17 street scenes which show Blackpool at its grottiest

By Claire Lark

Published 18th Apr 2023, 04:55 BST

Every single one of these retro pictures show Blackpool strewn with litter.

Of course our lovely resort hasn’t always been like that but these pictures do define eras when it was at its worst. Much of it was down to strikes and indifferences between industry and the council. And in some cases there were wrangles over the size of dustbins. Seasonal events were also to blame.

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This was in 1987 when industrial relations in Blackpool had hit rock bottom with a strike by refuse collectors and street cleaners. The council was also refusing to re-instate three sacked workers

1. Blackpool's grotty past

This was in 1987 when industrial relations in Blackpool had hit rock bottom with a strike by refuse collectors and street cleaners. The council was also refusing to re-instate three sacked workers Photo: National World

This was August 1990. The story pinned to the picture suggested that Blackpool had the country's most litter strewn streets. However it also had the best health service in the country and one of the lowest crime rates

2. Blackpool's grotty past

This was August 1990. The story pinned to the picture suggested that Blackpool had the country's most litter strewn streets. However it also had the best health service in the country and one of the lowest crime rates Photo: National World

Piled up rubbish and dirty gutters along the Golden Mile in October 1970

3. Blackpool's grotty past

Piled up rubbish and dirty gutters along the Golden Mile in October 1970 Photo: National World

This was 1967 and it looks like the story was about bins being too small

4. Blackpool's grotty past

This was 1967 and it looks like the story was about bins being too small Photo: National World

Angry residents were battling for action over a rubbish tip which they claimed was infested with rats in Anchorsholme. A young boy is pictured near the Ashton Road tip

5. Blackpool's grotty past

Angry residents were battling for action over a rubbish tip which they claimed was infested with rats in Anchorsholme. A young boy is pictured near the Ashton Road tip Photo: National World

This was the back of Hull Road, mid 80s

6. Blackpool's grotty past

This was the back of Hull Road, mid 80s Photo: National World