Blackpool investment recognised by heritage chiefs

The town’s heritage guardians paid tribute to investment which is preserving classic architecture as well as revitalising key areas.

Pubs the Brew Room on Church Street and The Little Black Pug Bar on Talbot Road each won awards.

Businessman Robert Wynne re-opened the former Blue Room as 1887 The Brew Room last December after ploughing £350,000 into upgrading the venue which had been closed since 2015.

He said: “We were really pleased to win an award from the Civic Trust who are the guardians of Blackpool’s heritage and are really dedicated to the town.

“That’s exactly where the Brew Room fits in. It’s a really beautiful building and we worked very hard to save it.

“Hopefully it will now be safe for another 100 years to come.”

The Little Black Pug has seen a former school house which dates back to 1898 become one of the resort’s newest bars boasting a beer garden at the front.

Other winners included Blackpool Housing Company (BHC) for the conversion of derelict hotels on Albert Road.

The Malibu had operated as a notorious party hotel until it closed at the end of the 2015 season, while the Astoria never recovered from a blaze in 2013.

A huge refurbishment programme as part of a £26m 10-year programme to transform Blackpool’s failing hotels into affordable homes, saw the first tenants move in in February.

BHC managing director David Galvin said: “It is fantastic to receive the Civic Trust award for Albert Road.

“We are very proud of this scheme and the positive contribution it is now having, providing high quality homes following our investment.”

Another winner was the Lingerie Lounge on Queen Street, formerly known as Body Talk.

When Chrissy Thomas Griffin took over the four-storey building after the previous owner retired, she and her business partner undertook a major renovation project.

More than 200 guests attended the awards ceremony held at the Viva cabaret venue in Blackpool, which itself also won an award for its recently opened diner.

Chairman of Blackpool Civic Trust Joan Humble said: “The evening was a very enjoyable way to celebrate individual and group achievement in Blackpool.

“I am pleased that the deputy mayor and deputy mayoress Coun Gary Coleman and Coun Debbie Coleman, could join us, together with both Blackpool MPs, Gordon Marsden and Paul Maynard.

“The awards highlight the good work of a variety of community groups and also businesses in Blackpool which are supporting our local economy.”

The winners in each category are:-

Junior School Environmental Shield: Park Community Academy

Senior School Environmental Shield: Park Community Academy

Blackpool Council Conservation Award: Blackpool Council Property Services Department and F. Parkinson Ltd

Community Award: The Friends of Stanley Park

Best Open Spaces: The Secret Garden, Watson Road Park

Best Night Time Economy: The Stanley Arm, Brew Room

Best New Housing Development: Blackpool Housing Company, for the conversion of properties at 114-120 Albert Road

Best Refurbishment: Winner, Thames Primary Academy

Judges special award: Donna’s Dream House

Highly Commended: The Little Black Pug Bar

Highly Commended: VIVA Diner

Best Shop Front: Highly Commended: Lingerie Lounge

Transforming Blackpool: World Fireworks Championship Blackpool

Special Award: The Street Angels