Table of Contents
Southport and New Brighton have been ranked among the worst seaside towns in the country by consumer group Which?, with scores of just 53% and 51% respectively.
As reported by the Liverpool Echo, the two Merseyside resorts were listed in the bottom 15 of 30 seaside towns and villages assessed by the consumer champion, with ratings based on criteria including food and drink, scenery, attractions and hotel prices.
Shockingly, New Brighton received one star for tourist attractions and its shopping. Southport was handed one star for both hotel prices and its beach, and two stars for scenery, attractions and value for money.
However, New Brighton locals have hit back at their ranking.
In New Brighton, Victoria Road has seen steady improvement since local businessman Dan Davies bought several properties along the street, as the Echo reported. Independent cafes including Social114 and Smugglers Cave now sit alongside pubs and bars such as Rockpoint Records and the popular Merseyside-based brewhouse The Hoptimist.
Not to mention, volunteers have been working away at the town's Victoria Quarter to add more plants and colour to the town. New Brighton has received more funding recently, so many people are confused by the ranking.
New Brighton has apparently been described by locals as a seaside town on the up. Still, the writer of the Echo article described it as a "typical seaside town". He acknowledged it could benefit from more independent shops along the waterfront, which currently features chain restaurants including Nando's and Prezzo.
"In my opinion, New Brighton's 51% rating seems unduly unfair," he concluded.
