£80,000 events programme for St John's Square in Blackpool

The money has been awarded by Historic England as part of the High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) and Community Cultural Programme.

Activities based around the themes of theatre and performance, creative arts, film and heritage will be aimed at drawing more people into the town centre.

Ideas include outdoor theatre productions, craft workshops, film screenings in different venues and heritage tours and talks.

Coun Lynn Williams, council leader and cabinet member for tourism and culture, said: “The cultural programme and funding offers very clear opportunities to engage local communities in a number of different ways and on a number of levels with both Blackpool’s heritage and its dynamic and exciting artistic community.”

The funding is part of a four-year-long cultural link up with Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The events programme has been developed by the council in partnership with the Winter Gardens Trust, Blackpool Civic Trust and the Friends of the Grand, with further details set to be revealed at a later date.

Coun David Owen, chairman of the Winter Gardens Trust, said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded this money and it will be good to be working with our partners on a project which we all have a real interest in.

“Particularly as the main Heritage Action Zone project is focused on the Winter Gardens and other significant buildings in the conservation area.”

Last September Blackpool also received £532,575 from the scheme which is being used to restore Victorian frontages including at the Winter Gardens.

Kirkham has also been awarded £80,000 from the same fund to deliver a cultural programme in its town centre.

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