We’ve secured £50k to reopen Tramtown and protect Blackpool’s tram heritage

Tramtown Museum in Blackpool is expected to reopen early next month after funding was secured to carry out urgent electrical repairs, Blackpool Council has confirmed.

The heritage attraction which celebrates the town’s historic trams was forced to close temporarily following an electrical fault that made it unsafe to remain open to the public.

However, money from the UK Government’s Pride in Place Impact Fund will now be used to address the issue allowing the museum to welcome visitors again ahead of the busy summer season.

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Blackpool Council said work on the electrics will begin this week enabling the site to reopen in the short term while longer-term plans for Tramtown’s future continue to be developed.

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said the funding would provide breathing space for volunteers and supporters while discussions progress around a more permanent solution.

She said: “I have always been committed to celebrating our Blackpool heritage and our trams and I share people’s strength of feeling about protecting our proud history.

“Over the next few months, we will be working with Tramtown to finalise a funding bid for a new, proper visitor attraction and restoring the main shed where the trams are held.

“While those plans involve a new home for the workshop, visitor attraction and equipment, in the meantime we are trying to find ways to keep the visitor attraction open for the short term.

“This money will allow us to carry out some temporary repairs to the electrics so that it can reopen while we focus on a funding bid for a more permanent home.”

She added that she had recently spoken with volunteers at the site and hoped the announcement would come as a relief to those who have worked tirelessly to protect the collection.

Cllr Paul Galley said: “I reached out directly to Chris Webb MP, Blackpool’s Labour Member of Parliament, to ask for his intervention and support to help Tramtown survive and move forward.

“Chris responded immediately and positively, visiting Tramtown in person to meet volunteers and see first hand the challenges we face.”

Chris Webb, MP for Blackpool South, said he was pleased the funding had been secured and acknowledged the strength of feeling locally around the closure.

He said: “I’m proud to have secured this funding so Tramtown can reopen, protecting a vital part of Blackpool’s heritage for residents and visitors alike.

“Our trams are a key part of our heritage and culture and important to our tourism economy – it’s vital we safeguard them for future generations.

“I know just how much this means to local people, and many residents have written to me to express their concern about the closure.”

Chris Webb said he would continue to support discussions around Tramtown’s long-term future, working alongside the council and volunteers to ensure the attraction remains sustainable.

Once reopened, residents and visitors are being encouraged to support the museum as it prepares for the summer season.

This funding and renewed momentum will allow Tramtown to:

• Build a credible business case
• Stabilise operations
• Create a new future governance model for Tramtown

Becoming a charity is the key to unlocking Tramtown’s true potential. It will allow Tramtown to:

• Protect and retain the fitting shop
• Continue manufacturing heritage tram components
• Restore and return more heritage trams to service
• Bring back the Western Train
• Expand the operation of illuminated trams
• Regenerate the wider Bloomfield area
• Develop the Tramshed and workshops into a major visitor attraction