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Council defends loan to fun park
BLACKPOOL Council today defended the loan of £5m to the Pleasure Beach for its new Nickelodeon Land.
The Gazette revealed yesterday how the local authority had made the business loan to the fun park.
The Pleasure Beach has unveiled plans to develop six-acres of its South Promenade site into a new family attraction, in association with the children's TV channel Nickelodeon.
The loan has been questioned by opposition leader Coun Simon Blackburn who said the money could have been used to protect under threat town hall jobs.
Around 80 staff are set to lose their jobs as part of Government cuts.
However, council leader Coun Peter Callow said the loan would help create 274 tourism jobs, a major new 14-ride attraction which would pull in visitors and it would not cost taxpayers a penny.
He said: "As a town we need to keep changing and introducing new attractions that will make visitors come to Blackpool, stay in Blackpool and keep coming back.
"A new attraction of this scale is going to have a huge impact on visitor numbers and that's what we are all about. Not only will Nickelodeon Land benefit the Pleasure Beach but the whole visitor economy of Blackpool.
"By loaning this money we are taking action to boost the economy of the whole town. In these tough economic times we need local jobs for local people.
"As more visitors come to Blackpool hoteliers will benefit, taxi drivers, restaurants, shops, everyone.
"This is a hugely exciting time with new attractions planned for Blackpool Tower, Sandcastle Waterpark and now the Pleasure Beach.
"I must stress to local residents that this is a commercial loan, it will not cost Blackpool tax payers a single penny. Pleasure Beach, Blackpool will be paying all the money back, with interest."
But Labour group opposition leader Coun Simon Blackburn claims the council have neglected their own workers – choosing to support private businesses.
He said: "I am a massive fan of the Pleasure Beach, but this is the wrong decision.
"I have spoken to many council workers who received redundancy letters this week, and they can't understand why the council can give 7.5m to two thriving businesses, but can't safeguard their jobs."
In June, The Gazette revealed Blackpool Council will loan Sandcastle Water Park 2.5m for two new slides.
Earlier this year the council announced they were forced to cut up to 200 jobs, though this was later cut back to 80 .
Coun Blackburn added: "The Pleasure Beach provides seasonal work, not permanent, whereas full-time, public sector staff will keep the town centre alive during the winter months.
"We are a council, not a bank, and the council needs to realise this."
It is hoped Nickelodeon Land will be built and open by April.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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