The purpose of the 2020 vision document is one of setting out a short and medium term vision for the development of the visitor economy of Lytham St. Annes. The publication of this document is prompted by the recent signing of the Fylde Coast Multi-Area Agreement (MAA) and the conclusion of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) funded Visitor Economy Pilot study and is prepared in advance of the hosting of the Open Golf Championships in 2012.
The document presents a number of key projects that would be delivered by 2020 and has the clear focus of positioning Lytham St. Annes as the jewel of the Northwest coast and thus being an important component of the regional visitor offer. These are; St. Annes Resort Area, Lytham Master Plan, Fairhaven Master Plan, the development of the Ribble Coast and Wetlands Regional Park, Connecting Infrastructure and Development Opportunities and Issues.
Fitting within these ‘2020 projects’ are a number of public realm projects which could be delivered for 2012. These ‘2012 projects’ are aimed at enhancing the visitor offer and experience whilst also bringing lasting benefit to the area. The public realm projects seek for the most part to extend the previous regeneration activity within the main town centre area of St. Annes and could see improvements in particular locations that could include Wood Street, Orchard & Park Road, The Station Approach & The Crescent, St. Andrews Road South, Clifton Drive, The Pier Link and Promenade, Ashton Gardens, Ansdell Station, Lytham and Design Corridors and Nodal Points.
In addition to the above projects, the document also outlines proposals for the development and delivery of the Classic Resort concept in Lytham St. Annes as a pilot. The Classic Resort is a hallmark of quality which would be awarded to resorts which demonstrate that they have achieved an outstanding level of service delivery and environmental quality. To deliver this concept in Lytham St. Annes would require the established of a resort board or partnership and the Council is now starting discussions with private sector partners.