Bold vision to transform Blackpool revealed as £25m funding bid finalised

If successful, it would see cash unlocked to kickstart the extension of the Houndshill shopping centre, overhaul public transport in the resort and rennovate the Abingdon Street Market, among other proposals. Town leaders are due to submit their plans to the government this month.

The council says the scheme will help to address some of the major challenges faced by Blackpool town centre such as high vacancy levels and reducing levels of footfall, transforming the town centre into a more attractive to place to live, work, shop, be entertained and visit.

The bid development has been overseen by the Future High Streets Fund Board chaired by Peter Cole former chief investment officer of property firm Hammerson and made up of Blackpool business and community partners.

Mr Cole said: “The town centre is at the heart of our community and we need to ensure it remains an attractive place where people want to be, to enjoy, to shop, to work and in the future live, ensuring businesses grow and thrive.

"Our plans are ambitious but ambition and innovation is what keeps Blackpool strong, resilient and willing to evolve.”

Among the 11 projects listed in the plans for the resort are a scheme to improve broadband connections and improving the experience for visitors to Blackpool.

The board has also secured additional public funding of £18.4m and £16.1m in private cash to bring the vision to life if the £25m bid is approved.

The Future High Streets Fund is a government scheme launched in 2018 as part of the £6.5bn Towns Fund designed initially to support and fund 50 local areas’ plans to make their high streets and town centres fit for the future and to respond and adapt to change more easily.

In August 2019 the scheme was expanded to include 50 more areas, Blackpool being one of them.