Blackpool Council seeking loan to fix lighting issues at famous Illuminations base
“The department has now reached a point where the lighting is no longer serviceable.”
Blackpool’s Illuminations are famous the world over but the council is ironically looking to borrow £90,000 to provide lighting for the building where they are stored and repaired.
The Illuminations Service has been based at the Lightworks building, on Amy Johnson Way, since 2010, after moving from the old depot on Rigby Road.
The council is also seeking a loan of an additional £230,000 to purchase vehicles and plant for the Illuminations Service.
The authority plans to borrow £320,000 for the two projects combined, in addition to interest payments of £43,250 for a total bill of £363,250.
The proposals are that this will be paid in installments over a period between 2027 and 2036.
This arrangement is what is known as ‘prudential borrowing’, a self-regulated system that allows local authorities to borrow money for long-term capital projects without needing central government consent.
Blackpool Council’s Executive Committee, which is the main decision-making group responsible for the day-to-day management, policies, and services, will meet on Monday (September 14) to consider the proposals.
What report says
A report to the committee states: “The Illuminations Service has been based at Lightworks since 2010 and has been maintaining and servicing the lighting in the depot since then.
“The department has now reached a point where the lighting is no longer serviceable, so the department has had to look at a replacement program, as parts for the non-LED lighting are now no longer available.
“It has also experienced emergency lighting batteries failing and again, due to the age of the equipment, replacement units are no longer available.
“The Illuminations Service needs adequate lighting in Lightworks that meets the required standards and legislation.”
Additionally, the service needs equipment and vehicles to carry out its work.
The report added: “For the maintaining and assembling the Illuminations Service has two scissor lifts, access platforms.
“These have been regularly serviced and maintained for several years. Due to their age and the non-availability of spare parts these two scissor lifts have had to be removed from service.
“This means that the Illuminations Service is having to hire in two replacement units and is incurring the additional hire costs.
“For several years the Illuminations Service has had one panel van on long term hire. The Illuminations Service has identified it will be much more cost effective to purchase a second-hand vehicle.”