shop was Green dolphin restaurant in the 70's
Rather than a caravan Steven, that building in the beginning looks more interesting, in that it actually looks like an old prefab!
Yes you are right about the building being a prefab .Can't remember if there were two or three, but my friend lived in one in the early 80s.
Thanks for confirming it, Not many of them left now@@paulineboriss3365
Thank you for another interesting walk around Stephen. I think you know every street in Blackpool. hope you have a nice weekend xxx
There used to be three mobile homes there with front gates and a garden wall. I knew a guy from school who used to live in a caravan round there, nearer to the Mecca I think.
Evenin 7.30am ! 😂 it looks a bit rough there the Beautiful building of the library no beer monsters today till the next one 😊
Thanks for sharing Stephen I really appreciate it😊
Athertons carpets was owned by Bernie Atherton it's been going since the 70's he was good friends with my dad, He had 2 sons who were carpet fitters the shop across the road is Dougie Atherton, I can't remember name of his other son, He had a shop on Lytham road facing albert pub.
Below NCP was a esso petrol forecourt and at the side on Rigby road was drive through car wash, They car park was pulled down around 1996
Always get a warm glow inside whenever the Castle pub appears in your vlogs. Had some wonderful times in that raucous place. Deserving of a vlog in its own right. Saturday afternoon in the Castle - i dare you, Stephen.
Might chicken out of that one lol
My first job was in a garage down ' Back Henry Steet'
Paul Rogers Motors.
I used to get my fish from blue lagoon
Great video ❤️👍 changed so much over the years
Frank Swift died in the Munich air disaster in 1958, Frank played football I think for man city and England, when he retired from football, went into the newspapers, reporting on the football teams, he was covering man utd being one of the first teams in Europe, sadly dying in Munich when plane tried to take off with icy wings, killing 8 man utd players
Imagine if that car wasn't abandoned but being used for dogging 😂😂😂
Evening Stephen its Friday evening 707pm just watched your video thanks for taking us round blackpool again from Michelle in Nottingham
Glad you enjoyed it Michelle
Thanks for the video Stephen, that ramshackle building near the football ground reminds me of the old pre fabs that my gran lived in in Scotland. Surprised the car hasn't been stripped down for parts, round our way it would be. Mecca dancing used to have Northern Soul nights and the odd Dayer on Sundays if I remember rightly.😊😊😊
Thank you, memory lane had a family member own a guest house down Tavistock st opposite the joke shop.
Hello Stephen. That was an interesting video. It does look a bit rundown around the football stadium but will look much better when the ground has been extended. On top of that there is some really lovely looking old buildings in Blackpool that the Victorians built. Well done.
I went on the Blackpool Open Spion Kop many times with my Club Walsall FC .Of course many of us make a Weekend of it.
Remember staying at the King Edwards Apartments many, many years ago. They were nice. Shame how the area has gone downhill. Let's hope any refurbishment gives it a new lease of life. Thanks Stephen xx
😊😊 happy Saturday morning Steven it is 1 30 am at the moment have a good day 🎉
thanks Stephen for another great video
Stephen, take a look along Queen Victoria Road, the houses are really up and down with subsidence, make an interesting vid 👍
@@arfabarmcake2776 I know. I did mention it on a video, but it was a good while ago. They are very higgledy piggeldy.
I live on central drive over from the Chinese, house with the green windows. You will notice its not looking up to scratch after I put the new frames in was about the time they started building the un wanted carpark at the end of the biggest carpark in Europe. Well that diverted all the traffic up/down central drive and our block between the green by the library & the waste land gets constantly shaken with the coaches,lorries bombing past to get through the lights before they change. We have got cracks I. Our coving walls & in my house bang in the middle the 12 inch timber support in the roof has cracked. The council will not slow traffic down in any way, speed bumps even though they are further up the drive, speed cameras or digital slow your speed. We our wasting money plastering as it cracks. Leaving us living in run down looking property. The piling from building the swift hound in 2000 ,the cinema then demolishing the pub, steals then again piling has caused sink holes like behind the chinese the footpath next to chinese.as your videos say central drive was really nice area leading up to town. You did a clip with American lads but didn't explain why the property by King Edward pub where derelict or the cop shop is coming down for the super attraction. Shopping arcade ect. The council has blown 116 million pounds on the town centre while totally leaving the rest of blackpool behind
Thanks for the info. Sounds like a nightmare.
The purse shop is run by a lovely lady. i use it when in town but i think she is only open during the season there is water damage to the ceiling inside and has had concerns with regards anyone breaking in upstairs to the derelict properties and if they light a fire.
Hi Stephen thank you for another great video as always very interesting and informative there are quiet a few roads that have a fair few trees good to see have a great evening xx
Glad you enjoyed it Wendy x
I'll be going to Blackpool tomorrow for the fireworks again, and the other lot in 2 weeks. Weather's gonna be good for the weekend so thats a bonus.
