An innovative 'Seaside Strategy' to unlock the unfulfilled potential of Wales’ seaside towns and resorts launched by the Welsh Conservatives last week in Colwyn Bay will give struggling seaside resorts along the North Wales coast a massive boost.

The strategy includes measures to help small businesses in seaside towns – extending business rate relief, and improving access to finance; offering local communities an opportunity to bid to protect local assets; and establishing an arm’s length body to replace Visit Wales, and drive forward improvements to seaside facilities.

Clwyd West AM Darren Millar said the strategy will be of great benefit to seaside resorts in North Wales.  

“We live in a beautiful part of Wales, offering stunning beaches and some of the best visitor attractions, restaurants and pubs in the region, but unfortunately our seaside resorts have been struggling because of the lack of support they receive from the Welsh Government. This strategy will give them the boost they need to reverse their demise and help transform them into the thriving towns they once were.     

“It is a clear strategy to support towns all around our beautiful coastlines and to help bring in tourists and make Wales a more prosperous nation. I know it will be very much welcomed by businesses in Conwy and Denbighshire who have been calling for this kind of support for years.

“Our seaside resorts have suffered long enough, it’s high time they were revived.”  

 Welsh Conservatives have also pledged to improve awareness of the UK Government’s ‘Coastal Communities Fund’ and ensure that Welsh towns benefit from the next round of funding, which is due to start in 2016/17. The fund is specifically designed to help seaside towns become year round destinations, supporting our local tourism sector and sustaining jobs.

The Welsh Conservative Strategy for the Seaside includes plans to:

-        Scrap Visit Wales;

We would establish an arm’s-length body to manage and promote Welsh tourism. An arm’s-length body would oversee a “shift in culture” at the heart of Welsh tourism and would embrace the introduction of industry elected representatives.

-        Strengthen the Seaside economy;

We have announced a package of measures to boost small Welsh businesses: extending business rate relief, improving access to finance, and bolstering skills and training opportunities in Wales.

-        Improving seaside facilities;

We would direct Local Authorities to ensure a minimum standard of facilities in tourist areas, including seaside towns; For example, improving access to public toilets, adequate parking provision, and accessibility for disabled people.

-        ’Seaside Awards’ for social regeneration projects;

A new arm’s-length body would establish an award scheme which recognises the best in local seaside regeneration projects, ensuring that best practice is shared and rewarding programmes that ensure sustainable seaside-based jobs.

-        Community Right to Bid;

We would offer local communities the right to bid to protect and preserve key local seaside amenities; including pubs, community halls, and piers.

-        Ensure Wales Benefits From Coastal Communities Fund;

Provide substantial support to Wales’ coastal communities so they benefit from the next round of funding available via the UK Government’s Costal Communities Fund; ending the Welsh Labour Government’s dismissive approach to this vital opportunity for support.

-        Make our beaches ‘Blue’;

We would launch a campaign to have more of Wales’ beaches designated with blue flag status, and to encourage local communities to introduce local seaside recycling initiatives. 

-        Publish an annual ‘State of the Seaside’ Report;

A new arm’s-length tourism promotion body would publish an annual ‘state of play’ report, which would be debated at Committee and Assembly level; its findings would inspire debate and discussion around future improvements to our cherished seaside towns. The body would also be responsible for developing a ‘new visitor strategy’ working with local business and tourism operators to boost ‘staycations’ and other visits. 

-        Increase flood risk awareness, and end irresponsible development;

We would designate land close to coastlines as 'Blue Belt' land to prevent future residential development. Additionally, we would raise awareness among seaside businesses and residents about flood risks.

Picture Caption: Clwyd West AM Darren Millar and Welsh Conservative Leader Andrew RT Davies AM in Colwyn Bay town centre