THE ASTABGAY STORY . . .

AstaBGay, originally created in 1996 as a Gay Icons website, took on the role of advertising the Blackpool Gay Scene, especially the gay hoteliers' group BAGs, when on relocating to Blackpool early in 2001 its owner was convinced by friends in the hotel trade there was a desperate need for it. These were times when the rarely updated ITP website was offline more than it was on, the Mardi Gras sported an old website hosted by a casino company that was stuck on some Danny La Rue charity show from a former time, and the never updated BAGs site could only be found listed by a couple of search engines, and then at best on page seven. For Gay Blackpool on the Internet that was about all there was - that was it!

Hitting the number one spot for the Blackpool Gay Scene on nearly every search engine within just a few weeks, AstaBGay remained by far the most popular gay information website for Blackpool until its close nearly eight years later in 2008.

In 2003, after AstaBGay secured a press pass and covered EuroPride in Manchester, rushed special arrangements had to made with the website's American hosting company (a blank cheque written!) for unlimited bandwidth (something almost unheard of at that time) as for a short period the page hits rose to more than a massive one million a day with people the world over downloading bandwidth-gobbling full-size pictures of the event.

Following those hectic days the page hits evened out to around a much more easier to manage one million or so a week across the whole site, which covered a lot more than just Blackpool, and even after many other websites sprung up over the years, either from the local gay venues themselves or from other people trying to cover the Blackpool gay scene, they changed very little.

No other Blackpool gay website ever came to within several million traffic-ranked positions of AstaBGay - something of which the owner is immensely proud, as all those positions accounted for one hell of a lot of hits and put Gay Blackpool on many a gay person's map! More than 20Gb of info was downloaded every single month - and for the non-profit-making website this was only made possible through being heavily subsidised by the webmaster's writing commitments, and the sales of his books. Sincere thanks to each and every one of you who has bought at least one of them!

2008 sees Gay Blackpool adequately covered on the Internet. Most of the gay venues now have their own regularly updated quality websites, the BAGs gay hoteliers' website is high up on page one of every important search engine (and even number one on a couple of them!), and there are two Internet Gay Radio stations, not forgetting of course that today Blackpool has its very own successful annual Gay Pride along with an informative website.  And so it is now time for the webmaster of AstaBGay, well into his retirement years, to finally call it a day and pull the plug on this website as he returns to do what he originally intended to do on coming to Blackpool: enjoy his retirement years whilst hopefully putting out a few more successful books before one day being wheeled into a corner in some desolate home to dribble his dinner onto his lap. One day the chicken, trussed-up and smiling at life, taking it all in, and the next the carcass in the trash. What's it all about, eh?

During its time in Blackpool, as well as freely advertising all the gay scene and many local gay and gay-friendly businesses, AstaBGay has worked closely with the BAGs organisation as an associate member assisting in the promotion of its website. It also found time to make promotional DVDs and maintain the website for Blackpool's second Gay Pride.

Thank you to every one of you who has over the years used this website, many of you returning time after time - especially those regular 100,000 plus weekly readers of the Bitch column. Because of you AstaBGay has become a legend, the yardstick by which similar websites will be measured for years to come. Thanks a million - it may have been hard work, but it sure as hell has been a lot of fun too!

Y'all look out for Michael's new books, now!

C&P Release - 31st October 2008.

Wow! Thanks for your emails, folks. I am afraid it will be utterly impossible for me to reply to them all - by the time I've read one it seems another has arrived - but I do promise to read every single one.    To answer a few points raised in some of them here: yes, really I am that old, and retired - it wasn't a joke (but I wish it was!); yes, the Bitch articles may return one day, but certainly not in the foreseeable future - I need a break; yes, John did / does exist, the poem is for real, and I do still love him like crazy; yes, I have refused to sell the domain name (how did you know that?) and more than once. It is, and always will be, a big part of me - and I have never been for sale; and finally, no I do not have any plans to leave Blackpool at this time, though it may be an option for the future.   Until we meet again . . . Peace, Love, and All Best Wishes,   Michael (1/11/08). Visit me at: www.michaelknell.com

 

 

 

Staying in Blackpool? Check out Michael's friends:

 

Chaucer Guest House Brian 59 High Street, Blackpool. FY1 2BN Tel. 01253 299099   "We are small, friendly, comfortable and discreet. Our aim is to provide a safe and secure environment for you to return to after sampling the vibrant atmosphere of Blackpool and its nightlife. A place where you can unwind, relax, or just enjoy a good night's sleep."

 

Highbank Guest House Peter 46 Banks Street, Blackpool. FY1 2BE Tel. 01253 294797    "Situated in a prominent position and conveniently located close to Blackpool North Railway Station, the town centre and all the major attractions. Ample private off road parking for guests. No en-suites, but good, clean economical accommodation in a friendly atmosphere."