Blackpool's multi million pound boost for high street schemes confirmed

Government funding of £8.6m was allocated in August to the second phase of the Houndshill Shopping Centre, and for the council to buy and upgrade Abingdon Street Market.

The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has now formally approved both schemes to proceed after they fulfilled the criteria that developments must be underway within 18 months, assuring fast deliverability and creation of jobs.

Blackpool council leader Coun Lynn Williams said: “Over the past seven months the team at the council have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure that none of the momentum is lost on the regeneration of the town centre.

"Now that we have formal approval and funds in place, we can hit the ground running.”

She added: “Houndshill phase two development and the regeneration of Abingdon Street Market are both projects we were seeking funding for through our Future High Streets Fund bid.

"We are delighted we can now accelerate the delivery of these two projects and bring new jobs and opportunities into the town centre sooner than originally planned.”

A sum of £5m will kickstart the £20m second phase of the Houndshill shopping centre to build a nine screen Imax -style cinema, two new restaurants and a new Wilko store.

The remaining £3.6m will be used by the council to buy Abingdon Street Market and transform it with independent shops and food outlets, office use and performance space.

The grants are from the government’s Getting Building Fund aimed at investing in projects deemed capable of creating a fast economic boost, with Lancashire receiving £34m in total.

Steve Fogg, chairman of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership said: “The Covid-19 crisis has naturally had an adverse impact on most areas of the Lancashire economy, and Blackpool particularly so due to its reliance on the tourism and leisure industries.”

The two schemes in Blackpool have the potential to create up to 225 jobs.