Government commits £20m to explore new Blackpool Arena following MP Chris Webb’s campaign

The government has committed £20 million to explore the development of a new indoor arena at the Blackpool Central site, marking a major milestone in plans to create a world-class entertainment venue for the town.

Calls for a new state-of-the-art indoor arena in Blackpool have been spearheaded by Blackpool South MP Chris Webb, who started a petition backing the proposal in November last year, arguing that a town aspiring to be a cultural destination and bidding to become UK City of Culture 2029 should have a major venue at its heart.

Thousands of local residents have since signed the petition, backing calls for government investment in the new arena project. Meanwhile, Mr Webb has been making the case to ministers that Blackpool deserves ambitious investment to strengthen its economy, create jobs and cement its position as one of the UK's leading entertainment destinations.

Now, the proposal has received backing from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, who has committed £20m to fund the next stage of work. The investment is not for a feasibility study, but represents Government commitment towards the construction of a new arena if it’s a viable option for the Blackpool Central site.

Strengthening Blackpool’s position as the UK’s entertainment capital

Following the significant milestone of securing the £20m investment, which gives confidence to potential private sector partners who can help provide the remaining funding, Chris Webb MP said: "Last year, Blackpool Council asked residents for their views on the future of the Blackpool Central regeneration site.

“I made the case for a new multi-use arena, and since then thousands of local residents, local artists and industry experts have backed that vision.

“After making the case in Parliament, I’m delighted to have secured £20 million from the government to help explore the feasibility of an arena, unlock the opportunity and take the first major step towards seeing whether this exciting vision can become a reality.

“This funding gives Blackpool the opportunity to properly test whether the project is commercially viable and put us in the strongest possible position to attract an experienced private-sector partner with the expertise to develop, operate and programme a world-class venue.

“If an arena is to succeed, it must be the right arena, with the right operator and the right business case. That means bringing major concerts, sporting events, e-sports, comedy, exhibitions and live entertainment to Blackpool while complementing, not competing with, our existing attractions and cultural venues.

“Thousands of local residents, artists and industry experts believe an arena will be the missing piece in Blackpool’s regeneration. If the evidence supports that case, it has the potential to attract visitors throughout the year, support our hotels, restaurants and local businesses, create high-quality jobs and strengthen Blackpool’s position as the UK’s entertainment capital.

“For too long we’ve watched major events choose other towns and cities because we simply haven’t had the facilities to compete. This investment gives us the opportunity to explore whether we can change that.

“There is still a significant amount of work ahead. A detailed business case must demonstrate that an arena is financially viable, deliverable and represents the right investment for Blackpool. I welcome that process because it’s vital that any proposal is built on strong evidence and delivers lasting benefits for our town.

“I’m looking forward to working constructively with Blackpool Council, Blackpool Tourism Ltd, investors, industry partners and local residents to explore the opportunity. If the evidence demonstrates that an arena can succeed in Blackpool, I hope we can come together to deliver a transformational project that benefits our town for generations to come.”

Concerts, sport, comedy, exhibitions, and live entertainment

The proposed arena would become the centrepiece of the Blackpool Central regeneration project and attract major concerts, sporting events, comedy, exhibitions and live entertainment throughout the year. It would also bolster Blackpool’s UK City of Culture 2029 bid.

The government investment will fund the next stage of work, including assessing the arena's feasibility and developing a robust business case. It is also expected to put Blackpool in a stronger position to attract an experienced private-sector partner to develop, operate and programme.

If the project goes ahead, an arena is expected to bring significant economic and social benefits to the town, helping to drive year-round tourism, support existing cultural venues, increase overnight stays and boost hotels, restaurants, bars, retail businesses and attractions across Blackpool.

It could also create hundreds of construction jobs, permanent employment in venue operations and hospitality, and opportunities for apprenticeships and careers in events, tourism and the creative industries.

The arena could also act as a catalyst for wider private-sector investment around Blackpool Central, encouraging further regeneration and strengthening the town's position as the UK's entertainment capital.