A better Blackpool

We're committed to making Blackpool better for local people and there are some exciting changes happening, including new housing, more shops and better roads and public transport.

We want to create a better, more attractive place to live, leading to more jobs for local people.

Find out how our roads are being impacted by the town centre improvement works.

Blackpool Central

A £300 million development which will bring world-class visitor attractions to a landmark site on the famous Golden Mile. A range of indoor attractions will be built, including the UK’s first flying theatre, the world’s first multimedia exhibition of its kind and the most advanced virtual reality experience on an epic scale.

It is estimated that the development will attract 600,000 additional visitors a year with a combined annual spend of £75m. It will also create 1,000 new jobs for people in Blackpool.

Shop and enjoy

There will be an extended Houndshill Shopping Centre, more places to eat and drink and a new nine screen cinema with an IMAX-style screen, making Blackpool the preferred place for shopping, entertainment and culture for all. It is hoped construction will begin in the new year to build the three storey extension to the Houndshill with a Wilko store and restaurant on the ground floor and first floor.

Modern streets

Updating and modernising key streets in Blackpool to create a more modern, fresh and appealing look and feel. The £7m facelift will include resurfaced roads, better pavements, more crossings, more benches, bins and cycle parking. We've also launched the £1million Property Improvement Fund to help town centre businesses improve the front of their premises.

Artist impression of new Talbot Road development

Conference and business

A 21^st Century state-of-the-art conference centre is being built, encouraging more people to stay and shop in our town. The brand new conference centre will directly link to the refurbished Empress Ballroom and Opera House increasing the Winter Gardens overall capacity for conferences to 7,000 delegates. The steel frame for the main event space is currently being installed, with next steps including connecting the new build to the existing Winter Gardens. The conference centre is expected to open for business in 2020.

Artist impression of new Winter Gardens Conference and Exhibition Centre

Jobs and investment

The investment into the town centre will attract more business and businesses. Investment into the conference centre and new 4 and 5 star hotels will create local jobs and apprenticeships during the build and into the future. The construction company for the new Premier Inn at Talbot Square are currently on site and are expected to complete their works by early 2020.

Artists impression of new Talbot Road hotel

Travel

More trams on the network and more frequent services. The extension to the tramway will connect North Station to the Promenade giving a direct link to shops, hotels and attractions. There will be a modern and electrified rail line which is cleaner, greener, quieter and more reliable. Getting you to where you need to be to shop, work and enjoy Blackpool. The roadworks phase of the project will be complete by the end of February 2019.

Upcoming events

We're holding the following events across Blackpool to give residents the opportunity to find out more:

26 February 2019 12.30-2.30pm - Bickerstaffe Square outside Sainsburys

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