Council update on historic Central Drive building amid major Blackpool Central plans

A facelift to the historic King Edward building on Central Drive has been completed as part of a wider, council-led scheme to regenerate the area.

Upgrades to the building include improvements to the façades and windows, tidying up the appearance and removing graffiti. The updates have also improved the security of the building while future plans for the site are developed.

The area around the King Edward building, known as Blackpool Central, has been targeted by the council for a major regeneration scheme which would include new housing, a leisure centre and, potentially, a new arena.

A spokesperson for Blackpool Council said: “The building forms part of Blackpool Central, a leisure-led development site located at the heart of the town centre.

“Blackpool Council's Executive is being recommended to continue with a procurement process to find an investment or development partner for the 10-acre Blackpool Central site at its next meeting.”

Searches to find developers and investors for the major project are being recommended to Blackpool Council’s Executive at its next meeting on 14 September, with Cllr Mark Smith, the council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, describing the plans as an ‘important step towards bringing a new and exciting leisure attraction’ to the town.

The council has not explicitly mentioned plans for a new Blackpool Arena. However, backing from local MPs like Chris Webb and a £20m commitment from the government means that a new indoor venue could still be on the cards.

Blackpool Council’s spokesperson added: “The development of the Blackpool Central site also supports our wider ambitions to make Central Drive better, including a major housing-led regeneration scheme to improve housing quality and create stronger communities, building more social housing at Foxhall Village, a new community sports village at Blackpool Football Club and improvements to Revoe Park.”