The Blackpool Lead

15/09/2025

The progress of one of Blackpool’s biggest regeneration projects is due to be discussed tonight as the next steps forward are considered.

The ‘Blackpool Central’ scheme was being overseen by developer Nikal Ltd and included a 1,300-space car park – which opened last year – a 200-bedroom hotel, a 127,000 sq ft flying theatre, two indoor theme parks, a 70,000 sq ft public square and a string of bars and restaurants in the heart of the resort.

However, the £300 million plans hit a devastating setback last October when Manchester-based Nikal filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators – raising concerns about the future of the project.

In a bid to relaunch the initiative, Blackpool Council began a tender exercise looking for a highly experienced property marketing agent to help with finding new international investors for the 10-acre site.

Tonight the council’s Executive committee will discuss an update report relating to the Blackpool Central site in the light of tenders received, seeking approval to appoint consultants to market the development and the site.

A report prepared for the meeting says: “The Council has worked hard over recent times on preparing the site for future development.

“These works have resulted in a site which now offers fantastic development potential, with the full availability of the land now firmly within the Council’s control.

“Many of the barriers that previously existed have now been removed, with the construction of a new multi-storey car park and removal of the former police station and courts building to name but a few, both freeing up large areas of the site for the construction of new facilities.

“This is seen as a significant step forward and one which can only help to enhance the appeal of the site and opportunity that exists. “

The council believes that the best way forward would be to market the site, based in a prime area of the UK’s biggest seaside holiday resort, with the help of a top marketing consultant.

The report says: “With the support of the right marketing/commercial partners, it is anticipated that a greater knowledge led approach to the investment / developer market may attract the right developer.

“A developer who has the ambition to deliver a scheme of a scale and high standard befitting of the site and ambitions of the Council, bringing about wide scale regeneration, economic growth with attractions which are state of the art, aiming to enhance the resorts existing visitor offer. “

It adds: “The Council has invited tenders for the appointment of professional consultants to assist with the marketing and promotion of the site. Evaluations are in the final stage and the Council expects to be in a position to appoint a preferred consultant in September.”

The site already has outline planning permission for the ambitious amenities earmarked for the site.

Once the site of Blackpool Central train station, the council is currently clearing the land to create a shovel ready site.

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said previously: “Blackpool Central sits right at the heart of our plans to make Blackpool better for everybody.

“I believe that this is one of the most exciting leisure development opportunities in the country. I look forward to finding a company that shares our vision for a world-class leisure development which creates jobs for our local people, extends our tourism season and supports our local economy to grow.”

15/09/2025

Police have confirmed the body of a man was discovered at around 5am at Revoe Park in Blackpool this morning.

His death is not being treated as suspicious. Police are trying to trace next of kin for the man, who they believe was in his 40s.

They were called after reports that a tree branch had fallen on a tent and struck the person inside.

Police added: "The man’s death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be passed in due course to HM Coroner."

14/09/2025

An inquest into the death of a Blackpool dad will ‘scrutinise’ the council’s handling of a Compulsory Purchase Order of his home in the months before he died, a court has heard.

PLUS: A Blackpool woman who sued the Ministry of Defence after falling off a horse and shattering her shoulder has been branded “fundamentally dishonest” by a judge.

13/09/2025

Tomorrow's edition of The Blackpool Lead focuses on the pre-inquest review into the death of Alistair Taylor.

Blackpool Council's potential role in his death, as part of their efforts to acquire his home for their Multiversity project, will be examined in-depth next month.

Full story free to subscribers 👇

13/09/2025

Blackpool Council reports it is already working on a strategy to urgently improve its adult social care services after inspectors rated the provision ‘inadequate’.

Last month the Care Quality Commission (CQC) published its findings after looking at nine areas of the council’s work in adult social care, handing the authority low scores in most areas.

As a result of the low score, the CQC highlighted shortcomings to the Government, flagging up which areas need to be improved.

At next week’s meeting of the council’s Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee on September 17, a report will highlight how the authority is responding to the highly critical report.

Although the inspectors did acknowledge that staff were passionate about their work and proud to work for the council, many areas were found to need rapid improvement.

Urgent action was needed on leadership, management, and safeguarding, with key areas needing attention include a lack of strategic planning, particularly for mental health and substance misuse services, and a culture where decisions are made for, rather than with, people. The council also needs to address inequalities in care provision and improve the timeliness of support, such as equipment and reablement.

Cllr Neal Brookes, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, admitted the report was a difficult read and the council took the findings “ exceptionally seriously”.

The council is tackling the challenge of how to improve services by looking at three areas -Leadership and Governance; Practice and Culture; and Performance and Data, and what will change over three months, six months and nine months.

A new improvement board will oversee: –

*How people who use services and their carers are influencing how Adult Social Care works.

