THE people of Blackpool will get their say on casinos by a referendum, but only if forced by the government. That just about sums up what this council is all about.

Not surprisingly the owners of the Palace nightclub have submitted plans for a casino on the site, they have also submitted plans for casinos at Coral Island and Funland, which are traditionally family venues.

Foes this mean family entertainment is to be replaced by an over 18s Slot City? (Gaming Sheds) I hope not, or is this just the tip of the iceberg, the start of the (eradication) watering down of family entertainment. Watch this space?

The accommodation providers are now receiving a Marketing Works brochure; this is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund, Blackpool Challenge Partnership and Northwest development agency to name but a few.

Their aims are to, Get your message across, Market segmentation, Competitive pricing, The Brand and improving your Mid-Week and Off-Peak Trade for what? It is now obvious the above agencies and the council need to practice what they preach before they even think of taking your well-earned money. Alan Cavell admitted there had been no national or regional TV advertising and our season speaks for itself. They felt that other media gave better value than the small screen, that's amazing as Botany Bay, Southport, Centre Parks, Scottish and Welsh tourist boards the list is endless think otherwise. As tastes and trends change we need to update and widen our appeal to a new younger, high tech generation of families and children, so they have the same buzz we had.

Might I suggest the head of economic development takes a leaf out of the Pleasure Beach's marketing department's book as they are constantly updating their products to be the best? Not just to abandon the idea of family entertainment, as it seems at present.

Over the last six years with lack of investment we have fallen behind. May I also suggest that Alan Cavell and this council attends the workshops as they may learn something? Talk about square pegs in round holes. They certainly got their marketing wrong, at our expense in any other industry heads would roll.

We cannot go on providing the same product for eternity, we need to encourage new all year round family attractions and our own conference centre; we are just being left behind.

With no money being ploughed back into nationally advertising Blackpool through the TV media, how dare they even think about Marketing Workshops, our tourism association probably know more than they do and I know whom I would trust. Could it be the deliberate systematic winding down of our family holiday industry, fooling people in favour of casinos?

Bad weather, few quality shops, town centre road works, cancelled shows, weekend stag and hen-party mayhem shown constantly on national TV and reported in the national press combined for a dismal holiday season. Even Lawrence James, chairman of the towns Quality Management Initiative, said that although there are few attractions that can compete with Blackpool for keeping families entertained at this time of year, it hasn't made a blind bit of difference. Dave Gee, part of the Seasonal Traders Association also said that although half term was exceptional for families, why don't they come all year round? Other south shore traders complained that mid weeks were slow but steady while at weekends there was a distinctive lack of families, not surprising with our weekend booze culture.

Once again I am afraid Blackpool will continue to slide down that slippery slope as long as non-elected officials are at the helm. Are they up to the task ahead? I think not.

I suppose it's just a coincidence that two job vacancies have been advertised locally for the tourist sector. The first is Chairperson for The Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board (LBTB). The second is for Head of Marketing for Tourism. What great timing?

Michael J Chappell

Chairman

Bloomfield Ward Conservative Committee