Plans for new 'event square' are dividing a town - and while many welcome the investment - others are questioning the logistics and location of the project
Council bosses agreed to fund the £1.5 million project under the St Annes Masterplan initiative, adopted by Fylde Council in July 2022. The plans are to transform St Annes Road West in to a "vibrant hub for hosting events," hoping to enhance the existing area and create a space where events are able to be hosted in the town.
"My reservations are that it's going to stop people from coming into the square and driving in as easily, particularly when you've only got one-way streets around," Naomi said. "So when they're having the events, yes OK it's not going to be blocked off the whole time. "Apparently they were getting complaints from residents that they were doing too many things in the park. I was like, well I don't see that myself."
"On the other side you've got the nice Pier Inn and then you've got Subway. It doesn't do a lot for independent businesses because there's only charity shops and B&M, Holland and Barratt and Subway - there's no independent businesses there.A little further down the road, Steven and Jason own Lifestyles Health Store which has only been opened for a year. They say the plans are a good idea, but perhaps could be placed elsewhere.
"It's just frustrating because all the independent stores along this street always feel left out," Jason added. "It's always for that area and never for this. It's a shame." Carl Baker is the owner of the Bedford Hotel, close to the centre of St Annes. He says more tourism and visitors to the town is a good thing, but perhaps a different idea would have served the town in a more effective way.
"Any investment in the town is amazing but for all the right reasons, I really don't think an events space is ever going to give us the 365 day custom our businesses will need to survive."
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