*Evidence-based improvement planning that is monitored at a team, service area and whole service level.

*Leadership that is inclusive, capable, and compassionate and has a clear understanding of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). –

*Clear accountability and transparent performance information that improves the quality and impact of decisions, resource plans and evidences impact. –

*Activities are delivered on target and to plan with early escalation of issues that allows drift and delay to be addressed promptly.

*Visible progress in service quality and user outcomes – identifying and address all long waits. – Evidence the use of strengths-based approaches that focus on people’s assets and lived experiences.

The report stated: “By the end of October 2025 the Council will be working with our Improvement Adviser, supported by Partners for Care and Health (PCH) to develop a detailed improvement plan that will be submitted to and approved by the Department for Health and Social Care.

“Our plan will be driven by the Council and overseen by the Adult Social Care Improvement Board, but will need the active support and participation of our partners, our workforce and some key resources to have the required impact.

“Workforce and partners have expressed both commitment and determination to work through the areas of improvement together and deliver change.

“Staff, managers and leaders are engaged in discussions about what is needed and how they would like to see work develop – and this will form the basis of the detailed improvement plan.”

It adds: “Our Improvement Board will help to bring together the partners needed to deliver and oversee our improvement work. An independent Chair is being appointed by the Council to drive the work of the board and strengthen the oversight and challenge that is brought to the scale, pace and deliverability of the change that is needed in Blackpool. “

10/09/2025

Two attractions new to Blackpool are being proposed for a seafront site close the town’s famous South Pier.

Planners at Blackpool Council have just rejected one application for two rides, a Star Rider and a Log Flume, on either side of the pier.

Now another potential crowd-puller is being proposed nearby – the Upside-Down House and Spinning House- a two-in-one attraction earmarked for land south of the pier.

After initial plans were lodged back in January, further planning documents have just been submitted in the last few days for the er****on of Upside Down House attraction and installation of an ancillary ticket office.

A Planning, Design and Access Statement has been prepared by MPD Built Environment Consultants Ltd, on behalf of applicants named as Upside Down House UK Limited.

The company operates multiple “Upside Down” attraction houses across the UK, with current or recent locations including Bournemouth, Brighton, Clacton-on-Sea, Liverpool ONE, Lakeside (Thurrock), and Gulliver’s Kingdom.

Now Blackpool could be added to the list, if plans get the green light.

The statement says: ”The application site is to the west of the tramway, between South Pier to the north and the Sandcastle Waterworld to the south on one of the areas reclaimed from the sea as part of the wider Promenade improvement works.

“The Karting 2000 operation previously occupied the site

“The Upside-Down House is a two-storey structure which has a maximum height of approximately 7 metres, a depth of 13 metres and a width of 11 metres.

“It has been designed to appear to be upside down on its roof with a slight angle.

“The Spinning House is a single-space structure. It has a maximum height of approximately 3.7 metres, a width of 4.8 metres. It has been designed to be at a small elevation, which allows it to rotate in either direction.

“The customer however would be inside on a stationary bench.

“There is one ancillary structure associated with the development, which is a ticket booth, which has a height of 2.55m, a depth of 2.38m and a width of 1.74m.

“The house will have wheelchair friendly pathways, allowing ease of access into the house.

“The Upside-Down House structure stands on a pre-cast concrete foundation that can be dismantled, returning the terrace to normal in as little as two days.”

The applicants are seeking temporary planning permission for the siting of the Upside Down House and Spinning House for a temporary period.

The statement adds: “The Upside-Down and Spinning Houses represent a significant tourist attraction that will enhance the existing offer of Blackpool.

“The attractions are a year-round operation ensuring that they will attract tourists during every season of the year.”

A heritage statement adds that the attractions will result in “minimal impact” on the character, setting or significance of the locally listed structure (The South Pier).

10/09/2025

"I believe it's only proper that party members or councillors hold their party to account. Unlike many you see in the established two-party system I won't hesitate to speak up publicly when I believe they're making a mistake.”

PLUS: Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust finds itself poorly placed in the new NHS league table

09/09/2025

New proposals for two rides to operate either side of Blackpool’s famous South Pier have been thrown out by planners.

The full planning application by the Blackpool Pier Company was for a Star Flyer ride on the south side of South Pier and Log Flume on the north side of the pier, to be in place for a period between April 1 and October 31 each year.

Applicants Blackpool Pier Company argued that the rides would raise vital revenue for repair work on all three piers, whose heritage importance. outweighed normal planning policy.

But the argument did not succeed.

It wasn’t the first time the applicants had sought permission to operate the Log Flume at the site.

Blackpool Council’s planning committee had previously refused to grant permission for the ride to remain on the Prom alongside South Pier, back in September 2018, after having given it temporary approval to be sited there on an earlier occasion.

