This autumn, one of Britain’s most recognised and successful business entrepreneurs, Duncan Bannatyne, will swap spreadsheets for spades as he takes his expertise to the coast in the hope of restoring our fading seaside tourist attractions, in new series Save Our Seaside (working title), for Virgin1.

Since the 60s, many British seaside destinations and dilapidated tourist sites have taken a bashing so Save Our Seaside aims to kick start a campaign to revive the places which have suffered the most from cheap flights abroad to sunnier climes and make us proud to holiday at home. Save Our Seaside will look beyond the cosmetic makeovers, capturing the long term renewal of local pride, saving British heritage and putting our resorts back on the map.

From the Welsh beaches to the Kentish cliffs, Save Our Seaside will look at some of the most neglected but treasured seaside tourist attractions in Britain.

Due to the economic downturn, some of our tourist destinations have experienced a rise in business over the summer, but for many, the tide will have washed them out into a sea of obscurity. British family holidays no longer just mean sand pails, plastic shovels and a clapped out 80s caravan. Domestic bookings are up by a massive 40% on last year, proving that vacations are out and trendy stay-cations are in, providing even more reason to rejuvenate our seaside resorts and get the Great British Public back on board holidaying in their homeland.

As one of the UK’s wealthiest tycoons with an expansive knowledge and experience in the leisure industry, Duncan Bannatyne is well-placed to rejuvenate and regenerate our shores’ attractions. He is on a mission to revitalise their waning reputations, whilst investing his business expertise and helping to renew the sea-front’s fading grandeur in an ambitious assignment sure to put his commercial prowess to the test.

Save Our Seaside will see an undercover family visiting a desolate and dilapidated attraction each week, where they will file a secret video report upon which Duncan will base his plan of action.  He will then set to work on everything from unbalanced books to rickety rides in the hope of putting our faltering seaside attractions back on track.  Duncan will unveil our mended shore attractions in a star studded grand finale complete with local community support.  Will the local residents give our attractions a second chance? Will Duncan succeed in his very tall order and say ‘I’m in!’ instead of ‘I’m out’?

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