The Seaside Revival Puzzle

What is going on in our seaside resorts? Are they busy reinventing themselves, regenerating old heritage assets, innovating and rethinking beachside attractions, investing in infrastructure, new hotels, restaurants and independent shops? Or are they in decline, struggling with changing tourist habits, unable to tackle their Victorian assets, watching their town centres shut down and old hotels turn into tiny rented flats?

We go on a tour of sixteen of our English and Welsh resorts, searching for signs of a mooted revival in seaside fortunes. What we find is a puzzle, with each resort responding differently to its situation and search for revival. From the University impact on Aberystwyth to the funky shops and art in Margate, the revived Butlins in Bognor Regis, the home-grown heritage revitalisation of Great Yarmouth, the cafe's of Littlehampton, the majestic De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, the quirky pier in Southwold, the Agatha Christie trail in Torquay, the murals of New Brighton and the oysters of Whitstable, there is a lot going on. Time to tackle the seaside revival puzzle.