Blackpool Council services changes

There are no changes to household waste collections, as well as the Rover or Bulky Matters services.

No further changes have been made at the Bristol Avenue Tip and Household Waste Recycling Centre, except for the temporary closure of the Tip Shop.

For information on restrictions in place at the Tip.

Due to COVID-19, not all libraries are open at present.

Blackpool library service is currently operating the following temporary opening hours:

Anchorsholme Library

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
10.00am to 1.00pm

Central Library

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
10.00am to 4.00pm

Layton, Moor Park, and Palatine libraries

Monday and Friday 10.00am to 4.00pm
Saturday 10.00am-1.00pm

Revoe Library

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
1.00pm to 4.00pm

All other libraries will remain closed until further notice.

To ensure the safety of customers and employees you will only be able to:

• Access computer facilities for essential purposes
• Collect pre-ordered books

Sadly, whilst Blackpool is in Tier 4, customers will not be allowed into the buildings to browse or borrow items.

For those using the essential ICT services, there will be some necessary restrictions and procedures in place, including:

• Face coverings must be worn in the library
• Mandatory hand sanitising on entry and exit
• Reduced visitor capacity
• Limited time on library computers (for 45 minutes per person per day)
• Use of protective screens at counters and around computer terminals
• No public toilet access or casual seating

Customers will also have to provide contact details to assist with the NHS Test and Trace programme.

For note, the At Home Library Service will continue to operate under COVID-secure procedures during this period.

Thank you for your understanding and support with this.

For more information and to keep up to date with developments, please visit:

• Website
• Facebook: blackpoollibraryservice
• Twitter: @bpoollibraries

If you have any queries please get in touch:

Email: library.info@blackpool.gov.uk

or call one of the libraries during opening hours.

Talbot Road Multi-Storey car park and Seasiders Way car park remain closed. All other car parks are operating normally at present.

• The reception at Number One, Bickerstaffe Square, Talbot Road will be closed from 5.00pm Wednesday 4 November until further notice
• Housing benefit will be paid as normal and services can still be accessed online. Enquiries can be emailed to benefits@blackpool.gov.uk or customers can telephone 01253 478847 between 9.00am – 5.00pm
• The vast majority of our services will continue as we seek to protect the most vulnerable members of our community during this difficult period.
• It is possible there will be a reduction in level of service in some areas due to an increasing number of staff absences. Please bear with us.
• If you need to contact us, it will help us if you can phone, email or use other electronic means. Daily service updates will be posted on this page

Customer First

To ensure people's safety, Customer First is no longer offering any face to face appointments at this time.

For advice and information, please use the following:

• Council services: Residents can call customer services on 01253 477477 or email customer.first@blackpool.gov.uk
• Benefits: Residents can call 01253 478847 or email benefits@blackpool.gov.uk

Register office

The Wedding Chapel is closed for weddings and ceremonies, which are not currently permitted, however it is open for pre-booked notice appointments.

Registration of births and deaths will continue.

More information on registering births and deaths

Tourist Information Centre

The Tourist Information Centre at Festival House will closed until further notice.

Worried about a child?

We are all currently experiencing difficult times and this may go on for some time yet.

Whilst things are different, we still want to hear from you if you have any concerns about a child that may be being harmed.

If you have any concerns at all about a child please get in touch on: 01253 477299

Children's centres

Colleges, primary (reception onwards) and secondary schools will remain open for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers only. All other children will learn remotely until February half-term.

In the circumstances, the government do not think it is possible for all exams in the summer to go ahead as planned. They will be working with Ofqual to consult rapidly to put in place alternative arrangements that will allow students to progress fairly.

Attending school

The government will continue to prioritise the wellbeing and long-term futures of young people and are not closing schools, colleges or universities.

It remains very important for children and young people to attend, to support their wellbeing and education and help working parents and guardians.

The Prime Minister and education secretary have been clear that exams will go ahead next summer, as they are the fairest and most accurate way to measure a pupil's attainment.

We therefore need to keep schools and colleges open so that children are able to keep progressing towards exams and the next stage of education or employment.

Child employment during COVID-19

We have created advise on businesses that are employing children during this pandemic. This is available on our child employment page.

All leisure centres are currently closed. For the latest information regarding all Active Blackpool Leisure Facilities please visit the Active Blackpool website

• The Grundy Art Gallery is now closed until further notice
• The Solaris is closed until further notice.
• All adult, community and family learning courses are suspended until further notice
• All public toilets remain open

Adult day care centres will open using a 'risk based approach' for each individual and the family concerned. If you are not sure if your day care centre is open and would like to attend please contact them directly.

Throughout the pandemic, thecCouncil has provided temporary accommodation to residents that have been identified as rough sleeping in the area.

Due to the increase in COVID cases, coupled with the cold weather, the Housing Options Team will be intensifying their efforts to actively engage with rough sleepers, providing offers of support and accommodation where possible.

In order to keep people safe, identify suitable emergency accommodation, and ensure appropriate health support is also available initial assessments will be completed with rough sleepers by the Housing Options Team before placement.

Those who have had to leave their accommodation in an emergency or as a result of violence can contact the Emergency Duty Team outside of normal office hours, and an assessment will be made the following day.

Those currently staying with friends or family are encouraged to remain where they are, but can contact Housing Options to discuss the help available to find and secure longer term accommodation.

This continual offer of accommodation for all those eligible throughout the winter period will mean that the normal SWEP processes should not be required, however we will continue to closely monitor the weather and numbers on the street, until the end of March.