Eye On Manchester blog by Aidan O’Rourke Tutor Photographer

Personal & professional diary on photography, languages, Français, Deutsch, local interest, art, music, travel and more

Blackpool silhouetted Central Pier beach and donkeys (bw)

Having thought carefully about the decision to recommend the super-casino for Manchester, I believe it was the wrong decision.

It was said that Manchester most closely fulfilled the criteria set out by the government. But I believe the criteria were wrong.

There was no requirement that the super-casino should provide a regeneration lifeline to a a run-down but much-loved seaside town, namely Blackpool.

Manchester already has many regneration initiatives, I disagree with the statement that east Manchester is one of the UK’s most deprived areas.

A super-casino would have fitted in well with Blackpool’s existing character and profile. I share misgivings about gambling addiction expressed by the Bishop of Manchester, who was interviewed by Eddie Mair on BBC Radio 4’s PM yesterday.

As a Mancunian, I extend my commiserations to Blackpool, which now faces an uncertain future, but I think it will bounce back.

See all Blackpool photos in the aidan.co.uk photo portfolio.

See the “>BBC News Website for details of the decision.

Royalty Cinema Gosforth near Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

In the past 25 years, many classic cinema buildings in the Manchester area have been abandoned, and many demolished. The trend has been repeated all over the UK.

‘Last Reel at the Royalty’, a documentary film by Geoff Stafford, captures the last night of the Royalty Cinema in Gosforth, near Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.

This edition was produced to mark the 25th anniversary of the closure of the cinema, which took place on 30 December 1981.

Filmmaker and photographer Geoff Stafford is based in Manchester and the North East. He takes a keen interest in architectural heritage, particularly cinemas.

Go to www.royaltycinema.com

Manchester Piccadilly Stn tracks end of platform view

Local Labour MP, former Tameside councillor Andrew Gwynne has been fighting to save and enhance the railway line through Reddish and Denton

He has voiced his proposals in a Commons which he personally secured. He proposes a train service from Stockport to Manchester Victoria via Reddish and Denton, which could ease pressure on Piccadilly Station.

See the UK Parliament website for a transcript of the debate.

Eye On Manchester fully supports this proposal and we need lots more like it.