When the Pier Company appealed to the Planning Inspectorate about the council’s 2018 refusal, it lost the appeal.

Now planners have refused the Pier Company’s latest planning application.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort had also objected to the plans, pointing to several key areas in the planning officer’s critical report.

A planning statement on behalf of the The Pier Company stated: “The Log Flume comes in multiple formats, but essentially has a footprint of 42m by 18m and a height of 12 metres, with a total track length of some 220 m interwoven within the ‘mini lake’ setting.

“The Starflyer to be sited on the south side of the Pier, is a 77m high ride.

“Monies made from rides on Central or South Pier are used for works to North Pier as well.

“All three piers need ongoing maintenance work, as you would expect from structures constructed in the 19th Century, however, in reality storm damage and ‘time marching on’ means that more and more replacement works to the decking and the steel structure are required on an annual basis.”

The statement added: “The three piers owned by the Blackpool Pier company make up almost half of the seven surviving piers in the region, with 9 having closed or disappeared.

“In the regional context, and in the national context as a tourist destination, the retention of the Blackpool Piers is of great significance.”

The company argued that retention of the three Piers for future generations, carried overwhelming weight when considered against planning policy argument against development on the west side of the tramline.

However, the planning officer decreed that the application could not be accepted because it was contrary to a number of planning policies.

In refusing the application, the report said: “The application proposes piecemeal development on the Promenade and development west of the tram track which is not one of the forms of development specified with Policy DM10 as being acceptable there.

“The application seeks a permanent planning permission for the siting of two non-permanent fairground rides on a prominent site on the Promenade which would not represent the high quality development required.

“With regard to the proposed log flume, due to the form of development proposed, including its functional appearance, the proposal would not fit well in the setting of South Pier, or with the quality of the upgraded Promenade that presents an attractive public area along the seafront.”

09/09/2025

The authority responsible for managing activity at a highly controversial landfill has slammed the company behind it and distanced itself from the updates it provides to the community.

PLUS: Further damaging revelations from Blackpool Victoria Hospital

06/09/2025

In tomorrow's Blackpool Lead:

💩 An update into Jameson Road landfill, the black liquid, Transwaste's 'independent' odour reporting and more.

🏥 In a week when Valerie Kneale's death was officially declared an unlawful killing - though one that is unlikely to ever be solved - new details can now be reported about the hospital's mistakes and issues with the keeping of records.

Free to subscribers - sign up 👇

04/09/2025

Options to hasten progress on a stalled multi-million pound new hotel on Blackpool Promenade are being looked at in earnest, the resort’s council says.

Plans for the Sands Resort Hotel on Central Promenade were mooted exactly 10 years ago but a large portion of the distinctive black-clad property on the seafront remains empty.

Last year, council leader Cllr Lynn Williams, quizzed about the issue at a council meeting, said the loan was secured and the council was in touch with the developer’s lawyers, with hopes of the legal issues soon being resolved.

However, progress has been held up for four years due to legal wrangles. While the exterior of the building has been completed, the interior of the 91-bedroom hotel has yet to be fitted out.

it is understood that Blackpool Council’s loan to developer Peter Swann through his company Coolsilk, made in 2018, is repayable over 25 years and is secured against the completed development.

Last year, Council leader Cllr Lynn Williams, quizzed about the issue at a council meeting, said the loan was secured and the council was in touch with the developer’s lawyers, with hopes of the legal issues soon being resolved.

She told the meeting: “The issue, which I think we have spoken about before, is between the developer and his contractor and architect. We understand that is now coming to the end of that process and we will hear something shortly.”

The hotel was initially expected to launch in 2021 and with facilities including a luxury spa and gym, conference rooms and valet parking. The site also includes the council’s Showtown Museum which opened in March last year after also being delayed from June 2021.

The ground floor also includes the £600,000 Spyglass Bar which opened in 2021 and the Wild West Diner which opened in 2017.

The site was originally occupied by the Palatine Hotel before it was demolished to make way for development which included the old Palace Nightclub, which Mr Swann converted to the Sands cabaret venue before closing that and embarking on the current development.

Asked about the latest developments this week, a Blackpool Council spokesperson said: “ Whilst some aspects of the building have developed and moved forward, including the award winning Showtown – Blackpool’s Museum of Fun and the restaurant and bar on the ground floor; the hotel has not seen any progress on site.

“We believe the developer, Coolsilk, is still in dispute with their contractors and have not yet reached a conclusion on this process. We have no clear information on when an outcome will be reached.

“We are considering what options we have to hasten some progress on this development.”

03/09/2025

The inquest into Valerie's death is taking place this week.

PLUS: Circumstances that led to death of an Irish man, washed up in Blackpool, to be examined