The Street that Died in Blackpool 

Thank you Stephen, you have put an awful lot of work into this video. It's really sad that there is so much devastation on Bond Street, but great to see someone who isn't afraid to show the real life issues in Blackpool. You always get the balance just right. You show your home town in an exceptionally positive way. We are treated to the beautiful views, gorgeous sunsets and lots of helpful information about all of the attractions, that make the town so popular with tourists. Equally, you never shy away from showing the gritty real life on the streets that lie behind the glitzy lights of the Golden Mile. You bring an endless amount of trade to Blackpool, but you still tell it as it is, and that's fantastic xxx

Part of the problem with Bond Street is that the council and Historic England call it an “Area of Special Local Character” with that a number of buildings have been given local listing. This makes making changes to some buildings more difficult. In addition loss of footfall between Central Pier and the Pleasure Beach has reduced numbers shopping in the area. It needs some investment, which the council won’t contribute to. So buildings just decay until they fall down.

My mammy took me and my sisters on holiday in the 1970’s , it was heaving with people and there was so much excitement in this Town. In the 80’s i would visit the funfair with my pals and our Dates every year however, last year i delivered to a pub in Blackpool and it was sad to see just how neglected it looked moreover, these Towns once they lose their custom never recover as i see the same thing in Morecambe, Scarborough, Skegness and Southport . Thanks for sharing Man……….

It used to be thriving down that end of town. I worked on Station Road for many years and it saddens me to see the state it's in now. The heart and soul have been ripped out of the place. This is wilful neglect. Another great video 👍

Mrs Johnson’s Emporium is a truly beautiful shop. A paradise for a crocheter / sewer like me. The collectibles shop isn’t too bad. It’s on the border of being a bit creepy lol but that might just be me 😂 I remember the fairy shop - if I’m getting this right it used to be just off Gynn Square. I bought two beautiful handmade clay magic wands from there in around 2009/2010ish. I’d heard it moved to Bond Street but by the time I’d visited Blackpool again and found it it had already closed down again seemingly permanently which is a real shame. Everywhere not just Blackpool needs these small independent shops that sell the beautiful and unique things you can’t get in the cut and paste chain shops.

The boat is probably an unwanted prize off Bullseye! xx

I have a display cabinet from the Victorian era built for a magician who had a shop on the sea front. That's all I know about it. My point is all these shops closing that hide our heritage is sad.

Had to laugh at your "the world coming to an end on Bond Street" comment. But have to say I'm genuinely shocked at the state of the area. It would appear that the bloke who wants to turn everything into car parks, has no real desire to regenerate the buildings or area. I'm Blackpool born and bred and I'm heartened by the regeneration in the town centre, but it's going to take decades of investment to return the areas to anything like they once were. Keep up the good work👍

The bit with the seagul eating the dead bird I was expecting a Mad Max vehicle to come down the street full of mutants😂 Great video but also sad to see parts of Blackpool in this state.

Paying just to enter the pleasure beach is rediculous.

It's sad what our towns have become

hi steve. great video as always . i think that the decline in this part of waterloo road and bond street bagan when royal mail moved the sorting office to edward street in the late 90s then closed the counter soon after. overnight 70 staff went away. there was no canteen so all food and drink etc. was bought outside. at end of shift we often had a pint in the pubs there. it was a huge loss to business especially in the winter.

This is so sad. I haven't been to Blackpool for 37 years, as I moved down south. But I remember Blackpool was a place families flocked to. What has happened that most of it looks like a building site?

The first time I ever went to Blackpool i stayed in a small b and b in bond Street i haven't been down there in years i never realised how much it has gone downhill 😒 your videos show the good and badside of Blackpool. Blackpool council should really start to invest money in the actual town itself now. They have done a really good job on the promenade so hopefully more visitors bringing the money into Blackpool but invest in the town now because unfortunately it is looking very deprived 😒

I lived on Rawcliffe Street. From my birth in 1976, until the early 90s. It was a thriving shopping area, second only to the town centre. Took a walk round a few weeks ago and it was both shocking and upsetting

That looperman track is an absolute banger. The eighties vibes are strong on it.

