Blackpool Beach deckchairs make a comeback after being bought by entrepreneur
CANNY Maria Hopwood has cornered the market in Blackpool Beach deckchairs – and is busy turning the vintage Golden Mile rejects into a money-spinning gold mine.
Maria Hopwood snapped up the chairs because she 'felt storrry'
You would think hiring out deckchairs on Britain’s most famous beach would be a breeze, but apparently not for town hall bosses in Blackpool.
In the resort’s 1950s heyday they made £2million a year from their hire – the chairs as much a part of Blackpool as sticks of rock and fish and chips.
But back in 2011 council bosses put the loungers into storage after a fall in demand.
I was probably the only person in the country who wanted to buy the whole lot
Then, in 2014, it sold off its remaining stock, saying holidaymakers would rather sit on benches or the £500,000 Spanish-style steps built on its remodelled seafront.
Now three years after selling off the last of their 40,000 foldaway chairs Maria, who bought a job lot, is sitting pretty as the nostalgic seats make a comeback.
Maria says she snapped up the chairs because she “felt sorry” for something which is “part of our heritage”.
Maria is sitting pretty as the nostalgic seats make a comeback
Her Chester-based firm The Stripes Company has invested more than £25,000 in the venture.
As well as the loungers Maria bought 1,000 windbreaks and 120 ticket machines.
“I was probably the only person in the country who wanted to buy the whole lot,” she said.
The council had to sell them, “because they didn’t have money to do them up,” she added.
“I couldn’t believe my luck”.
Now after selling scores to people pining for a reminder of the days of the great British seaside holiday, she rents out the rest to weddings, events and garden parties.
Maria rents out the rest to weddings, events and garden parties
Some even featured on ITV’s popular drama Downton Abbey.
“We didn’t alter them, just spruced them up – they still have the old Blackpool Council stamp on them. It seems that people love the novelty and nostalgia of it all.
“I think the Golden Mile looks a sadder place without them. If they wanted, Blackpool Council could buy some back, but I don’t think they’re interested.”