The last time I was in Blackpool was about 8 years ago. Having read about Cookson Street, I had a walk down it.
I remember it was a dull, drizzly day, but that notwithstanding, the area just seemed to radiate an ugliness and a sourness that I found totally repelling.
Added to this I remember reading a news report some time ago where a guy had tried to buy sex off some woman in the area. She took him to some back alley spot where they were interrupted by two of the woman's male accomplices, one of whom proceeded to virtually gut the hapless punter, leaving his innards hanging out.
Miraculously, the guy survived, but I remember reading, in police interview, the perpetrator showed not a whiff of contrition or regret.
I'm reminded of a Stephen King novel, where an area can exude a kind of canker and potential menace in terms of the kind of people it attracts.
Possibly a bit OTT I suppose, but those are the impressions I have about that part of Blackpool.