Two run down empty shops have been given a spruce up, thanks to Blackpool Council.



The properties on Coronation Street had both been abandoned and left in a poor condition, with no prospect of the units being sold or leased looking likely in the near future.

Both buildings, Simply Food and Drink and the newsagents on the corner with Hornby Road, had been left empty for over a year, gradually deteriorating and bringing down the look of the local area.

With permissions from both owners, work was carried out last week to repair, re-paint and renovate both properties making them more secure and waterproof, as well as making the area look brighter.

Both are now in a better condition than previously, which is hoped will encourage more businesses to take on the units in the near future.

Talbot ward councillor, Mark Smith, instigated the works after concerns from local residents that the poor properties were bringing the area down.

He said: “We’ve been doing a lot of work recently to try and make Coronation Street and brighter area for residents and traders. Bringing back two-way traffic to Coronation Street and Hornby Road as well as the new bus shelter should bring more passing trade and better bins which should make the area cleaner.

“There is definitely potential for businesses on Coronation Street to prosper but we have to create the right economic conditions to attract them, which involves making the run down properties look more desirable to investors.

“We’ve offered this help as a one-off to improve the local area, however the onus is now on those landlords whose properties are being left behind. They have a duty to make their shopfronts nicer, whether they are being used or are left empty.

“If they don’t do that then we have the powers within the council to enforce against them – and we won’t hesitate to use them.”