Blackpool's tourism boss steps down

[Jason]

BLACKPOOL'S top tourism post is being axed – just four years after it was restored.
Director of tourism Jane Seddon is to leave the council's team after 23 years following this year's Illuminations switch-on, as part of a restructure.

Mrs Seddon today described the decision to leave as "a difficult one", but added: "With the imminent completion of a modernisation and restructuring programme I feel this is the right time for me to seek new challenges."

A review of VisitBlackpool, the rebranded tourism department, has been completed by the executive director of tourism and regeneration Jackie Potter, who herself is leaving Blackpool Council at the start of July.

Mrs Seddon said: "It has been a great honour for me to both work for and latterly lead VisitBlackpool.

"I will be standing down after this year's switch-on but would like to thank everyone and wish Blackpool all the best for its exciting future."

The tourism director's post was controversially axed by the previous Labour administration in 1995 with the early retirement, for health reasons, of Barry Morris.

Mrs Seddon, who had been his assistant, was made head of tourism until the director's role was restored in 2004, following pressure from the tourism industry and the then-opposition Conservative group.

Now it will disappear again under the latest restructuring.

In its place comes a new title – head of events and tourism – answering to Mrs Potter's successor.

Applications for the executive director's post closed on Monday.

Coun Maxine Callow, cabinet member for tourism and regeneration, said: "This marks a new era for Blackpool.

"By driving forward event development and expanding both the number and diversity of events, we plan to give millions more people great reasons to visit Blackpool.

"The news of Jane's departure comes as Blackpool is bidding for money to create an arena on the Tower Headland giving us a new venue to stage world class events."

She said Blackpool Council would continue to develop the town's tourism product, working alongside the private sector.

The recently formed Business Leadership Team, under Philip Welsh, former managing director of The Gazette, will play a key role in creating what Coun Callow described as "a new style of partnership allowing the town to work together better".

[jooby]

Only time will tell....