Blackpool improvements - Tons happening

Only a few bits and bobs...


www.lancs.live

USA frozen sweet craze lands in Blackpool

"When I started researching I found out that freeze-dried sweets and food only expires up to 25 years, if stored correctly! It's mind blowing!"
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Ma Kelly's buys £775k landmark Reflex nightclub on Blackpool Prom

"We will be bringing something very special to the Central Pier area"
www.lancs.live

I'll throw in some more tram testing and a foxhall village housing build update...


 

Businesses Urged to Contribute to Blackpool Illuminations

A Blackpool businessman has made a £2,000 donation to the Illuminations in recognition of the positive economic impact that the annual event brings
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www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

Green Party calls for football regulator to set up in resort to bring ‘£130m boost’

The Green Party say it could see as many as 200 new posts created on the coast.
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

An interesting call from the greens, although only an idea.
 

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Absolutely fantastic effort from all. 👏


www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

Huge investment to see overhaul of gym at leisure centre

The money will be spent on upgrading The Feel Good Factory at Palatine Leisure Centre on St Annes Road in South Shore.
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

Not strictly an improvement, although you never know may see more jobs...but saw this, good news for this Blackpool business who BFC have or do work with.

www.thebusinessdesk.com

Multimillion-pound investment to fuel growth of sports marketing business | TheBusinessDesk.com

Deal will increase Eleven’s foothold in the US market
www.thebusinessdesk.com

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One for the doomsday people maybe, but also could look good, but won't happen...and we wouldn't be here it see it...

www.lancs.live

AI futuristic images show Blackpool could have '3D coral reefs' by 2074

A study by Ocean Science & Technology has now revealed AI-generated imagery of Blackpool with big changes potentially afoot
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Dominant town centre shop to be plastered with advertising banners

If approved, it would see the former Blackpool BHS building, now mainly occupied by B&M Bargains, display the banners
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Plans are unveiled for new seaside homes

The flats would replace a huge warehouse
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On a broader note I was reading through what's changed since around 2007 ish and it really is night and day.

I think people take for granted just what has improved so far alone. Blackpool was on the brink of serious decline potentially with some regulars even questioning if they'd return. It still would have found a market, but was not looking well and had far more stag and hen do focus than now, where families mainly are the goal and the target.

I think it started with the front being done, a huge visual improvement to a tired looking area that now looks fantastic, the town centre was crap and is now good IMO, many buildings and projects so far, airport enterprise zone, more greenery etc etc, so the Blackpool of today is miles better than nearly 20 years ago.

Still much to do and ongoing or in the pipeline but once these projects come to life it'll be a similar result of a transformational change.

That doesn't mean there won't still be issues like everywhere or some boarded up failed businesses, as Blackpool is too big a resort not have some, but hopefully many of the known worst areas are significantly improved and overall it'll be far better again.
 
JJpool said:
On a broader note I was reading through what's changed since around 2007 ish and it really is night and day.

I think people take for granted just what has improved so far alone. Blackpool was on the brink of serious decline potentially with some regulars even questioning if they'd return. It still would have found a market, but was not looking well and had far more stag and hen do focus than now, where families mainly are the goal and the target.

I think it started with the front being done, a huge visual improvement to a tired looking area that now looks fantastic, the town centre was crap and is now good IMO, many buildings and projects so far, airport enterprise zone, more greenery etc etc, so the Blackpool of today is miles better than nearly 20 years ago.

Still much to do and ongoing or in the pipeline but once these projects come to life it'll be a similar result of a transformational change.

That doesn't mean there won't still be issues like everywhere or some boarded up failed businesses, as Blackpool is too big a resort not have some, but hopefully many of the known worst areas are significantly improved and overall it'll be far better again.
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Totally agree as I remember what it was like in the early 2000s and that was when we probably hit rock bottom. It is amazing what has been done in a relatively short space of time with more to come. BUT the biggest remaining problem which must be sorted is the crime rate. Visitors will not come if they don’t feel safe.
 
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Blackpool Business News

I had the absolute privilege of visiting the Holiday Inn / Marco Pierre White restaurant in Blackpool on Tuesday which officially opened it’s doors to the public yesterday and let me tell you, it was...
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Blackpool News

A date for closure has been announced ahead of the demolition of one of Blackpool’s most recognised buildings. The car park underneath Blackpools former magistrates court is penned for closure on the...
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www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

New aqua park with inflatable obstacle course coming to Blackpool

The ‘sprawling floating playground’ will feature tyre runs, ninja jumps and slides.
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

It's not in Blackpool, but they call it wild shore Blackpool, they claim it's in Blackpool, so for me, that's good enough, it's now Blackpool.
 
