City leaders have criticised a poll naming Brighton and Hove as the worst UK holiday resort.
Despite being voted one of the world’s best beach resorts last year and one million people visiting in July, Realholidayreports.com has rated Brighton and Hove a shoddier destination than Blackpool or Skegness.
Respondents to the survey cited frustrations with parking, clubbers and the city being “too trendy”.
However, politicians and business leaders dismissed the vote as “nonsense” and “complete rubbish”.
Green councillor Geoffrey Bowden, who is also chairman of Brighton and Hove City Council’s economic development committee, described criticism of being too trendy as “one of the lamest barbs aimed in our direction”.
He added: “What a bizarre summer season survey this is – especially when Brighton and Hove’s visitor sector has been reporting that it has been doing excellent businesses this season.
“Unlike other resorts that were content to live on past glories and steadily declined, Brighton andHove successfully reinvented itself.
“If that’s the price we have to pay for being ‘too trendy’ I’ll wear that label with pride.”
Conservative councillor Garry Peltzer Dunn said: “I think Brighton and Hove has so much to offer not just because of the diversity of people but also the diversity of facilities.
“Quite frankly I would say this is the worst survey ever done. It’s complete rubbish.”
Brighton and Hove was the poll’s runaway winner with 39.2% of the vote.
Blackpool came in second with 16.4% and Skegness 15.9%.
Among the reasons given for voting for Brighton and Hove included the prevalence of clubbers in “garish outfits” making the most of the nightlife.
Other gripes included the city’s “trendiness” and “dreadful parking” along with the apparent “bohemians and bad art”.
Some of the 2,500 people polled also cited the council’s plans to introduce gender neutral toilets.
Recent reports estimate 8.5 million people visit the city each year contributing around £750 million to the local economy and supporting up to 17,000 jobs.
Julia Chanteray, Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce president, urged doubters to give the city a go.
She said: “The proof of the pudding is in the eating and I would invite people to come and experiencewhat we have to offer.
“It’s quite different to anywhere else you would go for a day trip or holiday.”
Ten things we love about Brighton and Hove
- Soaking up the atmosphere at the annual Festival and Fringe.
- Letting our hair down at Pride.
- Summer evening strolls along Palace Pier.
- Taking in Hove’s regency splendour on a Sunday afternoon.
- Eating freshly caught fish in one of the city’s top restaurants.
- Shopping for trinkets in North Laine.
- Nipping up to Devil’s Dyke on a summer’s afternoon.
- Watching the sun set behind the haunting West Pier.
- Taking a refreshing dip in the sea on Christmas Day.
- Cheering on the Albion at one of the best new grounds in the world.
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