Great stuff
Very interesting keep up the good work Stephen
Gday Steven, Beer monsters you mean dunks don't you? I enjoyed the history lesson👍🤗
Yes, thanks Peter
There is a brilliant old picture of Central Drive heading North. It's all fields and in the distance you see the library and The George on the hill. No Tower. Used to have a copy of it in a shop window on Central Drive. Can someone find it.
I have seen that amazing picture Thea.
@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool it is beautiful x
Nice one Mr Blackpool
When I lived in Blackpool, I used to use the Central Wash laundrette, they are good people. Is it still open Stephen? Its shocking that the st georges apartments have been unused for several years mate.
Frank Swift,football ace and correspondent who died in the Munich air disaster.🙏
The toilets were the prettiest building in the entire video
Haven Foods supply local takeaways with packaging, drinks, food etc. You have to go round the back!
I bought my first house on orme street many years a go
I had a friend who used to live in William Regal’s old house, the wrestler who made it big in USA.
Frank swift was goalkeeper at man city for 16years he died at the Munich air disaster where he was a reporter.
I like Blackpool, we go most years for a few days. But I think there's a good reason the Blackpool tourist board don't advertise the bits you've showed us here. It looks so run down, all the cash spent on the promenade and not much else by the look of it.
Good balanced video. Central Drive is not all bad as your vlog shows. Please review the Stevonia and the Palma Cafe. Thanks once again Stephen.
@mikebryan7060 finally someone who doesn't dlag the drive off. Today's people don't know how central drive was. We have had our house since the 60 s.
Shops galore & always full. This council has spent 116 million pounds in the 5 /6 years all around the town centre & totally neglected every where else.
The Stevonia Cafe has been there for donkeys years. James Hanratty, the A6 Murderer, was captured there by Blackpool Police. He arrived at Central Station, walked across the road and into the Stevonia for a cup of tea. He was arrested within 20 minutes of arriving in Blackpool.
Those were the days when the police walked the beat and knew where to keep an eye on.
I have mentioned the A6 murderer a few times on videos when passing the Stevonia.
OMG I remember the black bag sales, you went in and they closed the shutters until they had finished the sales.
I remember those my husband once got ripped off in Bridlington..Think he gave them £5 and all he got a cheap watch that could have been bought from a market stall. Bearing in mind £5 was a lot when I'm talking about...Yes when shutters was open it showed people get lots of electrical things and watches.
They was very popular in the 70s 80s..They wouldn't dare do it these days as someone would put them in hospital.
Nice walk around!
Where’s the best chippy in. Blackpool I’m going for couple days in October
Have a good
Teame.
Nice Oce Pal .
Thanks 👍
Oh no!!!!!
You said beer monsters at 11:00. Thats bound to conjure them up, you said the fateful words Stephen. They are lurking in the unseen spaces...........!😂😂😂😂😂😂🍻🤪
Walking past some of the shops, i notice they do not have shutters. I find this unusually heart warming these days, as they do add an ugliness to any streets.😮
Ibbison court was built around 1978 before then it was Ibbison street terrace houses.
Stephen can you remember what use to be at bottom of Rydal ave ? There were 2 businesses dating back to the 70's
Nice one, Stephen. Glad you got the prison toilets in 😅😅😅
Always!
I’m sure there’s a Blue plaque in Ibisen court ?
The underground toilets in Mansfield use to be under the town hall, Visited on occasions for a pee, Disgusting to say the least, The ones at Skeg were also disgusting.
Central Drive - and Blackpool more generally - very resistant to gentrification. Let's be honest, it's never going to be a Brighton or St Ives.
Yes.
I remember working at the old William Hill opp The George. A guy came in with a cucumber in a carrier bag threatening to hold me up. I told him to do one and he lived down my rd Rydal anyway. He realised it was me and said Sorry Thea chuck. Idiot. He went back over to the George.
The Labour council have abandoned Central Drive and the surrounding areas. Low stock housing is now being filled with migrants.
Had a look on Google Street View, looks like the Mecca was gone by May 2009. Was hoping to see a view in its final incarnation. Street View doesn't go any further back on Central Drive.
Boo
It is so sad that Blackpool council have let central drive get into the state it has. They need to get their finger out, it’s no good putting all that money into the centre and the car parking areas and leaving the rest an eyesore. Thanks for sharing xx
@judymcgovern8454 I've been telling them that for ages, we have had our house on the drive for over 60 years. So you can imagine how mad we are at how it's become, blackpool as a whole is laughing stock.
Good evening Stephen, thanks for the walk around, some bits of rough buildings around, shame ,but good they're doing buildings up.