Southend tangerine said:
Totally agree as I remember what it was like in the early 2000s and that was when we probably hit rock bottom. It is amazing what has been done in a relatively short space of time with more to come. BUT the biggest remaining problem which must be sorted is the crime rate. Visitors will not come if they don’t feel safe.
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The vast majority do feel safe and are safe, although yes further investment in the inner areas will happen and try and improve conditions there, keep knocking down failed guesthouses or refurbishing into better homes for families and improve areas like that. Some of the crime rate is just from bigger numbers, the towns population can treble in the summer months.

But yes more needs to be done and is being done, but it's also a wider UK issue to crack down on.
 
It is good they are improving the infrastructure, as there has been a lack of investment in the town over the last 60 years. There is still a long way to go. It does however, need to go in tandem with investment in decent (and mixed) housing and in decent quality jobs, education, health, crime prevention and reversal of decades of dumping 'problem' people on the town.
 
I'm pretty sure if the car park is going so are the courts 🙄 I presume police station at the same time?

I am generally very upbeat regarding these improvements projects but I've always been really sceptical about this Central car park scheme. Doesnt seem to me that we have seen any money from the private developers yet.
 
JJpool said:
The vast majority do feel safe and are safe, although yes further investment in the inner areas will happen and try and improve conditions there, keep knocking down failed guesthouses or refurbishing into better homes for families and improve areas like that. Some of the crime rate is just from bigger numbers, the towns population can treble in the summer months.

But yes more needs to be done and is being done, but it's also a wider UK issue to crack down on.
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I know and agree with all you say. It’s all about perception though. Only this week the main story in the Gazette was about someone being slashed in Dickson Road just behind some of the town’s most prestigious hotels.
I am Blackpool’s greatest advocate but still think more needs to be done on crime prevention and policing.
I agree improving the accommodation will help too.
 
Southend tangerine said:
I know and agree with all you say. It’s all about perception though. Only this week the main story in the Gazette was about someone being slashed in Dickson Road just behind some of the town’s most prestigious hotels.
I am Blackpool’s greatest advocate but still think more needs to be done on crime prevention and policing.
I agree improving the accommodation will help too.
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Yeah need the government to get tough on crime and locally that inner investment to make an impact.
 
Foolweary said:
I'm pretty sure if the car park is going so are the courts 🙄 I presume police station at the same time?

I am generally very upbeat regarding these improvements projects but I've always been really sceptical about this Central car park scheme. Doesnt seem to me that we have seen any money from the private developers yet.
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It's been a while so I can't remember exactly what was said, but there was some sort of online discussion about it a while back, a Q&A and it had some information about the project that was interesting.

I think it what this article refers to but I don't think the stream is available anymore, which is a shame as it may have contained useful insight and info.

www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

Public urged to have their say as initial plans for £300m Blackpool Central entertainment complex are revealed

The public is being invited to have their say on the first part of plans for a £300m entertainment complex in the heart of Blackpool.
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

It mentions the complex’s backers, Nikal Ltd and Media Invest Entertainment and the plans were discussed on that stream, but obviously that was a few years back.

If they are knocking then down hopefully that indicates something happening, then again they aren't used really and needs levelling anyway.

The enabling phase was the car park with the heritage quarter to follow.

There's no reason to wait now, the car park is done, they should be doing the building next to it into the food hall and knocking down the courts and car park ready for the next phase.

The new site for the courts is approved and the old ones not in use anyway.

The Blackpool central fb page was put up a while back and has been steadily pumping out Blackpool related posts, but nothing on the project in a while.

www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

First look at work finally underway at the £300m Blackpool Central site

It might just look like a huge hole - but the site being dug out in Central Car Park represents a historic milestone for Blackpool.
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

"Once the car park is open, the next phase will be the conversion of buildings on Central Drive into a Heritage Quarter and construction of a public square.

Darren Jones, development director at Nikal which is behind the project, said the focus is now on unlocking the rest of the site.

He said: "We are working with our technical design teams on future phases including the Heritage Quarter.

"This includes getting everything priced, and having the funding in place."

He said funding would be sought for each part of the scheme, but Nikal was "very confident" of investors coming forward given the strong level of interest there had been in funding the car park

Mr Jones added: "When you are getting 16 to 18 million visitors a year as Blackpool does, it's a place of interest.

We are working with both the council and MPs to deliver as soon as we can, we have got advisers regarding our letting strategy and in terms of what will go into the development.

"We are cracking on and doing something very different. People have been waiting a long time, over 50 years, for something to happen on this site."

Obviously this article was a couple of years back, but it now get over 20 million visitors so should be even more attractive a proposition, although as we know costs on such projects do cost more now.
 
