What I discovered about Central Drive and its community during the research phase of this project is its contrasts that have co-existed throughout the ages. The Drive is presently an English high street of shops and businesses facing the challenges of retail when half the shops are empty.  It is however surrounded by a busy neighbourhood of terraced houses, guest houses and hostels and is a stones-throw from the promenade with its arcades of carnival-esque wonderment and sandy beach. Throughout the ages it has had a notorious reputation for a cheap pint, pawn shops and a red light district. Its floating population of seasonal workers and opportunity seekers has existed alongside an established working class community throughout the growth of Blackpool’s tourist industry since the early 1900’s.
I wanted my shop window display to recall the history of buildings and life of the neighbourhood since the early 1900’s as a way for people to reflect on their own relationship with the place.