Why Blackpool's illuminations should enlighten town's regeneration schemes

As Take That star Robbie Williams switches on the lights in Blackpool tonight, one academic in London makes the case for ensuring the town’s unique character isn’t extinguished in its much-needed regeneration schemes.

Dr Steve Millington, of Manchester Metropolitan University, had led a research project with his colleague Dr Tim Edensor, examining the reasons why visitors come to Blackpool for the illuminations, and their significance for the town.

In a speech to the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) annual conference in London, Dr Millington will say: "Every year, people visit Blackpool in their thousands for the illuminations.

"For these visitors, the lights are seen as being at the heart of the town’s heritage and character, and for many the main reason why they choose to return year after year at end of the holiday season.

“Electric lighting, in Blackpool as elsewhere, is key to the town’s identity and heritage. Its brash and antiquated lighting and use of ‘old technology’ provides the very ‘faded seaside’ charm that attracts so many to visit.

"The annual visit to Blackpool is a tradition handed down through generations and while some may see Blackpool’s visitor numbers as disappointing, in reality, the town’s footfall is the envy of many seaside towns.

“Blackpool, with high levels of unemployment and associated social problems, however, urgently needs the new investment and regeneration beginning to take place in the town.

"Yet, as my research shows, there is a real danger that making changes to the Blackpool ‘experience’ with ‘clone town’ identikit redevelopment schemes will ‘throw out the baby with the bathwater’.

"Visitors return to the town because it is different. Future developments in the town need to recognise and build on its heritage and history and make sure they don’t lose the visitors – young and old – who at the moment give the town a good balance in its night-time economy.”

Robbie Williams, who is expected to flick the switch at about 9pm in front of an audience of thousands, is no stranger to the town, having filmed the video for his hit single “Advertising Space” there; the star also brought his wife Ayda Field and friends and family to the Pleasure Beach at the end of 2008, declaring the day one of the 'top 10' of his life.

Robbie said this week: “Blackpool has so many happy memories for me and it will be a real thrill to turn on the 2010 Illuminations which I am told are seen by 3 million people every year.

"This will cap my twentieth year of making music and I can’t think of a better place to celebrate that than Blackpool”.