Contracts are signed for the future of the Holiday Inn in Blackpool with its Marco's New York Italian restaurant

Blackpool Council and Muse Developments, development partners on Blackpool’s flagship Talbot Gateway regeneration project has agreed with the hotel management company RBH, Holiday Inn and Black & White Hospitality (owner of Marco Pierre White’s restaurant chain) for the resort’s New Holiday Inn Hotel.

The new four-star hotel, which is scheduled to open in Summer 2022, will boast 144 bedrooms plus Marco’s New York Italian restaurant and create up to 50 new full time jobs. The restaurant will offer “friendly, casual dining”.

Total investment in Phase Two Talbot Gateway is £34.6m. The wider regeneration project for Blackpool includes retail units and improved public transport links, with a new tram terminal, all within the Talbot Gateway central business district.

RBH has an existing portfolio of 45 branded and independent hotels across the UK and already includes Blackpool’s Imperial Hotel.

Andrew Robb, chief business development officer at RBH, said: ““It has been great to work with the team at Blackpool Council over the past few years, seeing first-hand the passion

and dedication they have for their town.

"As the flagship commercial development for Blackpool, Holiday Inn will form the centrepiece of the Talbot Gateway development’s second phase, transforming an important gateway to the town. We are delighted to be working with our partners at Inter Continental Hotels Group on this project and can’t wait to get started.”

Coun Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Business Enterprise and Job Creation said, “Talbot Gateway continues to transform this key entrance into town and highlights the excellent commercial opportunities we have to offer.

“We’re delighted to welcome the Holiday Inn and Marco Pierre White brands to Blackpool and are confident that more internationally successful, recognised leisure businesses will follow in their wake.

"It raises the bar in terms of what people can come to expect from Blackpool’s leisure offer, providing a much needed boost to the year-round economy and creating sustainable long terms jobs for the local community.”

Nick Taplin, Chairman and CEO of Black and White Hospitality added: “This New York Italian is perfect for Blackpool. It represents friendly, casual dining and will give locals and visitors a

great new place to go out and eat. It’s not pretentious, it’s just good food, served in a great environment.”