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The phrase "very confident" reinforces my fears. We haven't seen anybody from the private sector provide funds yet. That article is almost 2 years old.

The new car park is a great improvement, demolishing the courts, old car park and police station is way overdue so a positive step in itself. Finding a purpose for the Edwards buildings seems a cheap option though, if there's major money involved why is it not started already?

I'm just not convinced the people behind this have got the ability to deliver.
 
Foolweary said:
The phrase "very confident" reinforces my fears. We haven't seen anybody from the private sector provide funds yet. That article is almost 2 years old.

The new car park is a great improvement, demolishing the courts, old car park and police station is way overdue so a positive step in itself. Finding a purpose for the Edwards buildings seems a cheap option though, if there's major money involved why is it not started already?

I'm just not convinced the people behind this have got the ability to deliver.
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Well all we can do is see, would be a pisstake if it didn't happen after all this.

You might have hoped there would be investors with commitments or intent already in place ready to go, rather than come forward, but whoknows.

The car park has only just been done, so what happens next will tell us a bit but it would be nice to get an actual update too.

The site should be very attractive, it's location, number of visitors and potential draw for more all year round would make it have a very good chance for success with the attractions mentioned IMO.

Yes we haven't seen officially seen any private investment yet but we don't know what's going on against the plans and it did say in stages.

One to keep an eye on as surely some news soon.
 
We have a place on Talbot rd, Promenade end, honestly it’s depressing.

Last season for us, we can’t take anymore of the people and surroundings.

Sorry to be negative but the quality of residents that live in our area is so bad I’ve lost any hope for the town.

As the chant goes, time to go.
 
no9 said:
We have a place on Talbot rd, Promenade end, honestly it’s depressing.

Last season for us, we can’t take anymore of the people and surroundings.

Sorry to be negative but the quality of residents that live in our area is so bad I’ve lost any hope for the town.

As the chant goes, time to go.
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Can't blame you. It's like something after nuclear fallout in the town centre.

Mind you there will be millions and millions of decent people not here just to go on the piss using that new tram line the 200m from the awful looking North station to the prom. Maybe you should hang in there.

With the billions they make from it they might be able to bulldoze Dickson Road and Central drive to create parkland?
 
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no9 said:
We have a place on Talbot rd, Promenade end, honestly it’s depressing.

Last season for us, we can’t take anymore of the people and surroundings.

Sorry to be negative but the quality of residents that live in our area is so bad I’ve lost any hope for the town.

As the chant goes, time to go.
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Presumably not past the station then as that would be above a shop...

Unfortunately improving the people will take time.

The first things to happen are street regeneration, knocking down the old and building new and attracting families to proper homes, improving conditions etc.

That then takes time to affect an area as prices increase etc it's then less desirable or affordable to the dossers.

We're right at the start of the process really in trying to improve things and get rid of some undesirables.

You've also got to make work pay and crack down on layabouts and people gaming the system. Continue to treat people with issues and try and turn them round and improve conditions so the next generation don't fall down that path. Better education, jobs in the area etc which is happening.

Again, that'll take time and the first step is really the regeneration of the inner areas and slowly knocking down poor quality housing and building new, greening up areas etc.
 
no9 said:
We have a place on Talbot rd, Promenade end, honestly it’s depressing.

Last season for us, we can’t take anymore of the people and surroundings.

Sorry to be negative but the quality of residents that live in our area is so bad I’ve lost any hope for the town.

As the chant goes, time to go.
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That’s the problem, they can spend millions on structural improvements, but if the low life’s are still there, it makes no difference, who wants to stay in a 5 star hotel and walk out to be confronted by drunk/drugged scumbags.
 
Matesrates said:
That’s the problem, they can spend millions on structural improvements, but if the low life’s are still there, it makes no difference, who wants to stay in a 5 star hotel and walk out to be confronted by drunk/drugged scumbags.
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Which is why removing low quality housing is the number 1 priority.

Hopefully we see another swathe of housing removed and replaced by student accommodation surrounding the new university.

Dickson Road and central drive are obviously next, and in both instances you can see the major projects being used to seed this regeneration.

Much like Macseasider I'd love to see a horseshoe shaped inner park stretching from central drive around Talbot gateway and ending at dickson Road.

It would solve the Towns problems at a stroke. Unfortunately its very expensive and would only reduce the councils income.
 
Foolweary said:
Which is why removing low quality housing is the number 1 priority.

Hopefully we see another swathe of housing removed and replaced by student accommodation surrounding the new university.

Dickson Road and central drive are obviously next, and in both instances you can see the major projects being used to seed this regeneration.

Much like Macseasider I'd love to see a horseshoe shaped inner park stretching from central drive around Talbot gateway and ending at dickson Road.

