Tories announce conference return to Blackpool

Conservative Party co-chairman Amanda Milling made the announcement during a visit to the Winter Gardens today.

The last time a national party conference was held in Blackpool was in 2007 when the Conservatives gathered for their main October conference in the town.

Labour has also stopped bringing its main conference to Blackpool, although the resort has hosted the party's regional North West conference.

Visit Blackpool estimates the Conservative Spring Forum announced today will be worth £2.4m to the town's economy.

Ms Milling said: “I’m delighted to announce that we will be returning to Blackpool for the Conservative Party Spring Forum in two years’ time.

“Blackpool and the entire North West region are key parts of our plan to level-up the country and returning to the town reinforces our commitment to the task.

“I am looking forward to seeing Conservative Party supporters and activists making the trip to the seaside to enjoy the conference and everything this wonderful town has to offer.”

It comes as work is progressing on a £25m new conference centre at the Winter Gardens.

Coun Gillian Campbell, cabinet member for tourism and culture on Blackpool Council, said: “We are delighted to see the return of a mainstream party political conference to Blackpool – and we hope it will be the first of many.

“Our investment in a new conference centre to complement the existing facilities in the Winter Gardens is a statement of our intent to once again become a major player in the conference market.

“The return of the Conservative Party after a number of years away gives us every confidence that we can do just that.

"We look forward to welcoming delegates back to Blackpool in the spring of 2022 when they will be able to experience the outstanding new conference facilities that are currently under construction.”