The town deal, described by Blackpool Council Leader Cllr Lynn Williams as 'game-changing', with the seven business cases having been approved by the Blackpool Council's Executive Committee further to an initial Investment Plan submitted to Government in July 2020.
Blackpool Town Deal Investment Plan [PDF 6.3MB]
Full sign off, of all seven schemes was provided by the government's Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) - now Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) - in March 2022. Blackpool will have until the end of the 2025/26 financial year to spend the Town Deal money.
Town Deal Projects
Blackpool central courts relocation (£6.95 Million)
Supporting the relocation of Blackpool’s county and magistrates courts to open up space for a new private sector-led investment at Blackpool Central.
An additional £1million of “accelerated funding” was previously granted in September 2020 which allowed the purchase of the land where the new court building is anticipated to be relocated.
Blackpool Multiversity (£9 Million)
Relocation of the Blackpool and the Fylde College’s Palatine Road campus to create a world class university learning environment in the town centre. It will help to address local skills needs, working with local employers and in partnership with Lancaster University. Town deal money supported the acquisition and demolition of the land.
The new multiversity campus has been designed to accommodate up to 3,000 staff and students.
Above: Architect's Image of the Multiversity
Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone (£7.5 Million)
Build a series of new roads to open up development sites to attract jobs and investment at the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone (EZ).
Through the creation of new highways, the scheme will support business and jobs growth, opening up 10.5 hectares of previously inaccessible development land. This will support the aim of the Enterprise Zone to create 5,000 new jobs for the area by 2041.
Above: Aerial view of the Blackpool Enterprise Zone.
Revoe Community Sports Village (£6.5 Million)
This project will aid the regeneration of the Revoe area, creating new sports pitches and facilities for community wide use.
It will create investment within the Blackpool FC Bloomfield Road ground and surrounding area.
The overall project aim is to provide a sports village with leisure and educational uses and attract further private investment to the area.
Above: Aerial view of the Community Sport Village Area.
Stanley Buildings/The Edge (£4.5 Million)
Redevelopment of the existing town centre Stanley Buildings to create modern office space for new start-ups and growing businesses, and providing business advice for growth-ambitious small businesses.
The Edge is the name given to the new extended managed workspace that will bring into use large parts of the upper floors of the building to create a vibrant business hub with a choice of offices,meeting rooms, co-working and breakout spaces.
The building completed in September 2025.
Blackpool Illuminations modernisation (£4.5 Million)
Upgrading the world famous Blackpool Illuminations to attract new visitors by developing new features and lighting technology.
A number of new centrepiece attractions will be designed alongside new lighting infrastructure improvements and essential technical equipment needed to deliver the illuminations in a greener, more sustainable way.
Blackpool Youth Hub The Platform (£0.5 Million)
Thanks to funding from the Town Deal, we were able to establish The Platform—a partnership-based youth hub focused on supporting young people aged 16–24 into employment, education, and training.
Since opening in February 2022 to March 2024, The Platform delivered impressive results. A total of 1,092 young people have signed up for support, and through 4,553 appointments, the service has helped young people access 291 training and education courses, leading to 340 individuals starting work.
Working in collaboration with the DWP Jobcentre Plus and Blackpool and The Fylde College, The Platform has made a significant impact on reducing the number of NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) young people in Blackpool. In recognition of its outstanding work, The Platform was awarded the ERSA Partnership of the Year Award in 2023.
Although the initial Town Deal funding has ended, The Platform continues to operate under the SPF Government funding stream (until March 2026), and has now achieved over 1,000 positive outcomes for young people in Blackpool.
We remain incredibly grateful for the support from the Town Deal, which enabled us to launch this vital service and transform the lives of so many young people in our town.
The Platform is located in a town centre unit within Bickerstaffe House, a council owned building.
Above: The Platform team outside of The Platform Hub.
Capacity funding
Blackpool Council received £243,029 in capacity funding to support the development of the project business cases and to support programme development and management costs.
Find out more about the town deal
or email regeneration@blackpool.gov.uk