Are you doing filming of the fireworks tomorrow? I'll have to catch it later as I'm at the theatre, take care and have a great weekend. Thanks again your knowledge is great. Stay safe bye for now 😊x
I should be doing the fireworks on Saturday night Hazel.
@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool ok Stephen thank you, look forward to catching up on Sunday with them have a great night hope weather stays good,take care 😊🎆🎇🧨
"More upmarket area of Central Drive". That's a low bar.
Yes forbes & Lowes
Thanks 🙏
reove library ia called gymnasium by the buses
People should be asking where all their taxes are going.
Certainly NOT on infrastructure.
hi 👋 Stephen❤👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Stephen can you remember what car make was at Gorton beech car sales in the 80's ?
Toyota?
@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool No Toyota was Harry Feeney on Bloomfield road.
@@mub_lana69 Mazda
@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool Volkswagen, Where the car wash is now and the pumps at the back was the full length of the show room
@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool Mazda centre was on newton drive just before no3 pub on same side, Houses/flats are their now.
Hi Stephen, I think I saw that abandoned car advertised for sale and it said in the advert that it had been to the Moon and back ?
I’ll have to ask Starman how many miles that is lol
Also that circular disc thing where the George Pub was I think somebody is trying to tell you - it’s your round ! Lol
Looks like it was a hire car as it had a sticker with diesel on the fuel cap.
@@AWalkontheWildSideBlackpool
It wasn’t the MacMasters car then, cos his has Electric on his fuel cap ! Lol
They started knocking down the Mecca Building in 2009. They got about half way and then everything stopped when the College Campus plan collapsed. I saw Suzi Quatro play there in 1998 when the club was called Someplace Else. Another short-lived club that tried to revive the venue. At some point please can you give me a shout out. I'm Rob Brook in Birkenhead.
Evening Steve... From doncaster
Some places could arguably look better in the sunshine. Central Drive just couldn’t. It needs totally levelling and starting again. Utterly depressing for a town as well known as Blackpool. Labour counsellors should be ashamed. 😮
Where is the money coming from do do all this ? It's hardly going to attract visitors ,even if the area is redeveloped. If it is improved it will probably be houses & flats . So Blackpool will become more residential, with less shops .
@@stevenwade7466 It’s a sign of the times. People’s shopping habits have changed. Retail isn’t what it was, thanks to the internet or supermarkets and there’ll never be the critical mass of people visiting Blackpool like there was in its heyday. It’s a lose, lose situation I think. So much money has been spent on the promenade, which looks amazing - and the new tram station at Blackpool North, which was an optimistic plan to encourage more visitors. Central drive may become more residential but the state it’s in now is nothing short of depressing.
Hi Stephen excellent video of central drive it needs a lot of work needs done you are right with amount of hairdresser down central drive it use to be a good place to shop years ago this development needs to start right away I blame the council for this they buy property's and don't do anything with them thanks Stephen excellent video take care pal from Keith
Labour feel shame??
A lot of people won’t be attending the fireworks tomorrow night as it clashing with anthony joshua fight at wembley
Mickey Finns must be the worst place I've had something to eat.. It's no more a traditional fish and chips shop than I'm an astronaut..Awful Place or Plaice 🤣
😂😂😂😂😂That so made me laugh ❤
Hi Stephen
I think Central Drive is decent, You can get a haircut, A takeaway and some beers one door along from each other.
Some great old buildings and plenty of neglect for decades unfortunately
Needs painting and water pressure cleaning everywhere place is disgustingly dirty !
We have just got back after spending most of the day in Blackpool we thought we would grab the good weather before it changes back to normal it was quiet busy with people out shopping a also the sand pipes buskers were just passed the tower dance round with the feather headdress on before we went home we went for a £1 burger at Mr higgitt place looking the traffic was not to bad on the way home to ashton in makerfield
Quiet busy? Hmmm.
Enjoyed the video good work I was impressed when I checked out the football ground seems a very very community orientated club must call into the Armfield on my next visit always take a stroll down Central Drive so much wasted potential imo always enjoy a beer in the King Edward some interesting characters in there & always made welcome keep up the good work 👍
Omy god after watching so many videos what a shite hole blackpool is i used to love it
Oriental Chinese 1 of the best in town When Michael and his dad owned it, Been going since the 80's, Apparently has new owners now not as good.
Stephen do you remember the Murder of pensioner Harry Howell on Ibbison court 1988, Still unsolved to this day.
I do recall that.
"Did anyone ever go to them toilets"? That's been a bit nieve mate. Although you did allude to the obvious a few seconds on, in fairness.
I remember the black bag sales. Never bought from them Trotter Inc for sure. Con men and women. Dodgy watches, radios, kettles. Plus lots of tableware that was 3rds 4ths and 5ths. .......not even seconds. It was s£!te. 😂
"Mother" central drive .