Push to get more Blackpool residents playing sport

Blackpool Council’s Active Lives Strategy sets out how traditional facilities such as existing sports centres and swimming pools could be used, but also recommends exploring more use of the Promenade for exercise.

Proposals could include creating an activity trail along the seven miles of seafront, encouraging additional bike hire and cafe businesses.

The five year plan, which is due to go before the council’s executive for approval on Monday (Jan 25), says exercise is vital to improve people’s health.

Figures included in the strategy show 63 per cent of adults in the town are overweight or obese, while 30 per cent are inactive compared to 24 per cent in England as a whole (Sport England active Lives survey 2018/19).

The annual cost to the NHS of physical inactivity in Blackpool is estimated to be £1.6m which is 13 per cent above the national average.

The report says: “Engaging all residents in physical activity is a high priority as is getting the inactive, active.

“Recreational activity (i.e. an active lifestyle) plays a key role in facilitating improved health and wellbeing.

“In addition, physical activity and sport provides economic and health benefits and provides jobs and opportunities to both spectate and participate.

“It is essential, therefore, that there is adequate opportunity for all residents to take part in physical activity in the borough.”

Sports including netball, badminton and tabletennis already have good participation rates in Blackpool and it is hoped to build on that, as well as making more use of facilities including sports hall, parks, community centres and football pitches.

Research shows cycling and structured classes are the most popular pastimes among residents who are already active, followed by athletics, fitness and swimming.

The three recommendations of the report are to explore more detail on how the seafront can be used to encourage active lifestyles; consider a communication and marketing programme to help engage the public; and look at how to increase the use of the facilities available in the town to encourage active lifestyles.

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