Press Cutting – When Doctors Differ! (1907)

BLACKPOOL GAZETTE & HERALD

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 8, 1907

Opinion is divided, even amongst the representatives of Waterloo Ward, as to the effect of the Fairground at South Shore. Dr Prichard declares that is "the ruination of South Shore", and Councillor Dickinson alleges that is driving away families who have been accustomed to stay at South Shore.

Alderman Fish, on the other hand, recalls the time not very long ago, where there were rows of unoccupied houses in the vicinity of the Fairground, and points to the fact that now almost all are tenanted.

Councillor Eaves, who is as largely interested in South Shore as anyone also states with the authority of a big property owner, that last season was one of the best in the history of South Shore. In the face of such conflicting statements, who is going to decide? The Building Plans Committee are exercising a wholesome influence, and the active co-operation of the owners of the fairground also being secured, there seems to be no occasion for Dr Prichard's pessimism.

Messrs. Bean and Outhwaite have all along manifested an earnest desire to have their portion of the Fairground well conducted and to exclude everything of an objectionable character.

The adjacent owners are also pursuing the same policy, and Councillor Bamber got in a good home-thrust when he said that it would be better for Blackpool if South Beach, in which some of his colleagues are interested, was as well conducted on Sundays as the South Shore Fairground.

Alfresco entertainments of the kind provided amidst the sand hills undoubtedly meet the wishes of a certain class of holiday-maker, who likes the mild excitement he finds here. Southport has shows of a similar type on its foreshore, much nearer the residential part of the town than is the case here, and we have also seen them at other popular resorts.

Even if the corporation were to oust the shows from the present place, they would in all probability reappear, perhaps in a worse form, in some other part of town.

The most sensible way of dealing with them is by the strict enforcement of regulations, which will be rendered comparatively easy by the friendly attitude adopted by the owners of the ground.

Of late years, the Fairground has become a place of very considerable importance, both as a centre of attraction to visitors and all from the point of view of its rateable value. It is, indeed, estimated that it has helped up the tramway takings to the tune of £3,000 a year, and that in rates alone it brings another £1,000 every year to the coffers of the Corporation, so that it has a strong claim for consideration.