'Banksy chose us as his Dismaland - but we've got big plans for Weston-super-Mare'
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Officials in the seaside town chosen by graffiti artist Banksy for his satirical art piece "Dismaland" have said its fortunes can turn around with ambitious plans that could lead to its revitalisation. Weston-super-Mare council Tourism and Information Services Manager Warren Parker-Mills hopes to revitalise its fortune by creating a brand around the town. He argued the brand could be a marketable product despite it not having a stellar reputation.
Warren said he is aware that others do not view the seaside town as he does and added: "If you go on YouTube and search 'Weston-super-Mare,' you will find some negative content." Rows of uninterrupted empty shopfronts of South Parade do not paint the town in the best light.
Speaking to BritsolLive, Warren floated the thought of using Weston-super-Mare's "huge arts scene" to highlight the potential of the empty shops. He added: "Could we get a couple of artists to come in and hand paint a green grocers on the inside of the glass, and a barbershop next door, and a butchers next door?".
The seaside town gained international attention in 2015 due in large part to Banksy's Dismaland project. The month-long exhibition at the Tropicana, a disused lido, parodied Disneyland and was described by the artist as a "family theme park unsuitable for children.".
The exhibition was met with high demand from fans, although it received mixed reviews from art critics. Despite the mixed reviews more than 150,000 people visited the exhibition and the town's tourist business raked in an estimated £20million, according to Visit Somerset.
