Multiversity
£40million Levelling Up funding to deliver new Multiversity
Landmark levelling up funding will ensure delivery of a new Multiversity, a carbon-neutral, education campus in Blackpool’s Talbot Gateway Central Business District.
£40m funding has been confirmed to deliver new Multiversity education campus in Blackpool!
Blackpool Council, supported by Wyre Council, will receive the funding to deliver a new Multiversity, a carbon-neutral, education campus in Blackpool’s Talbot Gateway Central Business District.
New images show the scale of the landmark development, which will allow Blackpool and the Fylde College to replace out of town centre facilities with world-class state-of-the-art ones in the heart of the town centre.
The Multiversity will promote higher-level skills, helping residents in Blackpool secure jobs for the future.
Car parking
East Topping Street Car Park will remain open but 45 car parking spaces at the north of the car park will temporarily be lost during the demolition period.
Talbot Gateway update – Testing new tram tracks
From Monday 27 June, we’ll be testing the new extended tramway to ‘North Station’ here’s what you need to know
- For up to seven days, you’ll see trams every 10 minutes along the route in both directions
- They won’t be open to the general public just yet, but traffic lanes will be open as normal to ensure all the signals are working properly
- There will be no road closures and the existing tram service won’t be affected. The testing will take place from 10.00am to 3.00pm each day
Please take extra care along these new routes during these times. Once open, the new tram route will connect Blackpool North train station to the Promenade, giving a direct link to shops, hotels and leisure attractions, as well as easier commuting for residents, workers and visitors.
Phase 3 announcement!
It’s official! After several years of behind the scenes negotiations, we are delighted to announce that over 3,000 civil servants are to be relocated to a new £100m office development in Blackpool town centre.
Described as ‘an historic moment’ for Blackpool’s town centre regeneration by Council Leader Cllr Lynn Williams, The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has agreed a 25 year lease with Blackpool Council and partner Muse Developments to develop a new regional hub at Talbot Gateway. DWP staff from Warbreck House and Ryscar House will move into the Blackpool Hub and Centre for Health and Disability Centre (CHDA) in autumn 2024.
This is part of the DWP’s strategic plan to centralise civil service jobs in the heart of Blackpool, and also the next stage in the Council’s ambition to rejuvenate the town centre by the introduction of high quality office developments that will protect local jobs and create new employment opportunities, drive footfall and bring a huge economic boost to retailers and local businesses in the town centre.
The c.215,000 sq ft, seven storey Hub at a new Bickerstaffe Square on King Street, will draw on Blackpool’s rich Art Deco architectural heritage, will boast an eco-friendly design, new pedestrian and cycle paths, plenty of bicycle storage for cycling to work and promoting a healthier lifestyle, and is extremely accessible, being just a few minutes walk from bus, train and tram stops, including a new tram interchange at Blackpool North train station.
Site preparation started in early 2022. Please be aware that there will be limited access available to East Topping Street Car Park as things move forward. For more information on car parking in Blackpool town centre, visit our Car Parks page.
Read the Talbot Gateway announcement
Phase 2 update
Working in partnership with Blackpool Council and Muse developments, Robertson Construction, the main contractor, started demolition of the Wilko building and connected car park in September 2020.
The development, which will feature a 4* Holiday Inn and Marco Pierre White restaurant, is well on the way to completion.
A new modern and bright underpass is being built from Blackpool North train station. High Street is currently closed to allow the underpass works to be carried out. Diversions are in place so please allow extra time for your journeys.
Tramway contractors SISK are also back on site at Talbot Road to complete the new £23.4m tram link to Blackpool North train station. The existing tramway will be further extended from the corner of Dickson/Talbot Road, through the site to a new North Station terminus.
SISK are currently carrying out span works and completing the running of the overhead wiring into the new tram terminus. This essential work will ensure that trams can run down Talbot Road.
Community activity
To support the local community throughout the project and to promote skilled training opportunities in Blackpool, main contractor Robertson’s Group has established a Sector Based Work Academy (SWAP) with Build Up Blackpool and Department of Work and Pensions. 10 long term unemployed residents will undertake five weeks of training leading to a CSCS card (Construction Skills Certificate Scheme) over the coming months. Blackpool and Fylde College have also agreed to run a virtual work experience for their T level students using the Robertson Tower City Project in June 21.
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