Plans for new offices in Blackpool town centre move closer

Town hall chiefs have revealed they are close to assembling a site for new offices to be built in Blackpool town centre.
The first phase of Talbot Gateway includes Bickerstaffe HouseThe first phase of Talbot Gateway includes Bickerstaffe House
The first phase of Talbot Gateway includes Bickerstaffe House

Properties have been acquired in the King Street area in preparation for phase three of the Talbot Gateway regeneration scheme.

A report to the council’s executive says active negotiations are taking place “with an end user” which could lead to 20,000 square metres of office accommodation being built on a single site.

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Around 91 per cent of the necessary area has already been assembled, but councillors are being asked to agree for further negotiations to take place, and for preparations to be made to use compulsory purchase powers should that be necessary.

The owners of Scrooges Wine Bar on Milbourne Street revealed last month they were unlikely to open again after selling their premises to the council as part of a development deal.

A Blackpool Council spokesperson said: “The council is looking to bring forward more office-based developments through relocation and inward investment into the town centre as part of the Talbot Gateway masterplan.

“Whilst discussions are underway regarding several possible opportunities, none are yet at the stage where they can be announced and therefore remain commercially sensitive at this stage.

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“However, it is vital that the council is in a position to respond quickly to opportunities should they arise and to secure any such developments that meet the council’s strategic long term plan for Talbot Gateway.

“The priority for Talbot Gateway is to secure more high quality jobs and drive footfall into the town centre, which will help to upgrade the retail, restaurants and leisure choices in the town, and also will increase job opportunities for local residents, supporting the town’s economic growth.”

In 2019, the council set aside £1.25m towards developing plans for new office accommodation and previously it has been suggested civil service jobs could be among those brought into the town centre.

The first phase of Talbot Gateway includes offices at Bickerstaffe House.