It would solve the Towns problems at a stroke. Unfortunately its very expensive and would only reduce the councils income.
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Yeah that won't happen, however under the revoe masterplan there is an area of greenery off central drive next to that pub that was knocked down. Although the plan is quite old now and some of it isn't going to happen, like houses on the old odeon site, given the new businesses there, can't see that becoming houses now.


Also,

What we know so far.

90 million to inner areas, this could be in part to kick-start central drive or even bond street areas in some way maybe.

Newsroom

www.blackpool.gov.uk www.blackpool.gov.uk

We know from the recent town prospectus they want to expand the foxhall village, that either means more knocking down of buildings to the north of the current site or maybe that bit to the north of the sports village site left out the plans, although it's not very big.

Also mentions 3000 homes in the inner area, unclear if that's all new or some refurbished.

index.php

I know things don't always move at the pace people want but definitely the quicker the better foe some of this stuff.

Just to add, as for things like knocking down old for new in the inner areas, the council will love it, as many in inner areas will be on benefits and pay less or very little council tax, when new houses go up they benefit far more from I'd imagine.
 
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www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

New bungee jumping attraction could be heading to Blackpool

The council is seeking to work with a new leisure operatore
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

www.placenorthwest.co.uk

UKREiiF: Why Blackpool deserves the spotlight - Place North West

A £2bn growth and prosperity programme, robust government support, and innovative approaches to industry are just three reasons you should be paying attention to Blackpool, writes Nick Gerrard of Blackpool Council.
www.placenorthwest.co.uk www.placenorthwest.co.uk

And here we go about the housing... 👍

Newsroom

www.blackpool.gov.uk www.blackpool.gov.uk

"The executive report to be considered on 20 May outlines an area of regeneration to the South of the town centre broadly between Chapel Street and Rigby Road, and the Promenade and Central Drive corridor. These have been identified as the initial areas of focus for detailed scheme development, community engagement and property acquisitions in preparation for future development."

Interesting.
 
1966_and_all_that said:
My profuse apologies...a Reformer, perhaps?
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I've voted many things before and also broadly supported the Labour council and it's plans.

Let's not sidetrack the thread.

Thoughts about this inner housing regeneration?

This is what the town has needed.

As discussed before Blackpool is at the beginning of a 15-20 year plan that will transform large parts of those inner areas.

All the notorious ones.

Let's discuss what they plan to do...

"It adds the area has been chosen for redevelopment because of its deprivation, poor quality housing and lack of public open space.

The report says: "Blackpool’s most acute deprivation statistics are intrinsically linked to private housing failure in this inner urban area. Partners acknowledge that it is now time to bring forward regeneration and investment at scale to reverse the cycle of worsening outcomes."

Work to improve the housing stock could include a mixture of selective clearance, refurbishment, enforcement action and investment in energy efficiency improvements.

Documents say 1,860 households will be affected, with the council set to start public consultation later this year. It is likely compulsory purchase orders will be sought in order "to enable future redevelopment and subsequent demolition as appropriate."

So I'd suggest this is the area it means from what they've described excluding of course the foxhall village new housing and leisure park aka now Bloomfield central. Maybe the 1860 figure is because there's many houses of multiple occupancy?

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JJpool said:
I've voted many things before and also broadly supported the Labour council and it's plans.

Let's not sidetrack the thread.

Thoughts about this inner housing regeneration?

This is what the town has needed.

As discussed before Blackpool is at the beginning of a 15-20 year plan that will transform large parts of those inner areas.

All the notorious ones.

Let's discuss what they plan to do...

"It adds the area has been chosen for redevelopment because of its deprivation, poor quality housing and lack of public open space.

The report says: "Blackpool’s most acute deprivation statistics are intrinsically linked to private housing failure in this inner urban area. Partners acknowledge that it is now time to bring forward regeneration and investment at scale to reverse the cycle of worsening outcomes."

Work to improve the housing stock could include a mixture of selective clearance, refurbishment, enforcement action and investment in energy efficiency improvements.

Documents say 1,860 households will be affected, with the council set to start public consultation later this year. It is likely compulsory purchase orders will be sought in order "to enable future redevelopment and subsequent demolition as appropriate."

So I'd suggest this is the area it means from what they've described excluding of course the foxhall village new housing and leisure park aka now Bloomfield central. Maybe the 1860 figure is because there's many houses of multiple occupancy?

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I was joshing JJ. Of course your main thread is good. I know that.
 

Seaside Awards 2024

Three of Blackpool’s best loved beaches have once again been granted Seaside Awards, it was revealed today.
www.visitblackpool.com www.visitblackpool.com

Great going considering the number of visitors and the challenges from United utilities. Can only do what's within their control.
 
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