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Champagne reception for Oyston
THE owners of Blackpool Football Club have unveiled their latest investment in the resort – a multi-million new hotel.
The club has come under fire for not forging ahead with the new South Stand but yesterday owner Owen Oyston held a champagne reception to mark the near completion of the 124-room hotel on the site of the former Tangerine Club on Bloomfield Road.
It will be operated by the Travelodge chain who are due to take over the building on April 11 and open the hotel in May.
Mr Oyston hailed the hotel as his first venture into the holiday accommodation sector. He has planning permission for a second hotel within the South Stand along with offices.
He said: "It's the first hotel I have built and I hope it's one of the best in Blackpool and that it will support the tourist industry and act as a centrepiece to the Central Corridor.
Spectacle
"At night when it's lit up, it's an absolute spectacle."
The football club, run by Mr Oyston's son Karl along with Latvian investor Valeri Belokon, also has planning permission to build a pub/restaurant but further investment will not take place until tenants are in place.
Mr Oyston said: "We have some tenants lined up but nothing has so far been signed. Karl and the directors are doing marvellously this year and we are hoping we can stay in the Championship."
Coronation Street actor Bill Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, was among the guests and gave Blackpool's regeneration his seal of approval.
He said: "I can feel there is a new vitality. The gateway to the resort, the hotel and the football club doing well is all part of a wider scene. Blackpool is a beautiful place with everything to offer. This is a very promising start."
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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
