Blackpool Council to Introduce ‘Seagull Licensing Scheme’ in Bid to Tame Local Bird Population

In a move that has left residents both amused and cautiously optimistic, Blackpool Council has announced plans to launch the UK’s first Seagull Licensing Scheme, requiring local gulls to register for a permit before swooping at tourists or stealing chips.

The initiative, part of a wider plan to restore harmony between humans and wildlife along the famous promenade, will see the town’s most aggressive birds fitted with small ID tags and issued behaviour warnings for repeat offences.

Councillor Martin Higginbottom, head of Coastal Affairs, said the scheme was “about accountability and coexistence.” Speaking to The Daily Edition, he explained, “We’re not saying seagulls can’t be cheeky, but there’s a difference between charming seaside character and daylight robbery.”

Under the proposed rules, seagulls caught snatching food without a valid permit could face temporary relocation to Preston, described by officials as “an appropriate deterrent.”

Local residents have responded positively to the news. “About time,” said chip shop owner Sandra Dobbins. “Last week one of them took a sausage roll clean out of my hand and gave me a look like I owed him rent.”

However, animal rights groups have criticised the plan, arguing that it unfairly targets gulls for what they call “cultural behaviour.” A spokesperson for the Seabird Welfare Society commented, “These birds have lived in Blackpool longer than most residents. They’re part of the heritage — just louder.”

The council insists the programme will be humane, with plans to introduce a “Gull Behaviour Awareness Week” featuring educational leaflets, free bins with lids, and designated chip-sharing zones. Visitors will also be encouraged to report unlicensed seagull activity through a new mobile app called SwoopWatch.

Early pilot tests have already shown promise, with two tagged gulls reportedly returning receipts to participating vendors. Officials hailed it as “a small but meaningful step toward civility.”

If successful, Blackpool’s system could be rolled out to other coastal towns by next summer. A government source hinted that Brighton and Scarborough are already watching closely, though both are said to be “hesitant to take on anything with wings and attitude.”