Hunt is on for temporary ‘pop-up’ home for Blackpool's iconic and much-loved heritage trams

Blackpool Transport is on the lookout for a suitable location from which to temporarily display the town’s iconic and much-loved heritage fleet.

And the council-owned transport firm is keen to hear from anyone who has a suitable site for the venture.

The company’s long-term plan is still to restore the original tram shed at the Rigby Road depot, creating a refurbished home for the heritage fleet.

This will house operational trams and static displays in the original tramway workshop.

Work has also begun reconfiguring overhead line equipment (OLE) in the area in preparation for the demolition of the old workshop and refurbishment of the original tram shed.

However, in the meantime the pop-up plans are also a priority.

Lea Harrison, Blackpool Transport’s Managing Director, said: “While we’re undertaking works at our Rigby Road depot, we are continuing to search for a secure location for a ‘pop-up’ display for viewing the fleet and related memorabilia.

“Despite making extensive enquiries, we have not yet found anywhere suitable on the Fylde coast.

“We’re keen to hear from any individual or organisation in the area with premises that could provide a pop-up solution which could be developed into a temporary tourist attraction while helping to keep the trams in the public eye until they return to their permanent home.”

Blackpool Transport has also confirmed it will run its heritage trams in this year’s Lightpool Festival with static displays of two of the best-known trams.

The company is currently restoring and upgrading the much-loved Western Train and Rocket trams, with support from local transport groups and a team of volunteers.

The heritage fleet was part of the Tramtown museum, a visitor attraction at Rigby Road which proved popular with transport buffs and fans of the vintage trams, but which was forced to close permanently in April this year as some of the old buildings were deemed unsafe.

The closure and upkeep of the buildings became a subject of bitter dispute, with Tramtown volunteer and Blackpool Council Conservative leader, Cllr Paul Galley, claiming that the council could have done more to preserve the buildings.

But Cllr Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, says the heritage trams remain a major priority.

She said of the current position: “Blackpool Transport’s teams are working really hard behind-the-scenes to bring some of our heritage trams back to the seafront.

“They’re working as quickly as possible to do this, and I know they’re all so passionate about preserving this important part of our town’s cultural heritage.

“My commitment to the heritage trams remains the same – I want to see our wonderful trams out and being enjoyed by as many people as possible, so we are doing all we can to support Blackpool Transport in this.”