'Run-down buildings in our town are disgraceful'

Efforts are under way to improve run-down areas of Morecambe in which the number of empty properties has increased in recent years.

The rising number of vacant business premises and homes in the West End area of the north Lancashire town has led to the council urging landlords to take action.

"In some places we may have to look at going down legal avenues," independent councillor Martin Bottoms said. "Some buildings are absolutely disgraceful."

One idea is to use art to improve the look of the area around Yorkshire Street, near the Promenade.

A wave of new murals has recently been unveiled in the town as another way to celebrate local heritage and brighten up the surroundings.

"Going back a few decades this was the place to come shopping," Bottoms said.

"It was an absolutely magnificent street."

Bottoms, who has a cabinet remit for Morecambe regeneration and the local economy, said it was sometimes difficult to trace building owners.

"We use the Land Registry to try and find who owns the properties, but we haven't been able to find every single person, and that is a major issue," he said.

"It's a real problem. There are laws we can use, but there are also laws that protect the people who own the businesses."

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