COASTAL INVESTMENT
Small seaside town voted UK’s safest place to live set for £140k redevelopment – including historic revamp
Locals say living in the town is like travelling back in time 50 years
A SMALL seaside resort voted the safest place to live in the UK has undergone a historic revamp.
The North Wales town has a long history of welcoming tourists, earning itself the title "Queen of the Welsh Watering Places".
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Llandudno, which is home to around 19,700 residents, has been described as one of the safest places to live in the UK.
Overlooking the Irish Sea, the town is nestled between two sandy beaches, North Shore beach and West Shore Beach, which have drawn in visitors since the 1800s.
Located just an hour and 20 minutes from Liverpool, Llandudno has a wide range of historic sites, including the Victorian promenade known at The Parade and the iconic pier, built in 1877.
The pier, which was recently restored after a storm last year, was named one of the best in UK.
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On the town's west side, an unusual circular shelter can be spotted on the seafront.
The West Shore Tram Shelter previously served the Llandudno and Colwyn Bay Electric Railway.
Beginning in 1907, this electric tramway operated between Llandudno and Rhos-on-Sea before later extending to Colwyn Bay in 1908.
Service continued until the route's closure in 1956 .
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In 1929, the unique shelter was constructed for passengers and beach-goers alike.
It is considered a notable example of early 20th-century tram infrastructure and designed in a circular plan with iron columns, metal glazing, and a copper-clad dome.
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The building remains one of the few surviving structures from Llandudno's once extensive tram system and has received a Grade II listing.
It continues to be a point of interest for visitors and tramway enthusiasts, confirming its historical significance within the town.
While the shelter fell into disrepair over the decades, the community renovated the property as part of a wider £140,000 investment in the seafront.
Part of the local collective was (FOWS), who successful submitted a key fund grant application.
The project involved refurbishing the tired-looking, rusting, cast iron tram shelter.
‘Downtrodden’ English ghost town where locals feel ‘left behind’ being turned into ‘vibrant’ shopping hub in £9m revamp
By Nicole Cherruault
A "DOWNTRODDEN" English ghost town is being turned into a "vibrant" shopping hub in a £9million revamp.
The town in northern Manchester set to totally transform as the council launches a multi-million pound "vision for change" after locals complained the town felt "left behind".
More than 600 people were consulted over renovation plans in Eccles, Salford and work has now started on demolishing the town's shopping centre, which was suffering from falling visitors numbers.
Following the demolition stage, a development partner will be appointed to bring new life to what residents described as a "downtrodden" town, reports Manchester Evening News.
The objective, the council said, is to create a "vibrant" and a "fit for purpose" centre for people to enjoy.
Attracting more independent retailers, and new bars and cafes are among the council's top priorities.
And just three miles from Salford Quays and Manchester city centre, the redevelopment project looks set to transform the area into a buzzing place for young professionals and business owners.
This comes as locals despaired over the ailing town, saying they felt it had been "left behind" and it was in desperate need of some "drastic" improvements.
The council stressed that the demolition work will be a long process, with the initial phase due only to be completed by the end of the year.
However, Councillor Mike McCusker reassured locals that despite the renovations, the town centre "remains open for business", stressing that the works only affect a few areas.
He said: “Whilst we work on the town centre of the future, today’s town centre remains open for business,” said Coun Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development at Salford council.
“I want to stress that this demolition work only affects certain parts of the town centre.
“The shops and businesses on Church Street are still open for business and unaffected by this work.”
Meanwhile, Councillor McCusker, who represents the Eccles ward, shared his enthusiasm for the project, in particular for its focus on the local community.
In a statement, he spoke of his "excitement" for the times ahead in materialising their vision for a brighter, more dynamic Eccles.
He said “Through our purchase of the shopping centre, we were able to put the future of the town centre in the hands of the council and the community.
“It has enabled us to begin this important and long-overdue programme of work, to deliver the vision we have developed with the community.
“The demolition work will take some time, but there are exciting times ahead for Eccles as we work to bring this vision to life.”
Funding not only enabled a full refurbishment to return the shelter to its former glory, but it has also helped create a site for public information, included details on local history topics.
The restoration work has also provided a safe and secure space for future community events.
And the refurbishment of the historic structure has likely contributed to the local feeling that living in the area is like "going back 50 years", as reported by .
The two-mile stretch of Victorian terraces features grand hotels and a number of beautiful shops, restaurants, churches, and museums to explore.
While the pier has a handful of slot machines and a pub overlooking the beach.
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But it was on the town's quieter West Shore, where Alice Liddell, of Alice in Wonderland fame, spent long summer holidays during her childhood.
You can summit the Great Orme on the , enjoying scenic views from just £10.15 off-peak and £11.85 on-peak.
Or you can get another taste of history at the , with tickets beginning at £12.50.
And for just £4.25, you can experience civilian life during World War II at the local .
After a long day on the beach or bustling pier, there are a variety of gastro-pubs to choose from, including and .
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For travellers planning to make a weekend of it, there are a variety of accommodation options available, including the central , with rooms from just £59 per night.
And if that's not enough reasons to visit, Llandudno was named one of the cheapest places in the UK for a beach break.
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