Visitors flocking to the Somerset beachfront town, Weston-super-Mare for a holiday have returned disappointed as they describe the town as a “bleak shadow” of its former self.
The once bustling resort is home to a long, sandy beach, a Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare Museum, Grand Pier, SeaQuarium aquarium, and seasonal Wheel of Weston.
However, visitors on TripAdvisor have now referred to the town as a “dump with a sea view”.
Jan V from Birmingham wrote: “Weston Super Mare has often been described as a dump with a sea view, and from my experience yesterday following an absence of 30 years, nothing has changed much, except there is now the burned-out crumbling remains of the abandoned old pier left to photograph.”
Another user on TripAdvisor also described the town as “a dump” and said the best part of the visit was the “motorway back home”.
Expanding on their opinion, user dansF2379FS wrote: “Most of the arcade machines are broken or rob your money! Too many empty shops or spaces where things could be built.”
Another visitor whose wife had mobility problems found it difficult to navigate through the promenade.
He wrote: “Used to be a nice place to visit. Hadn’t visited for a few years, and will not be visiting again. Very run down. But the biggest problem was trying to walk along the promenade. My wife has mobility problems, and had to try dodging dozens of cycles, e-bikes, e-scooters, and skateboards.”
Barry S claimed he was disappointed in the “overpriced food” and “run-down shops” claiming there was nothing for children to do in the town.
On the other hand, some reviewers really enjoyed the “classic” look of the beach with plenty of options for “fish and chips”.
Another visitor who went with a group of adults with learning disabilities stated “everyone was very understanding and accommodating” and they did not encounter any issues.
Others highlighted the “miles of good clean sand” and spotted “regular safety patrols” during their stay.
The seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare attracts nearly 750,000 visitors every year, according to Kingdom Services Group, who work with local authorities to improve the seafront attractions and make the area safe.
The town has a population of approximately 76,000 and tourism plays a significant role in boosting the local economy.
Express.co.uk has approached North Somerset Council for comment on tourism in Weston-super-Mare.
