Examination of Witnesses (Questions 60-62)
MR ADAM
BATES, MR
STEVE WEAVER,
DR ROBIN
MCINNES
AND COUNCILLOR
IAN WARD
27 JUNE 2006
Q60 Chair: I was struck by just how
different Brighton and Hove were, not least in their demography.
Do you believe that the strategy pursued by Brighton and Hove,
with its two universities and a wealthy population of London commuters
who can sustain upmarket cultural activities, is a one-off or
can anybody else do it?
Mr Bates: There are probably elements
of it which would be indicative of where success might exist in
other coastal areas. For us there are a couple of threads. We
cannot do much about our location, and to some extent we benefit
from it. Equally, it poses problems for us in creating an ever-greater
disparity between the haves and have-nots within our city because
of rising housing costs. However, I believe that a very important
decision was made almost 30 years ago to develop our conference
centre. One has to reflect upon the fact that in 1977 when it
opened there was not one in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester,
Cardiff or London. That was the point at which we said very clearly
that that was how we would set out our tourism development for
the next 30, 40 and 50 years and beyond. But I believe there are
other elements, a number of which rest upon things like the development
of cultural facilities. That thread has developed very much over
the past 10 to 15 years. We have Brighton festival events. We
have heard about how those work elsewhere. We would very much
support the idea that Blackpool could benefit from its location
for the establishment of something like a super-casino. We can
see clearly how that would benefit a resort such as that. We see
no competition in that.
Mr Hands: In one of your answers you
talk about the importance of attracting private capital, which
Brighton has been much more successful in doing, and also attracting
new businesses like the whole language school industry and the
gay economy in Brighton which has been very important to the prosperity
of the city. I think that a lot could be learned from other coastal
towns like Brighton. I do not think that it is merely a question
of London commuters moving to Brighton; I think that it is a more
innovative, flexible approach in which one does not look merely
to central government to come along and help out.
Chair: The issue is whether everybody
else could do it as well?
Mr Hands: I think that your premise is
incorrect. I think it is wrong to say that Brighton is built purely
on a London commuter or London flight economy.
Q61 Chair: Do the other witnesses
want to add anything?
Councillor Ward: These initiatives
are more difficult for us on the island for us to take advantage
of, but, as Mr Hands said, we are looking to private finance as
well. We do not want to rely on the Government. We are not here
for a handout; we are trying to help ourselves. We are in touch
with private financiers and developers and move on as best we
can.
Mr Weaver: Higher education is
absolutely key. That cannot happen in Blackpool for probably eight
or 10 years, but it is part of our long-term strategy. I think
that is an important development.
Q62 Dr Pugh: But that is something
that only big resorts can do; it is not a solution to smaller
resort deprivation?
Mr Weaver: That is absolutely
right. As to the private sector, that is absolutely key to investment.
In Blackpool we have to create the infrastructure for that. Like
Brighton, we believe that our strategy to have a new convention/conference
facility is absolutely critical to our future. That is probably
where we are competitors. It will cost the sum of money to which
Brighton referred. That will not come from the public purse and
we have to look for a way to ensure it is delivered.
Chair: Thank you very much for your evidence.
We look forward with great interest to the written additions for
which we asked.
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