SIR, - I MUST say, I am impressed with the Citizen.

Here in South Africa I always have to explain to people where Blackpool is and what Blackpool is all about.

A few weeks ago I e-mailed you about my favourite gripe and when I was back in the UK a couple of weeks ago a friend gave me a copy of the Citizen with my letter in it (Citizen, February 25) - I suppose you had to edit out the rude bit!

It had been nine years since I last visited Blackpool and I noticed a lot of changes - some for the better and some for worse.

The Pleasure Beach facade to the Prom is very impressive and inviting, while the new sea defences opposite the Solarium are a welcome addition.

Other improvements include the SeaLife Centre, pedestrianising of the town centre, the Mill at Thornton and St Annes seafront.

Some of the worse points I noted included digging up the town centre two weeks before Easter.

I was appalled at the state of South Shore, particularly at the bottom of Waterloo Road where Bond Street crosses and I was particularly sad to see that the post office is empty and looks derelict.

It was sad to see the disused shops on Lytham Road and whatever happened to the Regent cinema, with rust streaking down the Olympia dome?

I was also surprised to see the decline of St John's market whereas Abingdon St market seems to thrive.

My general impression is that Blackpool South needs some tender loving care, but the town centre is alive, if not kicking.

On that note, please don't let anyone turn the Winter Gardens into a shopping centre or a department store.

That would be criminal and if the Pavilion isn't listed then it should be.

I may be biased on this because my father Jimmy Knagg was (until 1961) the drummer of the Tommy Jones orchestra who played in the Empress Ballroom.

Perhaps the owners should get the masonic ladies evenings back in the Baronial Hall - that should help put a stop to redevelopment!

I do not see the logic in building a modern conference centre on the Central Car Park.

Where will delegates park if there's a conference centre on it?

Surely the Winter Gardens could be refurbished inside and still retain its unique character.

Why not build a monorail to link the Winter Gardens to the Central Car Park?

Blackpool doesn't need more shops - the town centre is full of empty ones right now and so is South Shore.

What it does need are more attractions and more appeal.

Even so, I enjoyed my trip home.

I'm a Sandgrown'un and proud of it.

I love the smell of chips in the air and the gaudiness of Blackpool - I am just afraid that it is all turning rather seedy.

Philip Knagg,

South Africa.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.