Out of season, out of hope? Spaces of speculation when the visitors have left

This project explores how gambling shapes struggling seaside towns. Focusing on employees and customers of casinos, betting shops and arcades in Skegness and Weston-Super-Mare during the February off-season, it will examine, through interviews and observations, how these businesses and their patrons navigate life amidst rising debt and a changing seaside landscape. It investigates gambling’s role as a source of escape and potential financial risk in these communities, especially with the decline of traditional attractions like theatre and live music. By studying these dynamics, the project aims to understand gambling’s evolving role in seaside economies and its impact on local lives.

The project lead is Professor Julie MacLeavy (School of Geographical Sciences) at the University of Bristol.