Blackpool is appalling

I am a 40 year old mother of three children aged eleven, nine and two. I recently went in to Blackpool, which I don't do often often as there are no decent shops. I would rather go to Preston or stay in Poulton.

I unfortunately went in for some bits and things for my eldest son's school leavers fancy dress costume and to buy a toy gun and army helmet - what a job and what an eye opener. I walked along the 'Golden Mile'. Whoever named it that? It was disgusting, thank goodness I only had my two year old with me. The sleaze in most of the stalls was disgusting and I visited quite a few which were selling hats and the like. Items to purchase were so crude and vulgar and totally unnecessary. Most, I'm sure, would have been better to have be sold in sex shops. I wandered around then into Central Drive for some face paint - again, disgusting.

I muttered to my son, about this is where you live, how awful, and how could anyone want to come on holiday here.

When we go out, we NEVER go to Blackpool, rather enjoying Beacon Fell or the Lakes - anywhere except 'trashy Blackpool'. Lap dancers, sex shops, vulgarity. Where is the family image. It isn't clean, litter everywhere. Blackpool has no class, style or charm.

We attract people who behave abysmally. to stop all this, make shops stop selling trash. Smarten up, clear out the traders who sell this garbage. Blackpool needs to cater for families and we don't want our children brought up with all of this. They are our future and they need protecting and educating. I cringe to say I used to live in Blackpool. Stanley park is no better. There is litter everywhere and the toilets are filthy and smell awful. Money and time needs to be spent.

My family and I recently went to Florida on a two week holiday. My goodness, what a difference. it was spotless with billions of visitors. The Americans sure know how to present a very impressive package.

I read in your article how 'it is very difficult to clean the streets when the town is full - Disneyland has no problem. There are thousands of unemployed people who could work for Blackpool. No-one is polite any more or caring. We haven't got a good future and it has to change.

More policing is needed, patrolling the promenade - zero tolerance as you put it. Improve it, or lose it. I will never, ever visit Blackpool again. It's such a shame - what do the visitors see in it.

In Florida everyone is so courteous, caring an charming. It is spotless, I couldn't fault it at all, except that it was too hot!

People do care but we are helpless. Please change Blackpool for the better, families have a right, keep the drunks away.

A friend of mine is a taxi driver and saw last weekend two men and one lady (if that's what I can call her). She was 'bottomless' with the two guys. He couldn't believe what he saw. Verbal abuse would more than likely occur, probably more!

get rid of the blow up dolls, plastic bums and breasts, willies, dirty postcards and everything else. I don't want this and all my friends and relatives don't.

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