Council update as new fares are agreed for Blackpool's famous seafront landaus

The price to ride one of Blackpool’s famous landaus is set to increase.

It’s ten years since a review of the fares for of a ride along the promenade in a horse drawn hackney carriage and at Blackpool Council’s Public Protection Sub-Committee, councillors agreed a new set of fares.

The new structure will see an extra £5 to the fare - £25 for each 15 minutes outside the Illuminations and £30 for each 15 minutes when the Illuminations were on - for four people.

Carrying more than four and up to six people during the Illumination season means a price hike of £5 to £35 for each 15 minutes.

One of the proposers for the new price list, Colin Sinderson was at the meeting and he explained the proposal had been supported by the majority of licensed drivers and operators.

He also gave some background around the increases in costs affecting the trade both those general costs and specific to horses such as the costs of farriery and feed.

In response to questions from the committee, Mr Sinderson believed that the market would accept the price increase given that price had not risen for a number of years.

A council report said: “The Public Protection Sub-Committee considered a proposal to change the structure of maximum fares that can be charged by horse drawn Hackney Carriages which had been received from members of the trade.

“The Sub-Committee noted that fares had not been reviewed since September 2016.

“The proposal was clarified that new fare structure would be £25 for each 15 minutes outside the Illuminations and £30 for each 15 minutes when the Illuminations were switched.”

Blackpool landaus are iconic, traditional horse-drawn hackney carriages that offer leisurely rides along the Blackpool Promenade.

The licensed fleet consists of 44 carriages operating from ranks on the seafront, split between classic designs and novelty fairy tale and Cinderella-style coaches.