Blackpool businesses 'hopeful' that Brexit marks fresh start for resort

Today, the UK is no longer a member of the European Union. The momentous move is expected to influence British politics for years to come.

In June 2016, 67.5 per cent of Blackpool voters showed their support for the leave campaign at the polls.

But are we still overwhelmingly a town of ‘Brexiteers’?

The Gazette spoke to the resort’s business owners, councillors and MPs to find out.

Charlie Docherty, chairman of the Central Blackpool Business Forum, said; “Without getting political, I think everybody is feeling hopeful and cautiously optimistic about the future. We’re out now, it’s a done deal, and all we can do is think positivals and hope that the government will fulfil its promises and support the north and the coastal areas that have been suffering, like Fleetwood and Blackpool.

“We’re trying to get Blackpool off the list as one of the most deprived areas and onto the list of best tourist destinations in Britain, if not Europe, as it was years ago.”

Hotelier Claire Smith, of tourism group Stay Blackpool, said: “I’m feeling hopeful and optimistic. I do fear it’s going to be like the Millenium, when we thought all the computers were going to blow up on the stroke of midnight and absolutely nothing happened. I’m thinking we will be exactly the same tomorrow and the day after that.

“We have had three years of uncertainty, and with uncertainty people don’t spend their money. They hold back.

“Now people may not want to travel abroad, and that could be good for Blackpool. I can’t see us having many negatives here because we don’t have a huge foreign population of workers. A lot of our businesses are family-run, so I don’t think we’re going to feel a huge impact on our workforce.

“I would hope that we do feel the staycation effect this year.”

Waterloo councillor Derek Robertson voted for Brexit in 2016, and said his decision was mirrored by most of the people he had spoken to in his ward.

“It has taken three years and many of us thought it was never going to get here,” he said, “We’re happy to be leaving, but there’s still so much work to be done down in Parliament. The Prime Minister is going to have to make some big changes.

“I think the future looks positive. We have got a good employment rate at the moment and I think a lot of the Europeans can stay as well, which is good.

“The money we have been giving to the EU can now be used for our country and I think a lot of the trade that we have had will continue with the EU and beyond.”

Among those welcoming the final delivery of the Brexit deal north of Blackpool is ex-Fleetwood fisherman Brian Cato, who was a UKIP activist in the town during last year’s council elections.

Brian said: “I’m ecstatic, we can be our own nation again, with control of our own waters and borders and any mistakes made will be our own, no one else’s.

“The doom mongers said it would be disastrous for our companies and jobs, but the EU has more to lose than us.

“We can trade with who we want to and we still have one of the largest economies in the world.

“What will it mean in reality? The odd British lorry will be held up on the Continent as a token gesture on behalf of the EU.”

Brian is adamant that the EU had a detrimental effect on the nation’s fishing industry and Fleetwood’s in particular, enforcing stringent fish quotas and shared fishing grounds in which huge Continental beam trawlers would scoop up fish, while British boats had to be laid up.

He sees Brexit being good news for Britain’s fishing industry and believes the UK could levy charges for EU boats fishing in British waters, and use the money to re-invest in new boats and training.

But he added: “Fleetwood would benefit in a small way, we could grow our fleet of smaller boats up, but sadly we’ll never get the industry back to what it was.

“The infrastructure in Fleetwood just isn’t there anymore.”

Scott Benton, MP for Blackpool South

Blackpool South MP Scott Benton says yes - and that 'the vast majority just want to get on with (Brexit) and move on'.

He said: "I’m delighted that we will be leaving the EU. We will be able to keep more of our own money and I’m already lobbying Government ministers to ensure that we get extra resources for our schools, NHS services and police because of this.

"We will also gain back control of making our laws and controlling immigration. The freedom we will have to depart from the single market and customs union means that we will be able to welcome inward investment and introduce freeports across the UK. I’m speaking to ministers about setting up a freeport in Blackpool which would help us to attract new jobs and investment which will support our local economy. The possibilities from Brexit are endless and I welcome the bright new future which lies ahead for the UK and Blackpool outside of the EU."

Paul Maynard, MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys

“I am in no doubt this is an important moment in our national history. At the same time it is vital to acknowledge that while we are leaving the institutions of the European Union, we are not leaving Europe.

“I look forward to seeing the United Kingdom develop new, innovative and mutually beneficial relationships not only with our friends on the continents, but forging new partnerships across the globe.

“In reality, I doubt people will see any real change between Friday evening and Saturday morning and a great deal more work is needed to secure the terms of our future relationship with both the European Union and its 27 member states. I do, however, recognise the very real significance of this moment. It is vital this is treated as an incredible opportunity, to continue to work together where there is merit in doing so, but also to forge our own path, setting our own agenda as an independent nation.

“The Government is clear in its commitment to invest in communities like Blackpool North and Cleveleys, to ensure local people share in the benefits of a strong economy, to create more employment and training opportunities and deliver infrastructure investment. That is where my focus, as a constituency MP, will continue.

“A significant majority of people in Blackpool North and Cleveleys voted in favour of Brexit and I know, from speaking with constituents in recent months, how pleased people are to see progress after three years of frustration and delay. Equally, I hear from those who voted to remain and respect their views. What is important now is that we work together to make the most of the course which has been set, to heal divisions and move forward as a truly United Kingdom.”