All posts tagged: seaside

M&S planning supermarket return to UK seaside town | UK | News

M&S planning supermarket return to UK seaside town | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

The M&S located in the town centre and traded for 94 years before shutting and is now Kent’s biggest indoor market, Petticoat Lane Emporium. M&S now looks to take over a former Homebase store in Park Farm Retail Park in Folkestone that shut last year, according to reports. The town was earmarked for a new store last year, when the retail giant drew up a list of towns, cities and suburbs it hoped to bring a food branch to. Planning documents have been submitted to the Folkestone and Hythe District Council. The documents show that M&S looks to divide the unit into two different stores. The second unit is proposed to be a Home Bargains. M&S is set to be housed within a 2,323 square meters unit, while Home Bargains would measure 2,309 square meters. The project looks to transform a “large vacant retail unit” back into a hub of activity, according to the application. Approval would see an M&S Foodhall in the seaside town. The exterior of the building is set to undergo a …

Incredible UK seaside town sees house prices plummet – ‘beautiful’ | UK | News

Incredible UK seaside town sees house prices plummet – ‘beautiful’ | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

Research by a UK estate agent has revealed the seaside town where house prices are plummeting. Many coastal areas see prices soaring, as being by the sea is considered a rather attractive feature in a neighbourhood. However, that is not the case everywhere. Yopa Estate Agents recently revealed in a study that house prices in Seahouses, Northumberland, have dropped by 38% in a year. The study revealed that the average property price in Seahouses now sits at £259,346, down from £418,476 in March 2025. This is likely a “price correction” following the pandemic, says Verona Frankish, the firm’s chief executive. She revealed that many of the UK’s coastal hotspots “enjoyed exceptional levels of house price growth during the pandemic”, and that it has taken some years for things to return to normal. Seahouses is a coastal village and working harbour in Northumberland, located in an area of natural beauty that attracts visitors year-round. In the town itself, you will find some great pubs as well as fish and chip shops. Meanwhile, some consider the coastal …

Seaside town ‘dying on its feet’ — ‘even the charity shops are closed’ | UK | News

Seaside town ‘dying on its feet’ — ‘even the charity shops are closed’ | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

Residents and visitors say this once-popular seaside town now resembles a ‘ghost town’ (Image: Gavin Nicholas) Not so long ago, it was a jewel in the crown of this beautiful corner of the UK — now residents and visitors say it resembles a “ghost town” and a frustrated shopkeeper has voiced fears for his “dying” town. Each year millions of tourists pass through the gateway seaside town of Pwllheli on the beautiful Llŷn Peninsula of north-west Wales but fewer are stopping as the shutters go up. Long-time caravan owners have quit the area and those visitors who do venture into the town say they have been “shocked” by the desolation: “Even half the charity shops were shut when I visited,” said a woman online. Businessman Gavin Nicholas this week posted a dozen photos of buildings from a single street that until recently were occupied by local traders. A few years ago, Gaol Street was thriving area with around 30 shops, North Wales Live reports — now just eight remain. As Mr Nicholas fights ever-rising costs …

7 Seaside Romance Books to Pack in Your Beach Bag

7 Seaside Romance Books to Pack in Your Beach Bag

Published by Jenni Sidey

Penguin Random House Audio, For Romance Fans! Dolly Brick built her life—brick by brick—on one rule: rely on no one. Not after her mom left. Not now, back home trying to save her family. Then there’s Stewart Whitfield—charming, complicated, and suddenly everywhere. What starts as a favor turns into something deeper… and a lot more dangerous. Because for someone who’s always been solid as a brick, the scariest thing isn’t losing everything—it’s needing someone. Narrated by Julia Whelan, DOLLY ALL THE TIME by Annabel Monaghan is available now wherever books and audiobooks are sold. The term “beach read” broke containment a while ago from people familiar with book marketing, and now it’s a staple of bookstore displays. A beach read does not necessarily have to take place at a beach, but my summertime reading does tend to gravitate towards beach settings. As far as romance, the seaside is an ideal setting for falling in love. Seaside romances span genre and time period, but the rolling waves are a constant. My picks focus on both magical …

Tell us about your favourite European seaside hotels offering affordable glamour | Travel

Tell us about your favourite European seaside hotels offering affordable glamour | Travel

Published by Sam Flores

Finding affordable hotel accommodation in Europe’s coastal hotspots in summer can be a challenge, especially if you’d rather not settle for a soulless budget chain or youth hostel. Whether it’s a grand old hotel on the French Riviera that oozes faded glamour or a charming guesthouse on the Amalfi coast, we’d love to hear about European seaside hotels that feel special without blowing the budget. The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website. Keep your tip to about 100 words If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words we will be judging for the competition. We’re sorry, but for legal reasons you must be a UK resident to enter this competition. The competition closes on Monday 8 June at 10am BST Have a look at our past winners and other tips Read the …

