Blackpool was once a popular destination for British tourists . In the 1980s Blackpool would attract 17 million visitors . VBS : All - inclusive holidays to Australia eventually cut Blackpool 's business in half . In January 2009 , I went up there with Leo Leigh , with whom I made `` Swansea Love Story , '' and we spent a week with Leo 's aunt and uncle in their B & B , getting to know the residents of Blackpool as much as we could . Despite their bleak situation , Blackpool 's residents hang on to their traditional seaside values .
Blackpool was once a popular destination for British tourists . In the 1980s Blackpool would attract 17 million visitors . VBS : All - inclusive holidays to Australia eventually cut Blackpool 's business in half . Despite their bleak situation , Blackpool 's residents hang on to their traditional seaside values .