Investment plans backed by council

An artists impression of the proposed new conference centre for Blackpool

The council’s executive committee has agreed to bid for government funding through the Lancashire Growth Deal for a £25m conference centre at the Winter Gardens.

Detailed plans show a three-storey building boasting exhibition space and a conference centre.

Tory opposition group leader Coun Tony Williams questioned whether the proposed complex would be big enough to host large-scale events. But council leader Coun Simon Blackburn accused him of having “a lack of vision.”

An artists impression of plans for a new conference centre in Blackpool

He added: “Once again Coun Williams makes a knee-jerk reaction without reading his paperwork.

“A 2,000-capacity venue, alongside the existing facilities at the Winter Gardens will create one of the biggest conference complexes in the North West and the UK.”

The executive also agreed to a £4.5m council loan towards the redevelopment of the fire-ravaged Palm Beach and Bourne Hotels on Bourne Crescent, South Promenade, to pave the way for a new Hilton by Hampton Hotel.

Create Construction was granted planning permission last August for the 130-bedroom scheme.

There is already £8m committed to the scheme, including £1m from Create and £7m from a PLC pension fund.

But there is still a funding shortfall in the financing of the plans.

The council loan will fill this gap, ensuring the full investment can go ahead.