'I can’t wait for this to open and really do hope it’s a success' - South Shore street food market reaction
“I hope this is a success and good luck to all involved - good to see opportunities for business in the town”
The prospect of a new innovative food destination for Blackpool has been welcomed - but with a warning from some that low footfall could be a problem.
The ambitious Southbeach Street Food project is to be launched next month in the form of a vibrant Christmas Market, featuring 19 converted shipping containers on a site directly opposite the Sandcastle water park on South Shore seafront.
It will include food concessions ranging from Thai and Mexican to Spanish tapas and Italian food, and was originally planned for earlier this year but the physical preparations have taken longer than anticipated.
There will be plenty of international food as originally planned, but there will also be mulled wine, Christmas decorations, handmade gifts, toys and children’s gifts, art and prints, jewellery and more besides.
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Steven Mair said: “I can’t wait for this to open and really do hope it’s a success. Food and drinks need to be the focus though long term.”
Andy Stansfield said: “Good luck to all involved and I look forward to experiencing it when it's up and running.”
Scott Eastwood said: “I hope this is a success and good luck to all involved. Good to see opportunities for business in the town.”
But Paul Bartle had a warning. “Not enough footfall for the already existing food outlets on the South Shore,” he said. “This will fail unless they get an exemption on rates.”
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Tom McGrath also sounded a cautious note, saying: “Being next to Wetherspoons it’s going to have to be cheap to compete with them,” while Fred Perry was even more wary. He said: “Street food has already failed in Abingdon Street Market, with stalls closing down. What makes anyone think it will work on prom in winter?”
Along with plenty of international food, the market is set to feature mulled wine, Christmas decorations, handmade gifts, toys and children’s gifts, art and prints, jewellery and more besides. Live entertainment is also being arranged.
Jamie Willacy, a director of Southbeach Street Food, said: ““It will be great for Blackpool because we will have Christmas by the Sea at North Pier, and we’ll be at the other end.
“We’ll have a proper Christmas Market with all the things people usually expect.”