A CRUMBLING UK seaside town left to rot with a “diarrhoea sludge” and derelict lido is set for a £23million revamp.
Disgruntled residents in Whitehaven, Cumbria, were fed-up with boarded up shops, a dilapidating pub and outdated gaming centres.
The Turdtowns video focuses on water at Whitehaven in Cumbria[/caption]
There is also a crumbling Lido and outdated gaming centres[/caption]
Turdtowns seek out Britain’s worst places to live[/caption]
YouTuber Turdtowns, who visited the town, said previously: “Whilst it no longer seems like it’s a haven for anything judging by the state of the place, the key word here is potential.
“I can see that they are trying here, they haven’t given up hope, and believe it or not they were actually some tourists here around the harbour area.”
They continued: “The place contains lots of smashed-up, wrecked buildings but many of them have notices stuck to them advising that they will soon be transformed into something.”
Despite its setbacks, the video presenter did say he was impressed by the area’s architecture and friendly community.
But they concluded: “I don’t hate it here, what I do hate is this filthy orange water, what would even cause this?
“It’s another issue holding this place back, this is one of the first things the tourists are going to see.
“Sort this pollution out, maybe Whitehaven could offer boat tours for the tourists but until then I’m not going anywhere near this luminous caramel diarrhoea sludge.”
But now the town is being revitalised by an eye-watering £63million boost.
It is hoped the funding will breathe a new lease of life into the fading seaside resort.
The council is one of 30 across the country that has been helped by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government.
Their request of £23.439million has been agreed in-principle in the 2025-2026 financial year.
The cash influx will assist the council in coping with issues that are deemed to be “unmanageable”.
A statement from the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government said: “The government is under no illusions about the scale of financial issues facing councils and is committed to restoring stability and bringing forward reform to ensure local government is fit, legal and decent and can play its critical role in providing the services communities rely on.
“Reform will take time however and there is potential for continued instability as we work to fix the foundations of local government.”
Emma Williamson, deputy leader of Cumberland Council, told White Haven News: “I am proud to lead the masterplan for the regeneration of Whitehaven on behalf of Cumberland council.
“The masterplan will reflect our residents’ hopes for our town and it’s critical that we drive this forward. It is about more than just revitalisation, it is about inspiring a community to create brighter futures, in which innovation compliments heritage and our voice shapes a vibrant, sustainable legacy.”
A Cumberland Council spokesperson said: “We are moving forward with a new masterplan for the town centre, and are taking stock on the various tools available and what steps can be done to bring vacant units back into use.
“In bringing the masterplan forward we are committed to working in effective partnership and will be taking stock of all available options including the use of enforcement powers.
“The council is committed to improving Whitehaven Town Centre and alongside current works to improve the public realm; the past year has also seen us deliver a deep clean and improvements to Castle Park.
“We have invested in Whitehaven as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and we are also trying to persuade building owners to tidy up their premises.”
Josh MacAlister, the MP for Whitehaven and Workington, added how the “regeneration” was one of his “top priorities”.
This comes as Brits living in another “crumbling” coastal town with a “dying” town centre could also soon benefit from a £20 million revamp.
The Essex seaside town has been dubbed the “worst place to live in the UK” and is one of the most deprived areas nationwide.
Clacton-on-Sea is set to be transformed as part of a government regeneration project.
The funding is likely to be injected into the disused town centre which sits in one of the most deprived neighbourhoods in England, according to data by the Ministry of Housing.
Residents have been impacted by the decline, describing the “horrible atmosphere” of the town centre.
One local even told the Sun how they went out of their way to “spend as little time as possible in the town”.
The £19.7 million cash injection from the Ministry of House, Communities and Local Government has left councillors delighted.
The cash is set to be used as part of a series of projects in Clacton and nearby Jaywick Sands.
These include a £3 million investment to develop the leisure centre.
Whilst the first set of projects includes a seafront art and community micro venue and improved shopfronts, the second wave is set to be brought forward later this year.
Elsewhere, locals and business owners in a town once dubbed “one of the worst in the UK” have revealed they feel “embarrassed” by the state of the town centre.
Torquay in South Devon was dubbed the “Queen of the English Riviera” due to its mild climate, picture-perfect beaches and links to Agatha Christie.
But last year a Which? survey named Torquay as Brits’ least favourite town.
Scored across categories including value for money, food and drink, accommodation, cultural sights, ease of getting around and lack of crowds, Torquay only managed to achieve an overall score of 58 per cent.
But Torquay Council plans to begin work on a major redevelopment of the Union Square complex off Union Street.
The existing shopping centre will be replaced with around 100 new homes, healthcare facilities and shops.
If the planning application is approved, construction will begin next , which the council say will “revitalise” the area.
Whitehaven was described as having ‘potential’[/caption]
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