PROPOSALS for improving and funding Blackpool's Illuminations have been slammed as "nothing new" by John Herdman, a former manager of the Imperial Hotel and current chairman of Blackpool South Conservatives.

Ideas presented to the Tourism and Economic Policy Review Committee (PRC) this week included:

An Illuminations souvenir brochure.

Improving the Illuminations Appeal Fund collection system.

Reviewing the present operation and sites for the Promenade collection points.

Looking at the present policy for manufacturing and selling off of Illuminations to businesses

But Mr Herdman said the review and meetings had been a waste of time. "There is nothing new in any of the 'new' ideas. The funding proposals could have been plucked from council minutes 12 years ago.," he said.

Mr Herdman says he believes all that the recent review of the Illuminations has achieved is make the public at large more aware of the fact that the Illuminations are not now as good as they were and are in need of improvement

"What kind of advert is that for the resort?" he asked." Who will come to the lights and purchase the suggested souvenir brochure? Which large companies will queue up to sponsor a lame duck?

"Historically the Illuminations were staged by the Council to extend the season because it was recognised that what was good for tourism was good for Blackpool. It is surely now just a matter of time before Labour hive off the Illuminations to a 'trust' because they feel they should not be involved, in spite of all the business rates that are paid," he added.

As part of the review, officers are also to investigate the feasibility of introducing a scheme for public plaques which would recognise sponsorship of the Illuminations and the bringing forward of the Best Value Review of the Illuminations. It was also felt that there was a clear need to move forward into the 21st century with more interactive displays and that it was important for the commercial and business community to get more involved in funding.

The ideas are now to be forwarded to the executive committee in the next few weeks for the final official stamp of approval.

These latest talks are a direct result of a review carried out last August into the Illuminations that concluded they were becoming out-dated and not attracting the number of visitors seen in former years.

Blackpool lights cost a staggering £2.4 million each year to run, £2.1 million of which comes out of council tax and £300,000 from voluntary funding -- of which the subscription fund, which is made up of local hotels and businesses, managed to raise £87,000.

Chairman of the PRC Coun Philip Dunne said: "The commercial sector need to realise this downward trend in visitors to Blackpool which, although not yet drastic, needs to be stopped.

"It is important that the business community recognises and accepts their responsibilities towards the funding and continuation of this vital visitor attraction. It is also to benefit their own future profitability.

"After all, is it fair that the council tax payer should bear the brunt of the costs for these investments in new technology?"

LIT UP: But are they old hat?