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Published Date:
16 July 2009

By Nick Hyde

IT'S war! Blackpool has gone face-to-face with shopping rivals Preston over the city's controversial Tithebarn project.

Today, council leader Peter Callow accused Preston's council chiefs of stealing the town's shoppers after the £700m scheme was given the go-ahead.

And Preston City Council's leader Coun Ken Hudson has hit back, accusing Blackpool of having a "small town mentality".

The 37-acre shopping mecca will revamp the city's ageing shopping centre and bring millions of pounds of investment to Preston.

But Blackpool Council is seething over the plans just a year after the resort's retail revival began.

Blackpool Council's chief executive Steve Weaver has asked the Government Office for the North West to "call in" the application saying it would be "perverse" if it was determined by planners in the city.

Bosses have vowed to take the matter to a judicial review if it is not called in.

Preston has hit back branding Blackpool's letter to the Government Office of the North West "scathing".

Coun Callow told The Gazette: "Preston basically want to steal Blackpool's shoppers, it's as simple as that. They are rubbing our noses in it just a year after we experienced our own revamp of the town centre.

"Just when we are starting to get back on our feet the council chiefs in Preston want to take it all away from us. Well, we won't stand for it. We will fight them on this for as long as it takes.

"The Tithebarn project may well change Preston's fortunes but it could have a devastating effect for Blackpool."

Blackpool put in a last-minute objection to the bid before it went in front of Preston's planners on Tuesday but the scheme was still voted through.

The council also submitted a 34-page report at how the project would have a negative impact on the resort and neighbouring towns.

Preston City Council's leader Coun Ken Hudson accused Blackpool of having a "small town mentality".

He added: "I am quite perturbed by what is being said. We have never objected to anything Blackpool has applied for and we have even backed them on some schemes.

"The 34-page report gave us little information to think twice about the application.

"I also believe they wrote a scathing letter to the Government office threatening a judicial review if the matter was not called in.

"To say things like they are just shows they have a small town mentality when our consultants say the Tithebarn project will have a five per cent effect on Blackpool.

"This project will benefit the whole of the Lancashire sub region, create jobs and bring more investment into the area."

Blackburn with Darwen Council has also objected to the plans.
The project is set to be completed by 2013.

Town centre traders – who were part of a £30m revamp of the Houndshill Shopping Centre last summer – said they were not concerned about the development.

John Holt, Houndshill Shopping Centre manager, said: "If it's going to cripple anywhere it will be Preston's Fishergate Centre as it's on their doorstep.

"We have worked hard here to build up our reputation and I cannot see shopping fleeing in droves to go down the road to Preston.

"I am not overly concerned about this development."

Graham Dickinson, manager of the Debenhams store, added: "2013 is a long way away so I can't say I am too bothered by it.

"I don't think it will effect us too much to be honest. Our customer numbers keep going up and we are happy. "The Tithebarn project is a long time away so I will worry about it when I need to."

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Last Updated: 16 July 2009 8:28 AM
Source: n/a
Location: Blackpool

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Last

ZimFlyer,

16/07/2009 08:54:59

Rather than worry about Preston trying to raise it's game, we should concentrate our energies on doing what is right for Blackpool, ie pushing on with the Talbot Gateway, doing something with the central station site and extending the tram line to Blackpool North.

Sheepdog,

16/07/2009 08:55:40

Mr Callow give it a rest. Understand we go to Preston because its quicker,& easier to get to than going to Blackpool town centre. 32 mins to do 19miles by rail or 30 mins to do 2miles by bus. No problems in getting a pram on the train , no having to spend a lifetime navigating the town centre roadworks , stuck in the one way system around the town , sat on buses that are at best slow , heating on ,& whats in Blackpool when you get there?

Sorry but Blackpool is losing out to Preston already, take a trip home on the train from Preston to North or South see the trains packed full of people with Primark , Next , Debenhams ,M&S , Clintons , HMV bags etc & see the great excodus at Lytham , Ansdell , St Annes , Squires Gate , Kirkham , Poulton le Fylde.

Blackpool town centre is a dirty word , when you cant get people who live within a 7 mile radius to shop here then its time to face facts.

North & South stations are to far away from the shopping zone

Buses are to slow , getting to expensive & are just innefective

Car parks are dingy

Road layouts are slow, create congestion , one way systems that are less than useless.

No decent eateries , places to relax or sit down.

Shops in Blackpool same as anywhere else , nothing of note to make it stand out.

Blackpool is seen as being dingy , seedy, full of idiots , drunks , druggies , scroats wandering about.

Its no good being a latter day King Kanute Mr Callow , Tithebarn will happen , all it does it show up for all to see how small time in thinking Mr Callow & his ilk are. Nothing to stop Blackpool enticing John Lewis or Ikea to the town , the facts are that the council just doesnt have a clue as to how go about getting this town moving forward. A few trees , inept paving schemes on Abingdon Street, gantries with lights on are just the equivalent of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic ,they sum up how lacking in ambition, understanding what the towns ills are & how they can be rectified. Inv

Mysterium,

16/07/2009 09:02:06

I agree with posts 1 & 2

,

16/07/2009 09:24:09

Comment Reported Unsuitable By User

Ady J,

Blackpool 16/07/2009 09:35:24

There is a recession on and there is less money around...I know let's build more shops. Quality idea!

As long as our society buys in to this consumerism idea we are doomed - it;s all just one big pyramid scheme that will come crashing down.

,

16/07/2009 09:43:42

Comment Reported Unsuitable By User

911 Kirky,

Thornton Cleveleys 16/07/2009 10:13:13

Couldn't agree with Sheepdog more..... I would love to support Blackpool town centre, but the facts speak for themselves - it just isn't up to much as a town full stop! get on with the Talbot gateway and sort the place out, it looks like a bleedin war zone in some parts! In saying that, the prom is looking mighty fine, so lets have more of this!

charabang,

Lancs 16/07/2009 10:29:13

"Council leader Peter Callow accused Preston's council chiefs of stealing the town's shoppers".

Blackpool Council don't moan about stealing holiday makers from other places in the UK.

What about all those Grand Plans that are announced every week in the Gazette by Peter Callow and friends, why don't they finish these Grand Plans instead of burst of publicity and then nothing happens.

BlackpoolRockSeller,

Far far away..... (thank God!) 16/07/2009 10:35:28

Sheepdog's post is the most incisive analysis of the problems faced in the the town of Blackpool I have read in a long time and Council would do well to take note of the points he has highlighted.
You don't need consultants on thousands of pounds in fees, just listen to local people.