Anchorsholme Park will reopen next week after major United Utilities project

The park, which closed in 2015, was due to reopen last month, but due to the coronavirus pandemic it was postponed.

But on Monday, fencing will be taken down around the park and it will finally become accessible again - with social distancing measures in place.

Working with Blackpool Council’s parks team, ward councillors and the Friends of Anchorsholme Park, United Utilities’ investment improved the green space at the park.

A new café, outdoor seating areas and sports areas have been built, and a performing arts space will host events and activities in the future.

A new "fully inclusive" playground has also been built, to engage youngsters with special needs and disabilities.

The cafe will provide take-away food, drink and ice-creams, opening as a sit-in cafe when restrictions are lifted.

It will be open during the following times:

Mon-Fri: 9.30am-5.30pm mid March – mid October

Mon-Fri: 10am-3pm mid October – mid March

Weekends: 9.30am-6.30pm March – October

Coun Maria Kirkland, Blackpool Council cabinet member for Community Cohesion & Leisure, said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity to re-landscape Anchorsholme Park and introduce upgraded and new facilities. We thank everyone who has worked so hard on the scheme so that we can hand back something that the whole community can be proud of.

"We also thank local residents for their patience while work has been going on but are delighted that the park can now be enjoyed by all. We look forward to welcoming people back but we do urge everyone to observe social distancing guidelines.”

Anchorsholme ward councillors, coun Paul Galley and coun Tony Williams, said: "After so much hard work by so many we are delighted that everyone can now enjoy the park and all its amazing facilities including an incredible play area, great cafe and in time as lock down allows the use of the sports areas and amphitheatre.

"We are both delighted that Anchorsholme once more has a park that can be used and enjoyed by all the community and a feature we can all be proud of.”

The redevelopment of the park was a key community project during United Utilities’ work to change and upgrade the sewer network in the town.

The work was carried out so less wastewater escapes into the sea when it rains heavily.

An underground tank and a pumping station was built at the park, and a new, longer outfall pipe which will carry wastewater further out to sea was laid down.

A spokesman for United Utilities said: “We are immensely proud of the work we have done, both below and above ground.

“Not only will our investment in upgrading the sewer network help play a part in ensuring the bathing waters are cleaner on the beach, but just metres away we are also leaving behind a completely revamped park for the local community to enjoy.

“Delivering any engineering project of this magnitude is not easy and we would like to thank everyone for their patience and I hope what we are leaving behind brings everyone a great deal of happiness for many years to come.”