'Blackpool has everything' - John Robb backs arena plans and City of Culture bid but wants new university

As Blackpool stands on the brink of an exciting new chapter, one of its biggest champions believes the town ‘has everything it takes’ to become the UK's City of Culture 2029.

Blackpool-born musician and author John Robb, frontman of The Membranes, told The Gazette he is backing the town's ambitious bid, insisting “Blackpool has everything it needs. I can't see why we can't win it."

Through arts and culture, major entertainment ideas, improved public spaces and investment in local people, the resort is laying the foundations for long-term change and it’s biggest and most exciting challenge is the culture bid.

“I know I am bias because I’m from the town, but Blackpool has everything you need to be a city of culture, it’s already changing, things are going on in the town like the multiversity, the great job they have done round the train station, I love that new tram stop and people were complaining about it thinking it only connected to the prom.

“But it goes to Fleetwood and Starr Gate, any other town with trams, they link up to the train station. That’s the whole point, it’s a transport network, perfect. Having a City of Culture would highlight what’s already done but would spark a future. It’s a line in the sand, literally and now we are going forward.

“It will change the narrative. People say ‘oh it’s a bit rough and ready’ but they’ll come here and say ‘wow, I haven’t been here for 30 years’ and we can tell them what’s happening our ideas. For me, it’s reconnecting and that Blackpool is an innovative and forward thinking town.”

Fylde Coast Responsible Network conference

John had been speaking at the Fylde Coast Responsible Network conference, at Bloomfield Road, home to his beloved Blackpool FC, about business sustainability, a networking event focusing on how to beat rising energy costs, efficiency and how to run a tighter, more resilient operation.

He said: I always think with these kind of things, it’s not about you, it's about people coming to the room to hear other people talking and it’s actually the bit afterwards that's where it matters, where people all meet each other. It's networking and things come together from networks, sparking things.

“It's that connectivity, it’s super important.”

From its bold bid to become UK City of Culture 2029 to plans for a major new concert arena capable of attracting world-class performers, the resort is embracing a vision that stretches far beyond its famous seafront.

Add to that the £20 million Pride of Place investment, designed to breathe new life into communities and create opportunities for residents the message is clear – Blackpool is investing in its next chapter.

“Blackpool should have an arena,” said John, “because it has got a lot of cheap hotels, it’s the perfect weekend away. A Saturday night gig here and people stay for the weekend - it’s really good for the town, it would be amazing, I can’t see why anybody would be against that.

“They’ll never build an arena like the Winter Gardens, that’s beautiful but if they built an arena like the AO Arena in Manchester, it’s a functional space, with a great sound system and it should be like that. It should incorporate Blackpool though, I like the one in Liverpool where you can see its skyline and the Mersey so you feel like you are in the city .

“I don’t know what the sight line would be in Blackpool but you should be able to see the Tower, the Illuminations and the sea, so you don’t feel like you are in any old arena. So if you’re an American touring band, you’d feel like you were in a unique place, which Blackpool is.”

For a town that has spent decades battling economic challenges while remaining one of Britain's best-loved destinations, the momentum is feeling different, the wheels of change seem to be turning.

We asked John what was one thing he would like to see happen in Blackpool in the next five years or so. As well as winning the City of Culture bid and an arena, he said Blackpool should have a university.

“The multiversity is not enough. I've always thought Blackpool should have a university. It must be the biggest town in the country without a university. I don't understand why there's not one here. Stoke's got two, Lancaster's got one. And people are probably too snobby to put one in Blackpool. But if you're a student, Blackpool would be a great place to go to university.

“You are by the seaside and it's got a bit of a saucy little reputation. It's a great place to be young and do crazy stuff, which is what you should be doing when you're 19, isn't it? I think City of London has got everything, it's big, but Blackpool should have at least one of everything like all the things you need to be in a modern town.”

Rather than relying solely on nostalgia, Blackpool is combining its rich heritage with fresh ideas, cultural ambition and significant investment in a bid to reshape how it is seen by visitors, businesses and, perhaps most importantly, those who call it home.

Each project has its own goals, but together they tell a much bigger story – one of regeneration, confidence and a determination to build a stronger future...

City of Culture Bid 2029

In January of this year, the council revealed it has been invited to submit a bid to be the UK City of Culture 2029.

While not technically a city, Blackpool is the 45th largest place in the UK- with a population of 141,500 and a visitor economy valued at £2bn- and the competition was opened up to non cities in 2025.

In March, it was then revealed that Blackpool had been named as one of nine longlisted places for the prestigious accolade, going up against Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Swindon and Wrexham.

Winning the title would secure £10 million in government funding to launch a year-long celebration of arts and culture, driving massive tourism and job creation.

It would be perfect timing too. The 2029 designation directly aligns with the 150th anniversary of the Blackpool Illuminations. It also marks 135 years since the opening of both the Blackpool Tower and the Blackpool Grand Theatre.

Pride in Place

The Government’s multi-billion-pound Pride in Place Programme has heavily invested in Blackpool to tackle deprivation, restore high streets, and create new homes.

Backed by the local Blackpool Pride of Place Partnership, this long-term strategy aims to revitalise neighborhoods, with targeted investments in areas like Layton and Grange Park.

With Pride in Place, residents, businesses, and community groups can deliver real improvements that matter to local people. This is led by local people and backed by the UK government.

Communities will be able to spend the funding on what matters most to them - from improvements to pavements and high streets to investing in culture and green spaces.

Blackpool Arena

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 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.

Talbot Gateway & Multiversity

A multi-phase regeneration around Blackpool North train station. This includes the recently completed £100 million Civil Service Hub, a new £45 million Ministry of Defence office building, opening in 2027, and the new £65 million carbon-neutral Multiversity higher-education campus, expected in 2028.

Blackpool Central

A £300 million leisure development just off the Golden Mile.

It is the largest single investment in the town in over a century, featuring a Heritage Quarter, an event square for live performances, new indoor entertainment centres, and a multi-storey car park.

Central Housing Regeneration Project

Backed by a £90.4 million government funding package, the council is undertaking a large-scale renewal of the Central Drive and Revoe area. This project involves demolishing up to 300 poor-quality properties to clear the way for 230 modern, energy-efficient homes, new shops, and improved green spaces.

Silicon Sands

An ambitious digital and tech campus focused on the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone. It is reaching major milestones in the construction of its first data centres to transform the town into a national digital hub.