The UK's 'dying seaside town' with pretty sandy beach that's crying out for more tourists
This seaside town often gets overlooked by visitors in favour of its more famous neighbours, but it has stunning sandy beaches and a charming town centre.
Withernsea, a seaside town on the East Yorkshire coast, is calling for more tourists to rejuvenate their "run-down" community.
While neighbouring destinations like Scarborough, Whitby, and Bridlington thrive during the summer months, Withernsea is often overlooked despite its charming sandy beach, idyllic views, arcades, ice-cream parlors, and fish and chip shops.
Locals have mixed feelings about the town’s relative obscurity.
Some residents appreciate the quiet, "time-warped" atmosphere that makes Withernsea a peaceful retreat, particularly for pensioners. However, there is a growing concern about the economic stagnation and the closure of independent businesses due to a lack of footfall, and the economic struggles in Withernsea are stark.
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According to the English indices of deprivation, half of the homes in the Withernsea East and Patrington area rank among the most impoverished in the UK.
The town has a dense population of 5,766 residents within a 1.2-mile radius.
In response, East Riding Council has launched several initiatives to regenerate the town and support local businesses.
Peter Ashworth, a 28-year-old resident who moved to Withernsea from Bradford, described the area’s decline since his family’s relocation. While he appreciates the peaceful environment, he worries about the town’s apathy and the high turnover of shops.
"We get fancy little shops which open, but they only last a few months," Ashworth told Yorkshire Live.
"It feels more like a dying seaside town. We used to holiday here, and it was always bustling, but that’s rarely the case nowadays."
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Pensioners Richard and Sharron Mennell, who moved to Withernsea from West Yorkshire 21 years ago, share similar concerns. Despite being content with their life in the seaside town, they feel that Withernsea has been forgotten.
"A lot of people don’t know Withernsea exists," Sharron noted.
"It seems to jump from Hornsea right to the other side of the estuary."
But, not everyone shares this bleak outlook. East Riding Tory councillor and café owner Paul Whitehead argued that Withernsea is "thriving."
He highlighted the town’s affordable housing and upcoming developments as positive indicators, saying: "The house prices are still relatively low compared to the UK average and yet significantly increasing. Businesses that are established are doing well, and there’s a £600,000 investment being put into the Promenade."
Helena Moss, regeneration and funding group manager for East Riding Council, stressed the importance of Withernsea to the region and detailed several projects aimed at revitalizing the town.
These include the South Withernsea Coastal Defence Scheme completed in 2020 and ongoing efforts to transform the seafront based on resident feedback.
Additionally, 24 high street businesses have benefited from the Love Your High Street Funding, with over £100,000 allocated for shop front improvements and property refurbishments.
