Having just read a review of Blackpool by Deborah Taylor & Fiona Cole in the latest Transliving magazine, I feel I must correct one or two things. Well everything really as it is all wrong!
It would appear that you were hosted by Basil’s empire as his are the only venues you mention, and whilst it may be true his venues are in decline it is not for the reasons you quote. Hen & Stags do not visit simply to gawk & laugh at Trans people, of course there will always be an idiot element but they soon learn that we are perfectly normal individuals. Funny Girls is Basil’s major attraction, but is not and never has been a Trans venue, indeed in the early day’s when the club was on Queen Street (not the sea front) T-girls were not welcome, presumably because we might detract from his stars. Basil’s decline is entirely due to factors in his own control, namely his toilet facilities leave a heck of a lot to be desired, disgustingly filthy was how I described my final visit to his club Flamingos. Combine the dirt and dereliction of the decor/furnishings with rip off prices, both as entrance charges when all you want to do is pop in for a drink, and sky high bar prices for inferior products and I think you can see why lots of us girls choose to go elsewhere.
There is still a thriving T-scene here if you want to call it that, we are accepted just about any venue in town, many girls only visit “normal” bars rather than Gay or T-friendly venues, even the notorious joint of Ma Kellys is now firmly on the T-girl map, had many a good night in there although the first few minutes you will get gawped at, understandable as usually its the Muggles first experience of seeing a trans girl. Might I suggest you arrange a revisit? We can start with Peek-a-Booze, sounds rough but really its a very nice cabaret bar, very friendly, no door charges, cheap drinks and live entertainment. Last Saturday night there was over 50 girls in there, I know as our hotel round the corner was full as were our neighbours, all the girls met up in our hotel bar at Scarlets 87 Lord St. We all went round en-masse to dance the night away. Leaving Peeks and less than a minute gets you to Mels bar, small and very friendly, again excelllant bar prices. Another 30 seconds walk puts you at Taboo (not the old Taboo on Talbot Road), nice bar and upstairs is Kittys bar, drag comedian and very popular, a little blue but very funny. Continue on towards Funny girls, you have Kaos, handbag, Mardi Gras, Lucy’s 2 at Tobago, and of course Ma Kelly. There are many more places like Roxy’s or the Galleon bar and many others, depends what you are looking for really. A word of caution, like any town in the UK there are areas to avoid, sad but true, we always brief our guests as to where to go and where not, girls still choose to go to places we suggest not but that’s ok if you have the confidence.
We sort of specialise in taking girls out that have not been out before, not what we intended but we are getting a lot of newbies, Blackpool is ideal for this, so accepting and such a fun place to be with so many friendly establishments right on our doorstep. Give us a try and you won’t be disappointed.
Sarah & Jenny
www.trannylodge.co.uk

I for one would love a revisit. I'd love to be shown wrong. I want thriving scenes in every town where we can feel safe.

We could only report on what we saw and were told, and put forward ideas of what we thought was wrong, why it appeared to be dying. Whilst some of trannies don't mind going in a straight bar, many won't, which means scene places are what they look for.

It was difficult to find any information while in Blackpool as to t-nights, t-venues, anything basically. There was one event on here, more please! (and Facebook, and the venues themselves!) We spoke to barstaff who said that trade was dropping off alarmingly. If the article gets people back in Blackpool then fantastic. I think we said at the end of the article that we wanted people to go to Blackpool, it is a great place, and one that needs more use.

The article was the perception of a pair of trannies trying to find information while IN the area. It's time to change that perception, and your response is a great start.

Debbie

Hi Debbie, You are right it is hard to find info inside Blackpool, other than asking at the bars. Unfortunately it appears you asked at the bars/clubs that are experiencing difficulties!
The owner of Peeks seems to have the established venues worried, his no rip-off policies and expansion does seem to be having an effect. Peeks have just started up a Tranny night on Tuesdays, great place to start if you have never been out into the real world before.
I take onboard what you say about events, its not seemed that important to create a special event when anytime can be an event in Blackpool. But I will try to make more of an effort and add some more.
Meanwhile do pop back sometime and try out some of the other venues, they are much better.
www.trannylodge.co.uk has lots of info on it, must make more updates......my fault again!
Sarah

Hi Debbie, I haven't read the article. You should come back when there are a few girls going out, you will have a ball. Blackpool is getting better for nights out for us girls as sarah said. Peeks is great, ma kelly's is a place like no other in town, taboo and the galleon bar have a great atmos. I'm not too keen on flamingo's or the handbag. Kaos is mental at weekends, roxy's is full of hen parties in the summer and you can have a giggle with em. As trouble goes i've had more dressed as a guy that when been out as niki, if i could afford it i'd be out every weekend but i'd have to buy a new outfit every week LOL, niki xxx

Hi,
I have been out in Blackpool only 3 times in 5 years but never had a problem.That is in daylight as well.I like it actually its fun.

The article we wrote was an independent view and we certainly weren`t `hosted` by anybody,Debbie and I are not typical trannies and are very comfortable in mainstream venues,but we thought the lack of information in the area would inhibit girls used to a more organised scene.

if our comments have kick started things in the area that can only be a good thing as we did like Blackpool and will be returning.

Fiona

We are the nutters.....we come from the sea!

Whats it like in blackpool now? In am thinking of going while the lights are on this year.

I recently stayed at scarlets/ trannylodge.It was my 1st adventure out of the closet and "we " went to "peeks" and had a great night out...

Glad you had a good time liz there will be no stoping you now your out.i remember my first time out i was soo nervous now i dont care its just me being me.