Charity to be set up to run Blackpool's new Showtown museum

The proposed charitable company will be called the Blackpool Heritage and Museum Trust, but the town’s historic collections will remain in the ownership of the council.

It will bring the council’s heritage service and the museum under one banner.

A report to the executive, which is being recommended to approve the plans when it meets on Thursday February 24, says setting up a charitable company is considered the best way forward.

It says: “Now that an opening date has been set for the museum in April 2023, arrangements need to be put in place for a charitable company to run the museum and take over the operation of the pre-existing Blackpool Heritage Service.

“The council has invested significantly in the Showtown project and holds the main lease and an Implementation Agreement is recommended to safeguard the council’s interests.

“This agreement will not impinge on the independence of the charitable company but will mean the council would need to be involved in any significant decisions.”

The £13m scheme will see the museum open next spring in the Sands Hotel which is also due to open in 2023 on Central Promenade.

Funding includes £4m from the Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund, plus £1.5m from the Lancashire Growth Deal and £1.75m from Coastal

Communities Fund.

In addition it has received £400,000 in development funding from the

National Lottery Heritage Fund plu a further £4m of Lottery Funding in July 2019 for the delivery phase.

The council has also committed to £600,000 to fund the associated costs, having already invested significantly in the projectate, while other money has also come from a number of trusts and foundations.

Showtown will showcase Blackpool’s rich entertainment history in the form of a new attraction for both visitors and residents.

The new charity will employ up to 13 full-time equivalent members of staff who will be transferred over from their current roles, with up to 10 directors and trustees including three councillors.

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