Rock zoo idea for Bubbles site

The leisure complex, previously home to the town's swimming stadium, could become a Rock Zoo housing life-like figures of famous pop stars in cages.

The "zoo" is just one the ideas that have been suggested by developers following a decision by the Cabinet to go ahead with the demolition of the site.

Bubbles is likely to be bulldozed at the end of the tourist season in October, but councillors want proposals before them by the time of their next meeting in September.

Council leader Tricia Heath said: "We know what the short term proposal for Bubbles is, but we need to put plans in for the long term for this important site."

Cabinet member for regeneration, Cllr James Airey, said: "If we are moving forward, we need to have some idea where we are going with this site. As far as the image of the council is concerned, it would be very negative to demolish the buildings without having any long term vision."

The 'rock zoo' would be an attraction featuring replicas of famous pop stars in a zoo style setting.

Other proposals which have been put forward in the past include a skate park and a marina development.

Council leader, Cllr Tricia Heath, has expressed a preference for a marina and water sports centre.

She said: "We would like to see the area become a marina with a base for water sports which will take time to implement. The vision is to have a marina for small boats with permanent water, though it could also be tidal. We would have to carry out feasibility studies to look at all the practical issues involved. We should go back to the old Morecambe motto "Health Abounds, Beauty Surrounds."

Hopes that Bubbles could become a family aqua park were dashed when the two directors of Kalber Leisure, the company which now owns the adjacent Midland Hotel, were banned from holding directorships.

What do you think should happen to the Bubbles site? What do you think of the Rock Zoo idea or the marina? Write to our letters page with your views.