Council delighted as Merlin unveils plans for Blackpool Tower
Merlin Entertainments has unveiled plans for transforming Blackpool Tower and Louis Tussauds Waxworks.

In March this year Blackpool Council completed the purchase of Blackpool Tower, the Winter Gardens and the Golden Mile Centre and promised to restore the town’s most loved attractions back their former glory and bringing with it a whole range of new facilities fit for the 21^st Century.

Once Merlin takes over operation of the attractions in November, work will start to transform Louis Tussauds waxworks into the only Madame Tussauds outside of London. Blackpool Tower is also set to have new attractions in the form of a dungeons and a 4D cinema experience.

Cllr Peter Callow, Leader of Blackpool Council, said “Bringing the Tower into public ownership is already paying off and I’m delighted to see the plans Merlin has for the whole complex. This Council wants people to think of Blackpool as a family friendly resort and these new attractions are bound to attract new visitors.

“Having seen what has already been suggested I have no doubt that Merlin is exactly the right partner for us on this project, and that working together we make local residents proud of what their town has to offer.

”We want residents to feel real ownership and pride in the new Tower Complex and the project as a whole. It is “our” Tower now and we plan to breathe new life into this wonderful building."

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said: "The transformation of such iconic attractions will strengthen Blackpool's reputation as one of the nation's favourite seaside resorts and help to secure the ongoing regeneration of the town."

Deborah McLaughlin, Director – North West of the Homes and Communities Agency said: “As a key funder, it is great to see the evolving plans for the revival of the Tower which are further evidence of the regeneration of Blackpool.”

Funding for the purchases and investment has been secured from:

• Blackpool Council £10m
• Homes and Communities Agency £7m
• Northwest Regional Development Agency £7.9m
•  Northwest European Regional Development Fund £14m

Funding for the purchases and investment has been secured from:

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the national housing and regeneration agency for England, which seeks to create high-quality sustainable places and improve quality of life for local people. For more information visit homesandcommunities.co.uk

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) works to deliver economic success in England’s Northwest by building the competitiveness of its businesses, people and places. Utilising our technical expertise and strategic influence, we help the region’s 250,000+ businesses to develop and grow, as well as supporting international trade and encouraging inward investment.

ERDF in the Northwest The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is making a real difference to people and businesses in the Northwest. With €755 million to invest between 2007 and 2013, ERDF is enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s economy by supporting growth in enterprise and employment. ERDF in the Northwest is managed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). For further information please visit www.erdfnw.co.uk.