Blackpool Frasers store including Flannels and Sports Direct is already proving a boost to the Houndshill Shopping Centre - meeting is told

Blackpool Council bought the Houndshill in 2019 for £48m but faced a setback when the Debenhams anchor store closed in May 2021.

Frasers opened its new store in November after taking over the unit, with Sports Direct, Evans Cycles and Game among the brands on offer, with a separate Flannels store next door.

Deputy council leader Coun Ivan Taylor told a meeting of the full council: “The council acquired the Houndshill Centre in 2019 and we had a lot of worry about it with Debenhams closing, and all the consequences of the depression we have been through.

“Fortunately and due to good organisation, we then got the Fraser Group in and their associated companies and that’s absolutely fantastic.

“It is a great asset and I’m told their turnover is greater than they had anticipated.

“We have got the cinema, which is one of the top ones in the country coming along in the spring and now an important restaurant will be part of it.

“I think we as a council have done very well and I want to thank the officers.”

Coun Michele Scott said she agreed the arrival of Frasers had been a positive move, but warned there were still some empty units in the Houndshill.

She said: “It has improved that area of the shopping centre, but when you arrive through the Victoria Street entrance, opposite Marks and Spencer, there is a large empty unit and on the left hand side there are empty units between Timpsons and Superdrug.

“And it spoils it if you come in from that entrance. I’m hoping you are going to tell me there are plans for that area but in the meantime could we not have that area smartened up.”

The council purchased land on Tower Street to build an extension to the Houndshill in 2021, with the Backlot Cinema and diner due to open next spring.

However uncertainty remains over the future use of the part of the ground floor which had been due to be operated by Wilko’s before the collapse of the national chain.