Blackpool Council reveal procurement plans to find new developer for Blackpool Central site amid arena hopes

Blackpool Council have outlined procurement plans to find a new developer for the Blackpool Central site.

With a procurement exercise to find a developer and investor being recommended to Blackpool Council’s Executive at its next meeting on 14 September, Cllr Mark Smith, the council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, described the update as ‘important step towards bringing a new and exciting leisure attraction’ to the town.

However, the council have made no explicit reference to plans to build a new arena on the Blackpool Central site. The concept of a new Blackpool Arena has received vocal public support, backing from Blackpool South MP Chris Webb, and a £20m commitment from the government to explore the development of a new indoor arena on the Blackpool Central site.

Blackpool Council said that the procurement recommendations follow the decision to appoint leading marketing consultants Newmark HDH and theleisureway in October 2025, who they say have been working with the council to promote the development potential for the site - both nationally and internationally - at major property events, including MIPIM and UKREiiF.

According to the council, if approved, the procurement process is expected to begin next month, with the successful development partner expected to be appointed in spring 2027. When asked specifically how a procurement process to find a new developer for the site would impact plans for a purported new indoor arena, the following statement was provided:

“This next stage is to look for and choose a developer/investor partner and this must come before the details of any development,” said Cllr Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council. “It will also be important that any development delivers year-round use and that the project is viable.

“We have seen a number of early ideas come forward but all proposals will need to meet these important criteria and then must be robustly tested, as we cannot support something that puts a burden on the council tax payers of Blackpool.”

What is Blackpool Central?

Blackpool Central is a 10-acre site located in the shadow of The Blackpool Tower, in the heart of the town centre. The site benefits from a prime location, high footfall and strong transport links, with direct road access from the M55 motorway and access via Blackpool Tower tram stop.

It opens onto Blackpool Promenade and the seafront, as well as the resort’s main area for major events including Blackpool Illuminations, Blackpool Air Show and the World Fireworks Championship Blackpool.

The site includes a 1,306-space multi-storey car park, which opened in 2024. The demolition of the former police station and courts building has also created a shovel-ready site ahead of future development.

Recent upgrades have been carried out at the King Edwards properties on Central Drive, including improvements to the façades and windows. The work has improved the appearance and security of the buildings and forms part of the council’s commitment to maintain the site until further development works progress.

The development of Blackpool Central also supports the council’s wider ambitions for Central Drive, including a major housing-led regeneration scheme to improve housing quality and create stronger communities, the construction of more social housing at Foxhall Village, a new community sports village at Blackpool Football Club and improvements to Revoe Park.

Arena plans

Calls for a new state-of-the-art indoor arena at the Blackpool Central site have been spearheaded by Blackpool South MP Chris Webb, who started a petition backing the proposal in November last year, arguing that a town aspiring to be a cultural destination and bidding to become UK City of Culture 2029 should have a major venue at its heart.

Thousands of local residents have since signed the petition, backing calls for government investment in the new arena project. Meanwhile, Mr Webb has been making the case to ministers that Blackpool deserves ambitious investment to strengthen its economy, create jobs and cement its position as one of the UK's leading entertainment destinations.

The proposal has also received backing from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, who has committed £20m to fund the next stage of work. The investment is not for a feasibility study, but represents Government commitment towards the construction of a new arena if it’s a viable option for the Blackpool Central site.

Last month, a major building consultancy has unveiled new images of a proposed 20,000-seat arena for Blackpool, as hopes continue locally that a major entertainment venue could become part of the resort’s future regeneration.

The Phoenix Arena Blackpool is an independently-developed proposal by Carters Building Consultancy, exploring how a flexible, world-class venue could support Blackpool Central and attract major events throughout the year.

The proposed arena would be designed to accommodate a wide range of events, from international music concerts and arena tours to indoor sport, boxing, basketball, netball and esports. It could also host conferences, exhibitions, awards ceremonies, television productions, business conventions, community events and family entertainment.

‘More reasons for people to visit Blackpool’

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, said on the procurement exercise update: “This is another important step towards bringing a new and exciting leisure attraction to Blackpool.

"The site offers a unique opportunity to deliver a major mixed-use leisure-led development in the heart of the town, creating even more reasons for people to visit Blackpool throughout the year and helping make Blackpool better for residents, businesses and future generations.

“The work carried out to date has generated strong interest in the site, and this next stage will help us find the right development partner who shares our ambition to deliver something truly exception. We look forward to seeing the opportunity progress over the coming months.”