Thanks for this video. My grandma used to live above the "South Shore Bargins" store and I've got vivid memories of popping to the chippy across the road and taking it back and playing on a Sega Megadrive in the basement below there. I distinctively remember all buildings were connected to one another down there through a series of tunnels. I wonder if that's public knowledge or not.

Used to love my visits to Melody House on Bond Street.

Hi Stephen when I was a kid I remember when you put money in the wall and the pipes would play and Loch Ness monster would appear.

Excellent, lets hope better times lay ahead for Bond St.

I have driven many coaches with a Duple body built in Blackpool.

Mom and dad would bring me here every year. Bond Street was the probably the street I walked most. I remember the the window with the spider that fell down at the end of the show as you mentioned. As a kid it felt easy going worry free. 90’s to 00’s joke shops everywhere and adult funny jokes in those twist drop dispensers hahah. “Knickers for a knicker” “pouches for a pound” hahaha. It is heartbreaking seeing it now.

hello there last time I was in BLACKPOOL in 2012 hope to be there this year its sad see this now I am proud of BLACKPOOL AND BLACKPOOL F.C thank you for sharing this lot of times walk pass them places

So sad too see Hartes closed and building derelict it’s everywhere now all towns shops closing and empty.

Sad to see the old Woolworth's building in it's present state.

Wow it’s looking a very dark area Sir. I’ve started a new job so I have missed out and need to catch up on former videos! Stay safe and keep up the good work!

I still love Waterloo Road, it has its own charm.

The I collectables on Bond Street took over what was The more Store. It used to be a bit further down the street. The shop was always an absolute pit but a treasure trove of great stuff. We visit it every year from Scotland and have had great banter over the years from the guys who work there. You could spend hours in there looking at all the collectable things. Got some good buys too. Shame the state of the street. We once stayed in a B&B in Rawcliffe Street, one of the streets you mentioned a few years back, now looks like squatters are in it.

Thank you Stephen 👍👍

Palladiam used to be a cinema back in the day 1960/70s, know some horroer storys regarding that. Remember Ethyl Ostins on Bond st great shop, such a shame . Woolys was great too. Great job on the vid Stephen, well done. Sad to see South Shore like this, no one will shop till they sort it out.

Sad for blackpool used too be such a fab family friendly holliday resort

the sea up in blackpool is absolutely terrifying.i haven't swam in it since 1987!i can't even go on the beach!seas and beaches are absolutely terrifying!open spaces are absolutely mortifying!blackpool!what a memory that that is!we always used to go.until 2018 i hadn't been for twenty years!

It was the middle shop that had the coin op display, you put 20p in and Scottish music played and nessie stuck its head out the merky tank. Used to have some good shops down there, such a shame.

Another very interesting video Stephen..really enjoying the channel since I stumbled across it..Bond St certainly seems to have seen better days.

Super video Stephen always you work on thses video's top job

Used to go then streets in 2014. Such a shame the shops have closed down. Very much run down now. Christmas shop I called it, was a great store. You wonder what next will happen

Nice vid mate, me and my wife talk about this quite a few times... pretty upsetting, no support for business, it was great tacky, loved it... Been Blackpool many times throughout my life, close to my heart mate.... very sad

Platform 3 was the rail way model shop . I remember a car dealers at the old new market. You missed out the back of the old south shore police station on Montague Street.

Really enjoy your social commentary of the interesting aspects of Blackpool, moving in the right direction Stephen, great news.

Brilliant video, Stephen. Love your intros.

I Collectibles is a great shop, proper treasure trove of old action figures and comics! It’s a bit haphazard in there but I think that adds to the charm!

Queen Street was a shock to see last month. Blackpool council need to remember the broken window syndrome and act quickly. Queen Street decay started with the shut B+B on the corner.

I lived near Bond Street in the early 1970’s and there was a cinema on the street.

When we used to stay in South Shore (1993-2008/09). We'd often eat at The Stables and Copper Kettle on Bond Street. I loved Hartes during October half term, as they'd have Christmas lights and decorations up. Shame there's not much open along there now. Some serious zwork definitely needs doing.

My great grandparents came from Blackpool. When I looked on Google where they used to live it's now an Ann Summers shop 😂😂

Buildings shouldn't be allowed to get into such state of disrepair, if owners refuse to renovate, they should be compulsory purchased.

