Former Blackpool care home transformed to luxury holiday villa

Now the seven bedroom property has been given a complete overhaul to create a stylish four-bedroom holiday let.

Caxton Lodge on Caxton Avenue, Bispham, also has two downstairs sitting areas, a large dining/kitchen area and summer house.

Government worker Lesley, who is involved in the business with her partner and brother-in-law, said: “We had a look at what Blackpool has to offer, which is mainly b&bs and hotels.

“There are some single holiday lets but not that sleep up to 12 people.

“So we bought the property in August 2016, and took the first booking in May 2017. Last year was really good and bookings are already really strong for this year.”

Every room was stripped back to its bare brick before being redecorated, old sinks were ripped out and the floorboards were replaced.

A lift shaft had to be taken out to create the new kitchen and a patio and summer house were put in outside.

Lesley said: “Basically we had to take it back to its shell.

“We used professional trades people for a lot of the work, but also did a lot ourselves. I tiled one of the bathrooms myself.

“We’ve renovated properties before but this is the first time we’ve gone into the holiday industry.

“I think it is something different for Blackpool, and it’s great for large families who want to stay together.

“For example we had a family here for a 70th birthday celebration.

“I definitely think we’ve bought something to Blackpool which it didn’t have before.”

Claire Smith, president of hoteliers group StayBlackpool, said the investment was adding to the Blackpool product.

She said: “We have lots of hotels and b&bs, but this is something extra, and investment like this shows there is confidence in the town.”