Shadow tourism minister visits Hornsea
The owner of an amusement arcade has branded Hornsea's seafront "embarrassing".
Alyson Underwood, who owns Pastimes and Regal Amusements with her mother Barbara, has called for the area to be spruced up.
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TOURISM PROBLEMS: Alyson Underwood, right, and her mother Barbara, owners of Regal Amusements, talking with Shadow Tourism Minister Tobias Ellwood. Picture: Dave Barker
She said: "Hornsea's seafront has been neglected and forgotten for quite a few years.
"Long gone are some of the amusements and attractions like the paddling boats.
"We need some public amenities or at least the area spruced up.
"The recession has hit the area hard, but the lack of facilities isn't helping.
"We need to be keeping visitors entertained here all day - not just for a few hours."
Miss Underwood met with the Shadow Minister for Tourism, MP Tobias Ellwood, yesterday.
Mr Ellwood joined Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart for a stroll along the seafront.
Mr Ellwood said: "I understand many of the problems facing the tourism industry, but there is a vision here in Hornsea of what could be done.
"I have said I will work with Graham and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council to get everyone round the table and see what can be achieved."
Mr Stuart asked Mr Ellwood to visit the town last month to see for himself how hard-pressed arcade owners are faring in Hornsea.
The aim of the event was to see what could be done to entice visitors back to the town.
Mr Stuart said: "The coastal towns in the constituency used to be thriving tourist hotspots and, while I appreciate times have changed, they could still offer so much to visitors to the area."
Miss Underwood said: "There is no quick fix, but something has to be done. Mr Ellwood seemed to understand.
"The visit has brought a bit of attention to the town, and I hope it will highlight the problems not just in Hornsea, but other coastal towns."
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by john, Hornsea
Friday, February 26 2010, 11:06AM
“Totally agree Mrs and Ms Underwood have closed Pastimes, the Market and put their houses and property up for sale so i find their concern for the future of Hornsea a little shallow”
by Ian, Hornsea
Thursday, February 25 2010, 4:00PM
“Can any of your readers including councillors confirm if the car parks on the sea front at Morrow Avenue and Little Eastgate ( to name 2) are going to be used to build council flats and if there is going to be a council estate built on the South Promenade as appears on the Homes and Communities Agency website where they state bids have already been placed and accepted for the council housing ( afforadable housing) to be built.. If so how will this attract visitors to Hornsea and where will we and they park?”
by Pattie, East Yorks
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 7:55PM
“Totally agree with everything you say, Tony. Still can't believe they're whinging about the state of the town/seafront when it seems they can't wait to get out of the place!! Even their houses are up for sale! Ridiculous!! Seems like someone is looking for sympathy/attention. Well they won't get any from me. Good riddance to bad rubbish!!!”
by Charlie, The Coast
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 4:25PM
“Hornsea is going the same way as Withernsea.
There is nothing there to sustain the interest of tourist families (I'm not talking about Mr.Sunday-driver day-tripper), who otherwise might be enticed to book a week or two's holiday and put some real money into the local economy.
There is a culture of booze-bingeing, kebabs and violence, with the young women equally as bad as the young males.
Drugs are the product of this culture as wannabe gangsters move in when law-enforcers and decent people abandon the town.
There is no WILL in Hornsea to alter the status quo, and so declline will continue as the streets in the hours after dark falls belong to the lawless.”
by Tony, Hornsea
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 11:02AM
“Pattie, you hit the nail on the Head. What these two women did not mention is that Ragal Amusements is being knocked down and a block of flats built.As for amenities they should go to speck savers and but somes specs so they can see that invisible building called a leisure centre.
As for they Idiot minister visiting if he can see Vision then he should go get a new pair of specs.
It has taken the council 40 years of talking S**T to get a new Floral Hall, and guess what after all the knights in shinning armour sat around the big table, still nothing.
Never mind the sea front what about Downtown Bagdad-Oh sorry S**T Hole Newbegin.”