Seaside Towns in Decline, UK; Social Market Foundation; Weymouth

Falling off a cliff? Economic and social decline by the coast (SMF)

"The report shows that the economic gap between coastal communities and the rest of the country has widened even more since our 2017 report. Further, new analysis in this briefing note shows a growing life expectancy gap between coastal communities and the rest of the country as heath inequalities take their toll".

Press Release - Seaside on the slide: coastal areas suffer £5,000 wage gap

"Coastal communities have fallen even further behind the rest of the UK economy and workers in seaside town now earn almost £5,000 less than those elsewhere in the country, a think-tank has revealed. More than 30 coastal areas still have economies smaller than before the financial crisis that began in 2007. Most of those places voted for Brexit. People in coastal areas can now also expect to die earlier than those elsewhere, with the latest data showing a growing “death gap” between seaside populations and the rest of Britain".


From Weymouth Vision (Facebook)

"New Report - Weymouth and Portland’s economy is 13% smaller than 2007, the second worst performing coastal town in the country and coastal workers earn on average £5000 a year less than the the rest of the country.

What is telling is the towns not on the list - the towns that have grown. Brighton, Bournemouth, Margate, Hastings etc. All have moved their economies away from bucket and spade tourism, and have focused on building new areas of growth from digital start-ups to creative led high end tourism. Surely it should be a priority to look at how other coastal towns are rebalancing their economies and learn from their successes. Digital connectivity now means workforces can be more flexible in work habits and location than ever before, and other coastal towns are now using their location as an asset not a hinderance (Bournemouth has the second highest level of start-ups of anywhere in the country). The millennial generation value high quality experiences and activities like no other generation before. Staycationers, are looking for cultural locations that offer more than a beach and bingo".


Weymouth wants changes to beach dog ban laws

The health and safety of children should surely come first.

"Cllrs Christine James and David Harris both said they had grandchildren who were wary of dogs.

Cllr James said she hated it when dogs jumped up at her grandchildren or urinated, or worse, on the sands where children were playing: “There are plenty of places where people can go and walk their dogs,” she said, suggesting that if dogs did have to continue using the beach the council ought to consider introducing dog toilet areas.

Cllr Harris said he found it remarkable that dogs could go almost everywhere, apart from fenced off play areas. He said he wanted to see an environment where children who were nervous of dogs could play freely, without fear".