'Dying' UK seaside town with 'best beaches' and 'time-warped' shops is desperate for tourists

Ryan Fahey
·2-min read
Withernsea has stunning beaches
-Credit: (Image: HullLive/Donna Clifford)


A hidden gem along the East Yorkshire coast, Withernsea, is often bypassed for more bustling seaside spots. Despite boasting beautiful sandy shores and a quaint town centre, Withernsea surprisingly doesn't see the same influx of summer visitors as its neighbours Scarborough, Whitby, and Bridlington.

The town offers many similar seaside pleasures including stretches of sand, picturesque views, amusement arcades, ice cream shops, and the quintessential fish and chip eateries. Locals have mixed feelings about Withernsea's quieter status.

Some residents relish the tranquil, seemingly "time-warped" quality of the town, making it an ideal haven, especially for retirees. However, there are growing concerns over economic decline and the shuttering of local shops, attributed to the reduced visitor numbers and broader financial challenges facing Withernsea.

According to the English indices of deprivation, half of the households in the area fall into some of the most deprived categories nationally, reports the Mirror. Withernsea East and Patrington, hosting about half the homes in Yorkshire according to the English indices of deprivation, are grappling with poverty.

Amidst a population of 5,766 residents within a 1.2-mile radius, several initiatives have emerged aiming at town regeneration and local business support. However, 28-year-old resident Peter Ashworth, who left Bradford for Withernsea, voiced concerns over the town's decline since his arrival.

He told Yorkshire Live, "We get fancy little shops which open, but they only last a few months. It feels more like a dying seaside town. We used to holiday here, and it was always bustling, but that's rarely the case nowadays." Echoing similar sentiments are retirees Richard and Sharron Mennell, who moved from West Yorkshire to Withernsea over two decades ago. They enjoy their tranquil life by the sea; however, they feel the town has faded into oblivion.

As Sharron pointed out, many people aren't even aware Withernsea exists. She said: "It seems to jump from Hornsea right to the other side of the estuary."

Tory councillor for East Riding and café owner Paul Whitehead advocates that the town is "thriving". Pointing to affordable housing and upcoming developments as positive markers, he said: "The house prices are still relatively low compared to the UK average and yet significantly increasing. Businesses that are established are doing well, and there's a £600,000 investment being put into the Promenade."

Helena Moss, the Regeneration and Funding Group Manager at the Council, highlighted several ongoing projects set to restore the town to its former grandeur. These include the South Withernsea Coastal Defence Scheme, completed last year, plus efforts to refresh the seafront according to residents' feedback.

She also noted the benefits reaped by two dozen high street businesses through the Love Your High Street Funding scheme, which involves over £100,000 allocated to improve shop fronts.

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