A PROMENADE eyesore's days could be numbered as Blackpool Council decides whether to demolish it.

The large shelter on the lower promenade at North Shore has been a blight on the seafront for years, covered in graffiti, paint peeling and doors and glass smashed.

Known as the Bandstand, the only attention it has received for some time has been by the vandals.

When the Citizen began making inquiries, council officers were sent to check it over and now demolition is not being ruled out.

Tourism and leisure chairman Councillor Roy Lewis said: "Clearly it's in a horrible state and has been damaged in a variety of ways.

"It's not just a matter of a paint-job, it's the overall safety of the structure that's in question.

"A decision will be made soon on its future."

This stretch forms part of the proposed £4m Blackpool Coastal Park Project, a revitalisation plan for the whole seafront between Gynn Square and Norbreck, for which Blackpool Council is applying for 75 per cent funding from the Lottery Fund.

"If the building does have a future it's as an integral part of that, but at the moment it's unlikely," said Coun Lewis.

"If it is to continue it has to be made safe and I feel sure it would be repainted and refurbished in time for the summer season."

Chief engineer John Shaw said even if they used anti-graffiti paint it would soon be damaged again: "We're considering a number of options including the removal of the shelter because it doesn't serve any useful purpose.

"It would cost quite a substantial amount of money to renovate it.

"Another option would be if someone wanted to lease it for operating on a commercial basis - someone expressed interest last year for retail sales, but it fell through."

A report is being prepared for the environmental health committee to decide its future before the summer.

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