It was a total sense of shock when I woke up and saw Great Yarmouth's Regent Road had been struck by disaster.

I used to live only a stone's throw from Regent Road and would walk along there to and from my work.

During the summer, it was always enjoyable weaving my way through the large throngs of people making their way to the town's seafront by strolling along Regent Road.

And as families headed to the sandy beach and its wide range of arcades, rides and two piers, Regent Road would get children in the mood for a fun time as they could buy buckets and spades and toys, while their parents could stock up on essentials, such as beach towels, from stalls and stores. The road sums up what Yarmouth means to me – and this is not an insult to the town – 'cheap and cheerful'.

While some may sneer that Yarmouth is 'tacky' and has seen 'better days', I say that Yarmouth should be celebrated as a classic example of the Great British resort.

The town offers families a perfect place to stay and visit without leaving a gaping hole in family finances – with a small army of restaurants and accommodation of all kinds offering value for money.

In the aftermath of the blaze, I am sure that Great Yarmouth will continue to deliver happy holiday memories for families. While Regent Road is bound to be affected this weekend, the resort's wide sandy beaches and miles of jingly arcades will remain a huge draw for those seeking a fun day out.

In fact, the message that Yarmouth is open for business must ring out even more strongly this weekend along the Golden Mile, with attractions such as Britannia and Wellington Piers, the iconic Joyland Snails and the Pleasure Beach and landau rides remaining a top draw for fun lovers. The Hippodrome has also consistently offered fun shows for all the family and I have enjoyed its winter spectaculars several times.

Up the northern end away from the gaudy Golden Mile, the resort shows its more sedate side, with the meandering waterways and boating lake, for those looking for a quieter scene.

Finally, it is heartening to see how people and businesses in the town have rallied around the stricken traders and owners affected by the fire.

From my experiences of Yarmouth, I know there are a myriad of residents who are incredibly proud of their town and they all work hard to make it one of the region's most popular tourism spots.

So, the town will bounce back and work together to put this disaster behind the resort as quickly as possible. And to support that ethos I would urge people to consider visiting my 'adopted home' throughout the summer to show their support and enjoy a resort that has family fun at its heart.