Blackpool Shopping

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The Coronation Rock Company was founded in 1927, they sell rock throughout the UK, in Europe, The Canary and Balearic Islands and as far away as Australia. They make rock for loads of different companys and they make THE best rock. They wil let you visit the factory and see the rock being made, you don't need an appointment just call in. (it's near the airport)
the shop is at the back of the Tower.

What to buy: Errrr Rock

Blackpool Town centre has been fully designed to offer a selection of shops and boasts most of the major retail names. The recent development of the Hounds Hill Shopping Centre has added another feature to shopping with undercover arcades and pedestrial ways to make your shopping trip a pleasure. Also Blackpool is famous of "cheap shopping" with plastic hats, masks, and costiumes for hens nights. But if you looking for realy good shopping better go to Preston. Also remember that Blackpool is very seasonal. On Illumination all prices are going up. Unfortunately after the season Blackpool is like a ghost town. Most of the shops are closed down

Despite Blackpool's council campaign to gentrify Britain's most vulgar town, they wanted to get rid of its image as the heartland of edible knickers and kiss-me-quick hats. You will still find them in plentiful supply.

The council initiative is called a "quality management initiative" and it aims to turn Blackpool into a "high quality, customer-focused destination attractive to families and all groups". What utter cobblers. Be proud of what you are - be bold, be brash be a chav.

Show your support and rejection of this management speak rubbish - buy a good old-fashioned ' Kiss me quick' hat - but be prepared for people to take you advertising seriously - it's all part of the fun.

They used to sell in their thousands. Cheeky or saucy type postcards owe much to the cheeky chappy / carry on films / ooh matron days of the 1950's and 60's

If you've never seen them before, they could best be described as ''smutty" rather than anything else.

Derek Bamforth, who used to publish thousands of them until 1990 once explained the success of the cards.

He said: "We never publish anything obscene, we know where to draw the line. But the more vulgar the card, the better it sells."

At their height the mother-in-law, dumb blonde and other cards sold over 16 million a year.

Blackpool is really their natural home, so send one today. You wont find Bamfords any more, but other firms carry on the tradition.

Along the promenade every building that isn't a hotel sells Blackpool Rock - the traditional candy souvenir from Blackpool. These shops were the tackiest souvenir shops I have ever seen I think.

What to buy: Colourful Blackpool Rock, sticky fudge and in summer candy floss I bet.

What to pay: Special Rock (with names etc) is around 1 Pound a piece. Normal small ones you can get for less.

The shops range from proper department stores to little cramped shops and even just people walking the streets with holdalls.

What to buy: Blackpool is home to the tacky souvenier, from the sugar teeth right through to the famous Kiss Me Quick Hat it can be bought here. During the Summer months you will see hoardes of people walking around wearing silly hats, with funny slogans, various wigs and masks and fancy dress costumes, which can all be bought from one of the many seafront shops.

At night time the fluroescent gifts come out, from Yo-Yo`s that light up when they spin to glo sticks and anything else that lights up.

Beware your kids will want at least one of everything and will seriously damage your bank balance only to see that they stop working by the time you board the coach back home.

What to pay: You get what you pay for in Blackpool, although a lot of the souveniers are overpriced they aren`t of a very good quality.