subject: Blackpool Holiday Zone, What Does It Mean For Blackpool Hotels And Guest Houses? [print this page] Area's of Blackpool hotels have been rezoned by Blackpool Council, defining an official area for tourism and accommodation in Blackpool. This has caused a massive uproar with Blackpool hoteliers as the council have created these zones, somewhat ignoring pleas from current businesses trading throughout the area.
What does it mean for Blackpool hotels? Well its difficult to say as the council try and defend their actions saying that current hotels will not suffer. However, can this be trusted when certain streets and areas will be open to redevelopment of housing, flats or more likely HMOs?
HMOs are the main concern for the current Blackpool Guest Houses in the affected roads, such as Palatine road in Blackpool. HMOs in Blackpool tend to attract DSS tenants that can live unsociable hours and arent responsible for maintaining rented properties. Whilst the council may have the best intention of imposing restrictions and guidelines so not to degrade the area further, do they have the necessary manpower & legal knowhow to ensure that street savvy developers dont exploit loopholes and basically rent to whomever they like?
It has been suggested, that the value of Blackpool hotels on some of the affected streets has been halved with this news regarding the new zoning. This leaves some hotels wondering whether it would just make more sense to convert the business back to a house and rent or sell as flats. This in itself would mean a large investment to do so.
After a phone call with Blackpool Council regarding the Invest In The Best Grant Scheme, decisions have been put on hold until the elections now to determine whether Blackpool hotels outside of the zone will be eligible for grants.
Why are the elections even a factor, when in the previous breath, they ensure that current Blackpool hotels will not be affected by the rezoning'. Clearly it could!