Body found in seaside village after desperate search for missing man

Body found in seaside village after desperate search for missing man

Published by Sam Flores

Police have found a body in their search for a missing man. Lee Butler, 36, was last seen at his home in Staffordshire on Tuesday (May 26). Officers believed that Lee had travelled to Wales when a major search was launched after he was reported missing. On Sunday, residents in Ogmore by Sea in the Vale of Glamorgan reportedly saw helicopters and drones being used to help with the search. Others also said they saw RNLI lifeboats searching the coast. Lee Butler’s friends also joined the operation, travelling from the midlands to Wales to offer their aid. Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter They have since posted on social media that their next steps will be to bring Lee home to Staffordshire where he can be laid to rest, WalesOnline reports. His mum Sharon posted a tribute on Facebook, saying: “There are no words to describe the heartbreak of losing you. As your mother, I loved you from the moment you came into this world, and …

Tragedy as woman dies attempting to rescue dog at seaside beauty spot

Tragedy as woman dies attempting to rescue dog at seaside beauty spot

Published by Sam Flores

A woman has tragically died after she attempted to rescue a pet dog from the sea at Thornton-Cleveleys. The woman in her 60s was treated at the scene but was sadly pronounced dead at hospital. The man, also in his 60s, was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition. Police said the dog was recovered from the sea “safe and well”, reports Lancashire Live. A spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary said: “Shortly after 8:31pm yesterday, we were contacted by the ambulance service to inform us they were treating two people after they had been recovered from the sea in Thornton Cleveleys by HM Coastguard. “Our officers attended the scene, near to Fleetwood Beach Cafe. At this time, we understand that a man and a woman had got into difficulty in the water after entering to rescue their dog who had become stuck. “They were treated at the scene, but sadly the woman, aged in her 60s, was pronounced dead at hospital. Enquiries to identify her next of kin are ongoing. “The man, also …

UK high street giant closes store in seaside town | UK | News

UK high street giant closes store in seaside town | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

The shop has closed for good (Image: Getty) A UK seaside town has waved goodbye to a popular shop, with locals now fearing the worst for the area. The fashion retailer, which operates around 200 shops across the UK and Ireland, closed the store for good on Wednesday (May 27). The closure of River Island in Llandudno, Wales, has left shoppers “gutted”. Some have blamed the rise of online shopping for the closure, while other have pointed towards increasing costs for businesses. Posters were put on the front windows of the shop at Parc Llandudno, reading: “This store is closing. Wednesday, May 27. Thanks for shopping with us – we’ve had a blast. You can still shop the latest trends at riverisland.com and nearby locations. With love, Ri x.” The store in Llandudno was not among the 33 closures announced by River Island earlier this year. The wider closures comes part of a restructuring and cost-cutting plan following multi-million pound losses. Huge fight erupts on UK beach as feral youths attack police and force families …

UK seaside town’s famous theme park to open new £8.7m ride on Thursday | UK | News

UK seaside town’s famous theme park to open new £8.7m ride on Thursday | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

An iconic UK seaside town theme park is set for a major boost this week with the opening of a huge new ride. The ride, which cost £8.72 billion to build, seats 40 riders and has been dubbed a “completely unique experience”. Blackpool Pleasure Beach will officially open Aviktas, a gyro-swing ride, to the public on Thursday (May 21). The record-breaking attraction stands 88ft tall and swings riders at angles of up to 120 degrees, reaching a peak height of 138ft – making it the tallest ride of its kind in the UK. This week’s launch marks the start of Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s 130th-anniversary season, which will also introduce a number of new rides and attractions. Aviktas, which will be situated on the former Bowl-A-Drome site, will be outward facing meaning riders will have sweeping views of the sea and the famous Blackpool Tower. It has been shielded from public view during its construction, with the site protected by fencing and hoarding until this week. Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort said: “This …

UK seaside town hotel plunges into administration – 4.7 on Tripadvisor | UK | News

UK seaside town hotel plunges into administration – 4.7 on Tripadvisor | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

A UK seaside hotel in Eastbourne has plunged into administration, according to The Gazette notice. Administrators Andrew Andronikou and Andrew Hosking, both of BTG Begbies Traynor, were appointed on May 14. OYO Devonshire Park Hotel is located in a Victorian-era building opposite the Towner Eastbourne and the Congress Theatre. Situated around 200 metres from Eastbourne seafront, the hotel is within walking distance of local attractions including Eastbourne Pier and the Eastbourne Bandstand. The nearby Beachy Head cliffs can be reached in approximately five minutes by car. The hotel provides spacious en-suite rooms equipped with free Wi-Fi, satellite television and DVD players, along with complimentary designer toiletries. The property offers free private on-site parking and operates a 24-hour reception service. Guests also have access to two lounge areas featuring a small library and a DVD collection. The hotel’s Godfreys Restaurant serves breakfast daily and opens for dinner on selected evenings each week. An on-site bar offers beer, wine and mixed drinks. It is fairly popular among visitor, with a 4.7 out of 5 stars rating on …