Blackpool town centre office redevelopment plan revealed

Muse Developments, which is the council’s regeneration partner for the Talbot Gateway, is seeking outline planning permission for offices, a surface car park and a medical centre on a two-and-a-half acre site off King Street.

The ambitious scheme also includes new road infrastructure and public realm and will require the demolition of a large chunk of the existing buildings.

But a public notice advertising the proposals suggests the historic Hop Inn pub on King Street will be saved and converted to a dental clinic.

The scheme is seeking full permission for a change of use of the pub which was bought by the council for £264,500 in 2017 from pub chain Greene King.

The Hop, which previously traded as The Veevers Arms Hotel, is locally listed by the council in recognition of its heritage value.

Last month councillors approved a compulsory purchase order paving the way for future investment in land between Deansgate, East Topping Street and parts of Cookson Street, King Street and Charles Street.

The council has said it is in “advanced negotiations” with a potential occupant for offices of a similar size to the nearby Bickerstaffe House, with Civil Service jobs expected to be brought to the new site.

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