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Ballroom could open by weekend
HOPES are high Blackpool's iconic Empress Ballroom could be re-opened as early as this weekend.
Bosses at the famous venue were forced to cancel a show by rockers Enter Shikari after small pieces of plaster began to fall from the ballroom's ornate ceiling.
Saturday's drama happened during the St Albans band's soundcheck – leaving 4,000 fans disappointed.
Scaffolding is now being put up and structural engineers have been called in to examine the problem.
But Michael Williams, operations director of Leisure Parcs which owns the Winter Gardens complex, says scheduled performances by bands like The Courteeners, Biffy Clyro and Florence and the Machine will not be affected.
He described the investigation into the problems as "purely precautionary".
A hairdressing competition, scheduled for the venue yesterday, has had to be moved to other rooms within the venue and a brass band competition, scheduled for this weekend, may now be held in the Opera House.
Mr Williams said: "We were hosting a hairdressing competition and were able to relocate that.
"Scaffolding is going up today and structural engineers are coming in to investigate.
"A brass band event is scheduled for this weekend.
"We hope it will be OK by then but if not it will be moved to the Opera House."
FOR MORE ON THIS STORY SEE TUESDAY'S GAZETTE
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Weather for Blackpool
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
