Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has insisted small seaside resorts should seize the opportunity presented by local enterprise partnerships to transform economic growth along the coast.
His comments came as he launched a new report by Sheffield Hallam University, which highlighted the economic and social challenges faced by smaller seaside resorts and their enterprise and resilience over the last decade.
The report noted classic seaside towns – mainly in the South West and East Coast – missed out on the economic growth of the past decade but despite this smaller resorts have often done better than their larger counterparts, often experiencing a smaller rise in unemployment during the recession.
The report’s findings suggested that Aldeburgh, Arnside, Budleigh Salterton, Grange over Sands, Lynton/ Lynmouth, Portreath, Salcombe and West Mercia have strongest local economies among smaller seaside towns. Those facing toughest economic problems are: Chapel St Leonards, Cromer, Dymchurch/St Mary’s Bay, Filey, Hunstanton, Mablethorpe, Sutton-on-Sea, Watchet and Withernsea. Seven of the nine towns are on the East Coast.
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