Blackpool beginning to see regeneration benefits as Backlot Cinema, Holiday Inn and civil service hub make progress

New Civil Service offices taking shape on King Street

While some projects have suffered major delays, work on the £100m Civil Service offices on King Street is on schedule, while detailed plans for the £300m Blackpool Central leisure development will be ready early next year.

Latest update on Houndshill Shopping Centre including Frasers, Sports Direct and...

Nick Gerrard, growth and prosperity programme director for Blackpool Council, told the Levelling Up Scrutiny Committee: “By 2027 Blackpool will have a lot better facilities in the town centre, but also it will be a lot busier place and that breeds confidence.”

Mr Gerrard said the pace of change in the resort was already attracting more interest from private investors.

He added: “People are wanting to see what is happening in the town and we are getting a lot more people interested in Blackpool.”

Projects due to be completed by spring 2024 include the multi-storey car park on Central Drive, Houndshill phase two including the Backlot Cinema with an Imax screen, and the Holiday Inn on Talbot Road.

Blackpool Central developer Nikal is expected to submit detailed planning applications for the leisure elements of the scheme in early 2024, with a report to the committee adding construction could begin next year.

Properties are being purchased to clear a site around George Street for the £65m multiversity which has also received £40m of Levelling Up cash.

Meanwhile plans to convert the former Abingdon Street Post Office into a four star Indigo Hotel are also progressing, after that project was awarded £8m of Levelling Up money.

Mr Gerrard told the meeting while there had been delays to some projects, such as the Holiday Inn and tramway extension partly because of the Covid pandemic, many schemes were now coming to fruition.

He said: “2023 has been exciting as we have seen stuff already opening such as the new Abingdon Street Market, while the car park at Blackpool Central will be finished in the next few months.

“The Imax opens next spring and is being fitted out now, and the Civil Service hub is well ahead of schedule.

“Plans and things under consideration are great, but it’s when they open that the economic benefits comes to the people of Blackpool and that is happening now.”

Blackpool Central

Construction of the new multi-storey car park is expected to be completed early next year.

The developer is currently conducting site investigations and surveys for the remaining areas of the site.

Detailed plans for the upcoming leisure phases on the project are being drafted by the developers, with detailed planning applications expected in early 2024 and construction commencing next year.

Talbot Gateway

Work on the Holiday Inn hotel is approaching completion, with both the hotel and tram scheduled to open in the spring.

The development of the Civil Service Hub is progressing rapidly and is currently running approximately two months ahead of the initial schedule, with an expected completion date in early 2025.

Houndshill Phase 2

The multi-screen Backlot cinema, restaurant, and retail accommodation are nearing completion.

Wilko's had been due to take over the retail space, but the council is now believed to be seeking a new operator following the collapse of the DIY chain.

The cinema opening is scheduled for next spring.

The council says the investment will create more than 100 jobs, 76,500 sq. ft. of new commercial floor space and draw in an extra 1.2 million shoppers and visitors to the Houndshill Shopping Centre.

Abingdon Street Market

At present, the market consists of two bars, six food outlet and a coffee stall.

The next phase will include 14 retail stalls, with provision for a butcher and fish monger.

Hotel Indigo - Former Abingdon Street Post Office

Investment has been delayed as initial bids for Levelling Up funding failed, but £8m was awarded earlier this year.

The council has continued to work with the developer Ashall Projects on a revised scheme which now has planning permission.

Grant funding will support the purchase of the building from its current owners with an aim to create a new four star hotel with 144 rooms, including 48 family suites, targeting both the business and family leisure markets.

Multiversity

The council is assembling the required site at George Street which is currently occupied by 50 houses and 17 commercial units.

Where necessary, the council will relocate residents and businesses as part of the land assembly activities and is anticipating the use of its compulsory purchase order powers before preparing the site for development through demolitions and infrastructure works.