Chariots of the Gods phase one: What is being done first in Blackpool?

The first phase of the ambitious project is due to be open in spring 2024.
How the Flying Theatre experience  could look with  people in the moving seats and the huge projectionHow the Flying Theatre experience  could look with  people in the moving seats and the huge projection
How the Flying Theatre experience could look with people in the moving seats and the huge projection

Once the existing car park is freed up, construction will begin on the main attraction, the “flying theatre”.

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REVEALED: “Flying theatre” to land in Blackpool in ambitious £300m Central devel...

Developers say the Chariots of the Gods theme will enable a variety of spectacular scenarios to be created.

How the Flying Theatre experience  could look with  people in the moving seats and the huge projectionHow the Flying Theatre experience  could look with  people in the moving seats and the huge projection
How the Flying Theatre experience could look with people in the moving seats and the huge projection
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The ride will use a huge domed screen and cutting edge projectors, plus special effects such as wind, fog, water and scent to make visitors feel they are flying.

Families can also visit Blackpool Central’s Virtual Reality Experience. Developers say it will be the most advanced VR experience on an epic scale with free roaming multi-player capability, body tracking and motion sensors for playing games.

There will also be a Thrills and Gaming Zone – a themed games area with rides, arcade games, laser tag, bounce park and bumper cars.

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Another part will be Adventure Land. This will be an indoor family entertainment centre with a series of physical and mental challenges from hang gliding to rope courses and interactive climbing walls.

There will also be Greatest Mysteries - the world’s first multimedia exhibition exploring extraterrestrial influences following on from the Chariots of the Gods theme.

The final piece in the attraction jigsaw will be the Alien Diner.

This will be a themed bar and restaurant concept with “roller coaster” service – meals being delivered via a miniature coaster to the table – and an hourly special effects show.

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Also planned for Phase One is an artisan food hall with up to 30 outlets and an event square with a stage and video wall for open air event and concerts for around 1,000 people.

There will also be a 150 bedroom hotel on the Promenade frontage.

Phase Two

Once the first phase of the new £300m Blackpool Central development is completed – with the “flying theatre” and other attractions open – two more phases are planned.

But council officials said the final pieces of the jigsaw may be dependent on the success of phase one and any changes in the economy.

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The second part of the scheme is set to include apartments on the eastern edge of the site where the courts are currently.

The courts are due to move now that the Bonny Street Police Station has closed following the relocation of the force to the new West Division Police Headquarters at Gerry Richardson Way, off Clifton Road near the motorway.

Although the council is in the Ministry of Justice’s hands, the existing magistrates’ court building is increasingly becoming unfit for purpose and a new site is being considered.

A second hotel comprising 250 bedrooms is planned for the corner of the site across Seasiders Way in the area where the King Edward Pub and Grade II-listed cinema are today.

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It is hoped the extra visitors generated by Blackpool Central will allow the two hotels to be built without taking too much trade from existing B&Bs and hotels.

Existing apartments in The King Edward Cinema area are currently empty.

Phase two would also incorporate further food and drink outlets and additional landscaped public open space.

Phase Three

Phase three of the Blackpool Central Project will proceed later.

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It will involve the southern end of the site near Chapel Street and will include further leisure attractions yet to be determined, residential apartments and possibly a music venue and nightclub.

It is thought that there might be a possibility of developing the Blackpool Central project further on to the Promenade instead of just the single hotel on the corner of New Bonny Street.

However, the existing businesses such as the Sea Life Centre and Madame Tussauds would have to be incorporated or moved to new locations which might be cost prohibitive.