Taylor's has done incredibly well to survive. Miss Melody house a lot.

Anyone noticed the nuclear proof plant pots on Waterloo road had actual plants in them and not concrete 🤣

Is this what levelling up looks like ....so sad to see.

One part of Blackpool is being developed and other parts are run down. I am sure it will be ok in the future. Good video again.

A bit late I know but the place that looked like a cinema next to the boat was the entrance to the Rendevous Cinema. The auditorium itself was located on the ground that is a car park at the back. We were barred after some bad behaviour there! Going on Google Streetview and lookinback to 2009 is heartbreaking really.

Hi Stephen thank you for another great video as always I what a charming street bond street is I've been down there not a pretty sight lol its such a shame could really be nice if money was spent what a waste have a great evening xx

Hi great video I really enjoy these ones and that street is awful. You used to make giggle alot with some of the things you used to say, I miss that Star of Blackpool, be safe see you in the next one ❤

I remember Bond St being a shoppers paradise.

So sad. One of the lads from the pub had the best stag do there about 1992, red hot day and the place was buzzing…..went years later when Blackpool was in the Premiership and i couldn’t believe how much the place had changed.

thank you Stephen for sharing this be very proud to be from BLACKPOOL

I used to live on Bond St. The building next to the boat was once an exclusive audio suppliers and photograhers shop called Norman Butlers. There was one here and on Lytham Rd. It sold only top end goods. There was a tobacconist shop on the corner opposite The Last Resort called Robertsons. A lady called Mrs Robertson ran it. The Last Resort was a Midland Bank, then a wine bar called Vogue. Opposite Bond St Fabrics was Potts furnishings and Melodies Record Shop. There was a cinema: The Rendezvous.... The machine operated monster was a Lock Ness Minster accompanied by a Scots puppet dancing. There used to be puppets also of Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey both slot operated. In the 1970s and early eighties, this street was a vibrant arcadia of viable small businesses and I lived there. I loved it. Now, I feel ashamed of it

In bond street they used to be the best old style toy store used to love going in it every weekend

Omg Stephen. Blackpool I’m so run down and quite literally collapsing in front of our eyes and yet people still holiday there 😂

Loved hearts miss that shop so much yes no bond Street now

We had a few nights in the hotel in Bloomfield Road Stadium last month, which was fine. Last time we were in Blackpool was 1985 and quite honestly the decline is shocking and upsetting. We won’t be coming back. Next time we’ll keep going until we get to The Lake District tbh.

Most if not all of Leicester is like this, come to Spinney Hill you’ll love it!

The building that looks like a cinema WAS a cinema. It was The Rendez-Vous Cinema. Later it became a Mecca Bingo Hall.

The urban decay is so sad, once so busy

Thanks for the video Stephen, sad to see so many buildings in ruins. Any idea how that boat came to be beside those ruins, weird one that.😊😊😊

When did Aldi become Farmfoods? It's been a while since I've been down that bit of Waterloo Rd It's a shame about Bond Street. It used to have some interesting shops

Blackpool has loads of potential but so many derelict buildings , it will need loads of investment to get it sorted out. There's some great architecture there that deserves preservation.

Families can’t afford Blackpool prices are disgraceful into tower and pleasure beach if you’ve got a couple of kids.

“There’s a seagull eating a bird”……….quote of the year 😂

At one time Waterloo rd, Bond Street, & Lytham rd were the best shopping areas

It's a shame about Bond Street I think Blackpool Council need to start putting more investment in the south shore. There was a fire in the roof of that mini market next to the collapsed building with the boat in it. Jade Delight Chinese restaurant is very posh & where that carpark is on the corner of Station Road isn't that where the Paris Casino was that was burned down a few years ago 😮

The bank was Lloyds Bank ., Old and New Markets then the M2 Market across the Rd. Post Office and the GPO with Norweb downstairs. I remember the station, model railway and the old lady who used to live in the toilets. We used to do all our shopping down Waterloo Rd now it’s a doss hole thanks to the Clowncil. There were 2 churches on Bond Street ones bow a carpark owned by Howard. I used to go in the Duple Club., the Bull and the Beach pubs.

wow TAYLORS still goin?!?...i used to get Bootlace Ties from there...n the odd C&W/Cowboy Shirt!.. The owner was a Character...he had all the old WRANGLER/LEVIS Catalogues...i used to ask him about the old denim jackets with 34/36/38/40 etc sizes...like golddust now..lol...bitter sweet vid fella...\m/

There is some potential on bond street with the right investors. Needs a sparkle of something to get people back down. I remember some amazing shops on that road back in the day

Great Farm Foods there, you lucky people!

