What's wrong with Blackpool Tower?

 by Anne Ward

* “What's happened to the Tower?"

* Why isn’t it light all the way up?”

* “How do we get in?”

These are just a few of the questions I have been asked about Blackpool Tower. 

Once this majestic building was an iconic landmark of the North West. Standing more than 518ft tall and visible for miles around Blackpool Tower is famous all over the world. But now, with the steel rods and netting surrounding it, Blackpool Tower looks less like a listed building and more like a sore finger wrapped in a bandage.

I remember, as a child, learning to dance the waltz so that my father could take me round the Tower ballroom floor. The ballroom was famed for its specially sprung floor, to improve performance; its beautifully painted ceilings; and the Wurlitzer organ which came up through the stage.

I remember going to my first circus show at Blackpool Tower, where a polar bear swam in seawater that came in via a pump under the floor. The polar bears were joined by sea-lions: an awe inspiring sight to a 10 year old from an inland village.

I also remember, on the ground floor of the tower building, there was the aquarium with a large electric eel, wending its way around the enormous tank.

As an adult I bumped into Judith Chalmers filming for The Holiday Programme. Judith climbed to the top of Blackpool Tower, in the rain, and crossed the Walk Of Faith.

All these events, and more, are part of the way I remember Blackpool Tower's history.

Nowadays the front entrance is covered with a blue screen and the doors are very often locked. This is not a welcoming site.

I think it's time that the town planners and governing bodies  mended  Blackpool Tower, healed its wounds and opened it up again to entice those much needed tourists. I think it's time to give us locals our main attraction back, restored in all its glory, so we can be proud to talk about Blackpool Tower. 

After all, first impressions count and are remembered.