Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
Yes, when I was working there, in the height of summer, when the park was open until 10pm, the place was crawling with all sorts of shady characters. I was staying in Addlethorpe at the time, and walking home, along Sea Lane outside the park, was a bit like walking down the strip in Playa Del Las Americas. You couldn't get more than 25 feet before being stopped and offered some kind of mind altering goodies. Obviously it wasn't paying park customers doing these things, just local scumbags looking to profit from the park's crowds. I don't know if it's changed much at night, but most UK towns seem to have gotten worse in this respect since 2004/05, so I can't see it being much better. Pick pockets were a massive issue too, even in the day. Cara had her bag stolen from the buggy (I know, rookie error.) Again though, these won't be paying park customers.
It's really not the park's fault, and there's not a lot they can do about it, given the 'open doors' way that they operate. The fact that they have the market means they're unlikely to solve the issue, the same way Blackpool did, with gated entry. I reiterate though, on my visits since the Mellors took over, I've been amazed by how much nicer the actual park feels, and how well it seems to be run these days. I can't say enough positive things on how they've turned it around, we visited the year before they took over, and it was desolate, the difference now is incredible. Just have your wits about you, especially in the market area, or surrounding streets.
Edit to add: I guess the way to approach Fanny Island, is to look at it as a street fair. Great fun, and definitely a must do, but they can also attract the wrong crowd, only there for other reasons, so have your wits about you.
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Hopefully others take a similar stance / approach now.