Morecambe

I came to Morecambe for a holiday as a boy. At that time the inhabitants of Bradford and of the Lancashire mill town regarded it as socially superior to Blackpool. More refined and with nice views of the Lake District.

But the advent of cheap holidays on the Spanish Costas led to a decline for all England’s seaside resorts. But Morecambe survived better than many. And a few years ago the complete refurbishment of the classic Art Deco Midland hotel on the promenade gave it a boost.

Now there is the prospect of an even bigger boost. There are serious proposals for building a Northern Eden Project right there on the front. Actually on the site of the old outdoor Lido where bathing beauty competitions were held for the title of Miss Great Britain.

Now we have the possibility of white geodesic domes full of tropical plants of the world, just like the highly successful ones in Cornwall. That will attract the middle class gardeners from across the North of England and beyond. Let us hope it succeeds.

The promenade and the stone pier are already very attractive. But this morning the view of the mountains was obscured by mist.