Mark Winter, General Manager at Holiday Inn Blackpool, said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the popularity of the hotel since we opened. As well as rooms being booked, people are really enjoying using the lobby and Platform 9 area to eat, meet and socialise. “This move will allow us to be more flexible with the menu that we offer. I know that our kitchen and waiting staff are excited to let their creativity flow with a new menu and offering specials for our guests to enjoy. “We will be releasing tables to book through the Platform 9 website soon, as well as releasing the new menu. Anybody with a booking after 12 January will be getting a phonecall about the changes and inviting them to try out the new expanded Platform 9.”

Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment at Blackpool Council, added: “We knew that a hotel and restaurant would be a success, particularly when sandwiched between the train station and tramway extension, and with over 8,000 workers and students on their doorstep in the coming years. “This move will allow the Platform 9 offer to grow, reducing commission and offering more flexibility to the excellent team which run the hotel already.”