Written by Ben Tallon
The creative industry has an increasingly prominent role in social issues. As a child, I would visit Blackpool, Morecambe and other vibrant seaside towns for family holidays. Whilst these towns still have many positives, there has undoubtedly been something lost since the advent of low-cost airlines and cheap access to European countries with better weather than the UK.
Deco Publique, a local Morecambe creative company producing project commissions and delivering creative festivals are leading by example with the brilliant Street Art project on Morecambe's Victoria Street. The creative regeneration project is utilising artists and designers to carry out a series of large scale works throughout the town centre, along with a rebranding of the local Arndale centre, leading with the town's local history, sporting achievements and seaside traditions.
I head up to Morecambe Bay to talk to all the people involved about what creativity can bring to counter the loss of tourism and inspire both local people and visitors.
Project leaders Deco Publique, Hemingway Design's Wayne Hemingway, 23 time Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness, local artists and residents join me to discuss.
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