Multiversity
A £65m Levelling Up Fund supported world-class university experience will be delivered, facilitating higher level upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning.
The scheme is town centre based and close to the train station and tram interchange. It will free up the existing college site for residential development. Work on clearing the area has already started and the new build will is expected to open in 2028.
The Multiversity campus will be delivered through a partnership involving Blackpool Council and Blackpool and the Fylde College in association with Lancaster University. It will be a unique proposition, providing a cutting-edge response to local, regional, and national priorities, designed to accommodate up to 3000 learners. Key benefits include:
- Improving skills and opportunities – The investment in a new, high-quality, purpose-built educational facility will provide an unrivalled learning environment, encouraging more learners to choose to continue with their education in Blackpool. A tailored curriculum, catering for needs of employers in order to fill skills gaps across the Fylde coast, means the Multiversity, by virtue of what is taught there, will link directly to employment opportunities
- Supporting town centre regeneration – The development of the Multiversity adjacent to the town centre will complement other major developments, including the developments at Talbot Gateway, the extension to the Houndshill Shopping Centre and the new Winter Gardens Conference and Exhibition Centre, in providing year-round footfall into the town centre, reducing the impacts of seasonality
- Built environment uplift – The Multiversity’s development will provide uplift to an area that has not previously benefitted from significant investment, improving the area significantly
The overall project to deliver the Multiversity is underpinned by six key project objectives:
- Injection of a new life to the heart of Blackpool
- Embed holistically into the town centre
- Allow people to up-skill through life through enabling more people to gain higher level qualifications each year
- Raise the college profile in the town and beyond
- Create an iconic building that sings Blackpool
- Increased footfall in the town centre to encourage regeneration
Stanley Buildings
Blackpool Council has completed a £8.2m transformation of Stanley Buildings, breathing new life into a heritage building 90 years after it first opened.
The transformation includes opening The Robinson, a new business growth hub, designed to help local companies grow.
Disused space in the upper floors has been refurbished to offer 44 private offices for lease, as well as six meeting rooms and a vibrant co-working environment.
Work to the rest of the building has included repairing and replacing faience blocks, refurbishing the roof and installing new windows. Investment in solar panels and air source heat pumps will significantly lower the building’s carbon impact.
Renovation work has included the replacement of 18 shopfront units with further works underway to ensure the retail units are ready to occupy. The project will attract more businesses into the town centre to benefit from Blackpool Council’s £350m regeneration of the area, bringing over 8,000 workers and students into the area in the coming years.
The Robinson is named in honour of John Charles Robinson, Blackpool Corporation’s former chief architect, who between 1920-1944 designed many of Blackpool’s landmark civic buildings including Stanley Buildings, a symbol of art deco elegance. The Robinson reflects that same spirit of progress, with beautifully designed spaces for working, meeting and co-working.
The triangular shaped Stanley Buildings, with its distinctive cream art deco façade, was opened in 1935 and originally comprised 26 shops at ground floor level with corporation offices above called Stanley Chambers.
Original architectural features have been carefully preserved and complemented by modern amenities, including ultra-fast broadband and thoughtfully designed communal spaces.
The project has been funded by Blackpool Council and the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity and Town Deal Funds.
The Platform
The Platform is a new service for 16 to 24 year olds to help them find a job, access training or education.
We have a new team of friendly employment advisers who work with you to ensure that you get support with things like CV writing, interview techniques, confidence building, arranging work experience placements, education and training and linking in with local job opportunities.
If you live in Blackpool, are currently unemployed and need any help with any of the above please do get in touch.
More information...
Schools
Plans to transform education to enable children to thrive and achieve their potential are at the heart of a new ten-year education strategy.
The Education Vision and Strategy 2020-30 sets out the ambition to provide the highest quality education and improve outcomes for children and families in Blackpool.
The vision is the result of a joint effort from Blackpool Council and the partners within the Blackpool Education Improvement Board (BEIB).
More information...