Although Blackpool is well known, much of its housing stock is olds and run down, and parts of the town have succumbed to urban decay. Economically, it has not fared so well as its celebrated name might suggest. That is not to say that there aren’t good opportunities to be found in certain parts of the town, but there are sometimes better deals to be found in neighbouring areas. Cleveleys and Thornton are good examples.

Both communities are situated close to Blackpool. In the case of Cleveleys, its centre lies just over four miles from Blackpool’s North Pier, making key attractions and amenities easily accessible by car, bus or tram. That makes Cleveleys a convenient base for tourists, of course, which gives investors the option to target the lucrative short-stay market.

However, it has a twofold appeal: it is also in great demand among local workers and retired folk. Partly, that’s a result of attractive property prices, but the town also has more of an air of calm and prosperity than its larger, somewhat brash neighbour. These characteristics are important to families and individuals looking to set down roots and, consequently, local rental demand tends to be both strong and reliable.