Architect Joe believes in Blackpool's future with multiversity the next big project

Joe, 39, has been chosen to be part of a group of experts working on a design concept for a new multiversity proposed for Blackpool town centre.

The scheme, which has been allocated a grant of up to £10m as part of the resort’s Town Deal, will hopefully see a state-of-the-art new campus built as part of Blackpool and the Fylde College.

Joseph Boniface Architects, whose offices are in Caunce Street, and Freckleton-based chartered building consultancy Leeming Associates, will support the project led by Manchester firm Hawkins\Brown.

For former St Mary’s School pupil Joe, it is a unique opportunity to contribute to a key development in Blackpool’s future.

He said: “The council has asked for an aspirational building and I’m absolutely confident we can deliver on that.

“Hawkins\Brown has a track record in delivering this kind of project and have already worked on a number of university projects.

“For me to be part of the multiversity team, helping develop such a key scheme for my home town is a huge opportunity.

“It’s one of a number of key developments happening in the town centre which can only be positive for Blackpool.”

Although a site has yet to be pinned down for the multiversity, it is expected to be part of the fourth phase of the Talbot Gateway and will see the relocation of the Park Road campus of Blackpool and the Fylde College.

Courses will include cutting edge technical classes with people able to take up learning at any stage of their life to learn new skills, or improve their existing skill set.

Artificial Intelligence and data, an ageing society, clean growth and the future of mobility will all be part of the curriculum delivered in partnership with Lancaster University.

Joe said: “The idea is that people can go back and upskill throughout their lives.

“Our initial work will involve in-depth site analysis. I’ve worked with all the other partners on the project before, and I hope to bring local knowledge to the team.”

Student behaviour and their spending habits will be part of the analysis to ensure the campus brings an economic boost to the town centre, as well as providing a top notch educational facility.

Joe studied and worked in London and Manchester before returning to Blackpool and setting up his own architecture firm in 2010, later taking over offices which previously housed his dad’s accountancy practice.

Achievements to date include working with the council on its Quality Corridors project, specifically on the property improvement grant scheme which has seen areas such as Topping Street and Church Street transformed.

He said: “There are seven or eight transformational projects going on in Blackpool at the moment, and I think the multiversity will be another one.

“It’s a catalyst for regeneration, and there are a number of significant catalysts happening at the moment.

“It’s good to see Blackpool being teed up for a sustainable future. The high street is changing and Blackpool is not alone in experiencing that.

“The amount of projects on the go that will bring people into Blackpool is hugely positive.

“But these things don’t happen overnight. If you compare Manchester in 1999 pre-Commonweath Games with 10 years later, it’s a different city so it takes time.

“The public sector has to lead on investment, or else the private sector won’t have the confidence to invest.”

While it’s too early to predict the design of the new multiversity, Joe believes “architecture should always be of its time”, which may give a clue as to the direction which will be taken.

Hawkins\Brown’s recent schemes include the University of Manchester Schuster Annexe and Cardiff Innovation Central University which both showcase futuristic ideas.

Katie Tonkinson, partner and head of Studio North at Hawkins\Brown, is certainly looking forward to the challenge of creating something unique for Blackpool.

She said: “The brief to create an iconic building for the new university campus and student quarter in Blackpool town centre really appealed to us.”

Hopefully when it comes to fruition, it will be another eye-catching piece of the regeneration jigsaw.

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