High Crime, High Unemployment, Poor Health And Short Life Expectancy... A Snapshot Of A Town On Life Support...

Looking for a place to locate your business or raise a family, consider Blackpool

by WireNews+Co

(WireNews+Co) - Blackpool, England - 07 February 2013

Once a glorious seaside, holiday Mecca, Blackpool has grown tired over the years. The well known Lancashire coastal resort, by far the smallest Lancashire 'authority' (covering just 35 square kilometres) and in 2010 home to more than 140,000 people, now struggles to attract short-stay and day trip visitors.

Public perception of local authority corruption and cronyism warn off any serious private investment and the conflict between the financial needs of families and those seeking a vibrant pub and club scene have proved to be a real challenge for Blackpool.

According to a County Council report, Blackpool is ranked as the 10th most deprived area out of 326 districts and unitary authorities in England. This was the worst ranking of all the 14-authorities in the broader Lancashire area.

Average earnings in Blackpool are very low when measured by both place of residence and by place of work. Furthermore, personal insolvency, bankruptcy and individual voluntary agreement rates in Blackpool per 10,000 population are all well in excess of the county and national rates.

Blackpool has consistently had the highest crime rate in the Lancashire area for the past three years. Additionally, the misuse of alcohol is strongly linked to the violent behaviour. Blackpool has one of the highest rates of binge drinking in the UK and above average hospital attendances due to alcohol.

The Blackpool Health Profile, published by the Association of Public Health Authorities, reveals that the health of people in the area is generally worse than the England average. Problems include smoking in pregnancy, violent crime, drug misuse and the level of incapacity benefits for mental illness.

Unsurprisingly, figures for life expectancy at birth by the local authority reveal that Blackpool had one of the worst male rates out of all 374 authorities in England and Wales and one of the worst female rates. And the area has for a number of years recorded teenage conception rates that were well above the national average and far in excess of the rates seen in other Lancashire authorities.

If that hasn't put you off then Blackpool is windy, wet and ready to welcome you.

Source: Lancashire County Council (http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/office_of_the_chief_executive/lancashireprofile/main/summarybp.asp)