'I'd like to see the Blackpool Central site hosting bands, solo artists, DJs, beer and gin festivals'

A venue to host music acts and festivals, a transport hub and even a medical centre to take some of the pressure off Victoria Hospital are just some of the ideas the public are suggest for the controversial Blackpool Central site.

A major step forward in the £300 million project Blackpool Central project to breath new life into what was once the location of the Central Station looks set to finally be revealed by the resort’s council in the New Year.

That is when the chosen developer is set to be unveiled, followed by some of the major project ideas expected to follow.

Last month the council insisted it had not ruled out the prospect of a top, 20,000 seat arena for the town, despite the proposals not being explicitly included in an update on its ambitious Blackpool Central proposals.

One Gazette reader suggested: “Use the money to benefit all of Blackpool, like the forgotten streets behind the seaside hotels - things that benefit all age groups that live here would enjoy.

“I'd like to see a venue that could have bands, solo artists, DJS, beer and gin festivals, MMA and boxing fights. Make Blackpool more than a tourist attraction.”

Another supported the arena idea, saying: “We just need a massive arena for concerts and events. Open Blackpool Airport and town will get busy again”.

Adam Kean came up with a variation on the venue plan, saying: “Why don’t they just turf it with grass for the time being with benches? Also, it would make a great outdoor arena like Scarborough, with the tower as a backdrop, for summer concerts.”

Neil Wilby said: “It’s such a great shame that Blackpool Central station was closed. A retail/leisure development with a functioning public transport hub, along the lines of Leeds or King's Cross would have been genuinely exciting.”

Doris Dayze said: “What about a medical centre to take some of the strain off the Vic?”, while Will Davies wondered if a retail park might be the answer.

Pawel Mizstal came up with a radical plan. "Forget the £300 million leisure scheme, what Blackpool Central really needs on the site of the old police station is a Judge Dredd Sector House.

“With crime and anti-social behaviour on the rise, standard policing just isn't cutting it anymore. We don't need years of development procurement or another multi-storey car park—we need the ultimate street judge.”

But Gilly Brook Adams says she will believe a new development for the site when she sees it.

“I’ve been hearing of these great plans for the Central site at the bottom of my road since I bought by B&B 19 years ago,” she said.

“First it was the casino and that fell through, then a couple more plans and developers came along with ideas and plans and nothing happened.

“In the 19 years, all that has happened is they’ve built another car park on the site, so when I see it happening I’ll believe it then.”