I knew by the title of this video it would be Bond street. There's some lovely big flats above those shops though.

Thank you Stephen for another video you put a lot of great detail into the videos, Stephen you wonder if those areas will recover after the pandemic Blackpool has changed places were you would visit are no longer around its good to see some places have managed to keep open, Stephen I wonder if there is much change in top end of Charnley Road were old council offices were, you would like to think of the regeneration program might help Stephen Charnley Road in 90s I remember it so well thats were we got engaged I remember a few places in Charnley Road Granthams, Helmshore,The Franklyn Hotel etc

Passed by it three days ago when I was in Blackpool and we stayed in station road goes right across Bond st

It’s like a scene from the Walking Dead

Sorry to say its finished. The area needs to be flattened and redeveloped.

Used to go in the Bond Street Bistro and Chippy whilst we had a base in Dean Street. Sad to see it up To Let. It needs a lot spending on that area, but it's not in the tourist catchment area so the council isn't interested. You can get high just walking down there with all the druggies in that area. Even National Tyres has gone!!

Another good video all the best from Scotland Stephen hope your doing OK

What a shame. I used to wander those streets after a day in the fun house, nursing my scorched kneecaps. I wonder if the fact the pleasure beach is no longer a free entry theme park has anything to do with the demise of Bond Street. All my memories tarnished by the devastation of our high streets now that Amazon is our new Woolworths

Hey there David from Cromer here We have a similar problem here but on a much smaller scale Our town centre is mainly on 1 street with smaller off roads We've lost some good people in the 26 years I've been here The problem is that we are seasonal and also a greedy fxxxxxg council who charge obscene high rents and rates So the small indie shops last a couple of years then empty shop then SURPRISE SURPRISE another fekin charity shop Even our Barclays bank went and up sprang a charity shop Beautiful building as well It's so sad We lost I think 5 businesses because of the covid too Blackpool is so big it looks much worse I think Hopefully this is it a 300 million face lift? will change for the better But like my mate said Its like painting the Seven Bridge with a tooth brush I wish Blackpool and all it's residents the best of health and luck lol from David Andrews East Anglia coast Norfolk 😊🌴🌻🚤🛩️⛱️⛈️☀️🌒🌖🗻💰💸💴

Change is inevitable except from a vending machine but sad to see so many in Blackpool

Cheap flights did for Blackpool put the price of beer up to much so the boys go to Spain now.

Love the intro to this video👍

I think that Bed & Mattress place used to be Melody House. I remember the record shop in there.

The thriving and fabulous resort of my childhood now resembles an episode of "The Last Of Us "

Great video 👍👍

I remember that club we used to play bingo there with my granddad and nan and ever time we go get the tickets we'd say to the man to books and to fish and he's always 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣 fun times

Remember Ethel Austin's and the collectables shop on Bond street

What day and time was this filmed as there is hardly anyone around and most shops were shut. 🤔

I'm sure it was a loch ness monster that rose out the water when you inserted a coin

Its a real pity that South Shore has been let go

I remember the old sea serpent shop 💭

Blackpool council wants to get that street in to order

I Popped into hmv in town last week n there is a pic of David Bowie who said apparently **Blackpool the dire town they forgot to close down!!**

Blackpools decline started in the 1970s with the arrival of cheap holidays abroad..it never recovered and now has a high suicide rate and drug addiction and alcoholism are rampant ..food banks are quite common…very little cultural places to visit in the town ..I left for London in 1971 just in time and never regretted the move …very nice people in the area however but few opportunities for the unemployed..like many Northern towns

hi there, l was always told there a seagulls mess fall on you it`s a sign of good look