Strange isn't it?

We have a direction finder in our cars these days in the form of Satellite Navigation. We programme it and it tells us where we are, it knows where we want to be and it can tell us how to get there.

Unfortunately, Blackpool doesn't have Sat Nav. As a town it is getting pulled in every direction with different borough councils, different legislation, different ideas on funding and development. No clear decisions on where it is heading, or indeed where it needs to be going. One thing that is a certainty, it cannot stand still. Who will be Blackpool's Direction Finder?

The Casino plan was dead in the water a while ago. The major political parties were drawn to conference elsewhere and unfortunately even some of the elected representatives echoed a statement made on a newspaper website " We may as well pack up the lights and send them to Manchester as well - they have everything else" This is not how Blackpool is going to get better is it?

See. I own and operate a business. I have to work hard to compete against a lot of other small businesses to make mine stand out above the rest. Blackpool has to do the same. Blackpool is a seaside town that needs to make itself stand out as a holiday destination that is fun, safe, clean (not necessarily in that order) but above all it has to be "Value For Money" There is a lot in Blackpool that is blatantly overpriced. The tourist pound is not rubberised. Neither is the locals. Who is going to make Blackpool a cost-effective option?

Rather than pitching our battles with how much is being given to Manchester and how Liverpool is getting a lot of publicity for Capital of Culture, we should focus on Blackpool. There is a belief culture in Manchester. Liverpool people are staunchly proud of their heritage. Where is Blackpools Fire? Where is the Civic Pride? Where is the Love?

I know of people who study (for business purposes) how they can make a website appear at the top of any search list based on a few key words or phrases. This is "promotion" "optimisation" When you talk about Blackpool is it positive? Make your key words and phrases include Blackpool, Successful, Regenerating, Improved, Value-For-Money.

For businesses these days, a website is virtually a necessity. If you have a business in Blackpool, do you have a website? Is it positive? Is it telling the truth or is it as manufactured as your product? Can you live up to the expectations of site viewers?

I intend (with assistance from Blackpoolzone & Salix Graphic - both businesses in Blackpool by the way) to design and offer for FREE a badge that becomes synonymous with Blackpool Civic Pride. One that you can print on T Shirts, Brochures, Hotel Leaflets and yes, even put it on your website.

Either I am totally on my own with my head in the clouds, or there are people like me who believe in Blackpool and are proud to stand up and say it. So where are you?

 

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