A town in decline. It has a magnificent beach (really) with golden sand ideal for sandcastles until the tide goes out and the mud is revealed. However the positive – generations of people from the West Midlands have visited W-s-M as it is the first sandy beach when heading south-west. The arrival of the railway line and the development of the pier made it popular. Today the sea front is well maintained with sympathetic flood defences. however this is where the positives disappear. Firstly the parking is expensive – personally I wonder if a drop off service like at airports would bring more revenue and be less intrusive?
However it is the Town Centre that is truly ****ed! The 1980’s (I think) Sovereign Centre was built with M&S and C&A as flagship stores at either end. C&A went long ago to be replaced with Wilco’s – all have now gone. A walk down the pedestrianised High Street is one where beggars and the smell of dope pervades. Tattoo parlours, betting shops, charity shops, vape shops dominate. There is nothing welcoming, despite the cost of parking!
The council does its best with flowers and attractions, but the town has died! tje only people I know who visit Weston do so to visit the bank! the only shops of interest are up side streets where parking meters deter the casual shopper.
The restaurants are based. around fish and chips, burgers and kebabs.
Imagine how a Severn Barrage would have impacted the town – a thriving harbour, a tide that did not go out quite so far, safe swimming. Back to the begining – it has a magnificent beach – well cleaned by the council.