A Morecambe councillor has described how he was inspired to get involved in local politics after his community work during the Covid pandemic.

Martin Bottoms says becoming a Lancaster city councillor has brought him satisfaction and hope.

It’s a new chapter in life after the death of his wife at a young age, which left him raising six children – Haydn, Georgina, Vienna, Autumn, Alex and Chelsea – alone.

Now, as a Lancaster City Council cabinet member, Martin focuses on Morecambe’s local economy and schemes including the Eden Project.

placeholder image — Coun Martin Bottoms.

But the role goes wider, including cultural venues and rural issues across the whole Lancaster district.

Martin has just completed his first 12 months on the cabinet. A Morecambe Bay Independent, he joined the cabinet last winter, working with Greens and Lib Dems.

Originally from County Durham, Martin met his late wife Kerry in Barrow in Furness.

He previously worked for BT across the region and the couple moved to Morecambe in 1997.

Martin recalled: “Kerry died in 2009. She was only 37. She had a colloid cyst in her brain. We have six children and I brought them up after her death. That was the hardest I’ve ever worked in my life. But it was also rewarding.

"Our children are now grown up and the youngest has just started college. I have grandchildren too.”

After Kerry’s death, Martin left BT, looked after his family and later got a taxi driver’s licence for some work flexibility. He also worked in Bare village store.

He said: “During the pandemic in the shop, it was difficult to get hold of produce. I scoured the north west for supplies. I also delivered shopping to people shielding at home. I enjoyed that community link and thought I’d like to expand on that.

Martin Bottoms in his role as deputy mayor.

“I was approached by the Morecambe Bay Independents, who asked if I’d consider standing for election.

"I stood for Morecambe Town Council and Lancaster City Council, and was elected to both in 2023. In that first year, I was also the deputy mayor of Lancaster. I really enjoyed that and was proud to do it.

“When you first become a councillor, you don’t know what to expect or how to resolve things. But you learn. When my term ends in 2027, I expect I’ll know a lot.”

Asked if he will stand for election again, he said: “I’m not sure because councils are to be reorganised in 2028. Lancashire will get big new unitary authorities and it might become difficult to get elected if you’re in a smaller political group. Reorganisation could benefit mainstream parties.”

Martin said he enjoys his Lancaster cabinet role: “Morecambe is the main focus but it includes the rural economy and other aspects. I’ve also got arts and culture, theatres and commercial property. This includes The Platform in Morecambe and The Storey and Ashton Hall in Lancaster. There’s also Morecambe Winter Gardens and the old Frontierland theme park site.

“This coming year, 2026, should be exciting. With Eden, people should start seeing spades in the ground. I have a lot of confidence in Eden. People tend to focus on the buildings but it is much more than that. There will be wider benefits for businesses, farmers, food producers, education, skills and regeneration.

“I recently met Lancaster University students about Eden. Elsewhere, I was at The Barn restaurant in Scorton meeting farmers. They were really excited about what Eden can deliver for them. Eden wants to use local suppliers for food and other things. For every 100,000 Eden visitors, it’s estimated 100 jobs will be generated outside.”

Martin’s many varied activities can include visiting Stanleys Community Centre in Morecambe, attending Carnforth Parish Council or an art exhibition at The Storey.

“I like to get out,” he added.

He also has a keen interest in Frontierland – “We should have some important decisions this coming year and appoint a preferred development partner” – and the Winter Gardens.

Martin Bottoms with family at a recent beach memorial event.

“I have regular conversations with the trust’s Vanessa Toulmin,” he said. “The improvements there are already huge. I think more funding is needed but the trust expects to run a full programme of events this coming year.”

Recently, Martin visited Bradford, the 2025 City of Culture. He visted the new Bradford Live music venue, a former Odeon cinema empty for years, and said it was very impressive.

He added: “It was a cultural conference and I’ve been thinking about various ideas for Morecambe and Lancaster. The government recently launched the Town of Culture competition for smaller places.

"Could Morecambe, Heysham and maybe Lancaster put forward a bid for that in 2028-29? I’ve also been thinking about Glasson Dock.”

Morecambe was recently allocated £20m, phased over 10 years, by the government’s Pride in Place scheme.

Martin said: “This is for the West End. A board will be formed and the community will lead it. It’ll be really good. Morecambe MP Lizzi Colinge has been asked to get involved with community engagement. We’ve also got the Bring Me Sunshine garden coming in 2026 from the Chelsea Flower Show.”

He said the district had 7.1m visitors in 2024, representing a tenth of visits to the whole of Lancashire and worth £648m to the local economy. He has visited seaside towns in the north east to look at regeneration ideas there.

Overall, Martin wants Morecambe to become “a vibrant area, ready for the future and a place everyone is proud of”.