Council working on economic recovery plan for Blackpool after lockdown

But council leader Simon Blackpool has pledged the resort will bounce back stronger with planning already in place for economic recovery, while it is hoped the Illuminations will go ahead as usual.

Events including the switch-on and Blackpool Air Show are still in place, but contingency plans have been made to protect town hall finances if they have to be cancelled.

The council has now received around £12m in financial support from the government to help it provide vital services during the pandemic including children's and adult services.

It has also dug into its own reserves in response to increased demand for services including getting rough sleepers off the street, supporting shielding programmes for the most vulnerable and assisting public health workers and fire and rescue services.

Coun Blackburn said the additional government funding was "most welcome, but the council has already spent more than £21m, which we are able to do thanks to our financial prudence and careful management of reserves."

He said the priority was to safeguard people's health while looking ahead to restoring the resort's economy,

He said: "We are already working on an economic recovery plan, both here in Blackpool, and alongside colleagues from across Lancashire, and are preparing to relaunch Blackpool and all its attractions as soon as the current restrictions are lifted.

"Blackpool will be back, stronger and more united than ever.”

He added: "But we will be pressing the government to balance the books at the earliest opportunity, which they have pledged to do.

"For now, I and everyone else at the council are focused on getting the job done, and doing everything we can to support the government and the NHS in their efforts.

"I have found both MPs to be helpful and supportive, and am confident they will continue to back Blackpool and speak up for us in Westminster and Whitehall.

"Prioritising action to safeguard people’s health is our number one priority, and we will continue to work around the clock to do that.

"To have such an amazing response from our truly inspirational staff, and the people of Blackpool is truly heartwarming.

"Offers of help and support have poured in, never before have I seen a community pull together in such a way."

Coun Tony Williams, leader of the Conservatives on Blackpool Council, welcomed government funding for services and said it was important businesses in the town could see a clear plan for recovery.

He said: "The finance team at Blackpool Council has worked hard to build a cushion to manage any unexpected financial emergencies and hopefully we can weather the current storm.

"However, we need to start planning a full tourism recovery initiative to get Blackpool back on its feet.

"Money will be tight after the crisis so perhaps more people will holiday here in the UK. We need to be pulling all our tourism partners together to work on our future.

"Traders and businesses in Blackpool will want to see a formulated plan."

In addition to government funding for services, Blackpool Council received £59m from the government to support businesses in the town with grants mainly of £10,000 to get them through lockdown.

So far, more than £32m has been paid out to more than 2,800 eligible businesses.

Blackpool South MP Scott Benton said measures including the furlough scheme were helping residents and businesses in the town.

He said the furlough scheme to retain jobs would "make a huge difference to hundreds of businesses and thousands of people across Blackpool South.

"This scheme is essential in protecting jobs and putting the local and national economy in a condition that can quickly bounce back up when the time arrives."

He also welcomed the extra funding towards providing frontline services.

Mr Benton added: "Blackpool Council are at the front line in giving support to local communities and this extra funding will enable them to continue supporting our town as we all continue to tackle the virus.

"I also join in giving praise and sincere thanks to Blackpool Council’s staff who are delivering the vital services for us all in these extraordinary times."

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to Blackpool Gazette website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/ now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you and stay safe. Gillian Parkinson, editor.