Blackpool improvements - Tons happening

Blackpool Are Back! said:

Poulton already opened one of these golf bars a few weeks ago (diagonally opposite the Golden Ball).

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Yeah, but it's different and also this is in the heart of Blackpool, on the prom. This is putting not a full on golf simulator.

It's yet another thing to do in Blackpool.

todayistheday said:

Great news for the Park golf club. You happy with the news @Wizzerboy

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You were waiting for some news there weren't you... came out the blue a bit that one. So they are known for resorting courses to it's former glory and that plan is just that it seems.

I wasn't expecting anything to happen there, stumbled across it whilst searching for the other putting attraction I think.

£10 million to be spent on a new arts centre next to the Grundy on what has been a car park most of my life. With the development round the station, it's all good news.

JJpool said:

You were waiting for some news there weren't you... came out the blue a bit that one. So they are known for resorting courses to it's former glory and that plan is just that it seems.

I wasn't expecting anything to happen there, stumbled across it whilst searching for the other putting attraction I think.

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Heard about it at start of year, it may take a bit of time getting it in good shape but getting the course in a presentable condition is a start. Anyone know how much fees are there.

Blackpool Are Back! said:

The £300m plan to transform 'dump' seaside town constantly slated as UK worst

The restoration of Blackpool's seafront appears set to bring the town back from the brink after being named the UK's "worst" seaside town.

www.express.co.uk

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Lazy piece about a project that's been known about for ages, with some random quotes from some who were interviewed in another article, where they went looking for a negative story and found it.

From the sun article where again that woman who was getting 'kicked out' for the east stand has commented again... 1 person said he's seen kids walk barefoot then suddenly it's fact and the other headline is town where kids walk barefoot....

Bottom of the barrel stuff for me.

Walked passed the old GPO, see its still up for sale. Are they waiting for more funding and more plans to be drawn up.

JJpool said:

Lazy piece about a project that's been known about for ages, with some random quotes from some who were interviewed in another article, where they went looking for a negative story and found it.

From the sun article where again that woman who was getting 'kicked out' for the east stand has commented again... 1 person said he's seen kids walk barefoot then suddenly it's fact and the other headline is town where kids walk barefoot....

Bottom of the barrel stuff for me.

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As you say, lazy uninformed journalism ignoring the fact that the town has to look after almost one in three of the UK population during the holiday season.

From a certain MP...

And a bonus one here, not in Blackpool but it's only a 10 minute drive down the m55, could be interesting.

This one is great news. 8yr lease too

Went out in town on Friday, have to say really enjoyed it. Did brewroom, cask and tap, market (had a great band on), vintro, hogarths, pug and galleon (who also had another great band on). Was out with a poulton lad who actually said he now preferred it than poulton!!

TangerineArmy said:

This one is great news. 8yr lease too

Went out in town on Friday, have to say really enjoyed it. Did brewroom, cask and tap, market (had a great band on), vintro, hogarths, pug and galleon (who also had another great band on). Was out with a poulton lad who actually said he now preferred it than poulton!!

https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/business/plans-unveiled-for-new-town-centre-micro-pub-as-shipwreck-brewhouse-granted-lease-for-council-premises-4507510?fbclid=IwAR0vLHNAFaYY2tOBTIppR7KHYwBZgLMMAUTyQh8wbF-T7vPNGoi73sdDBGk

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Yeah I suppose people like those micro pubs.

As for the town centre yes there's some decent places and it continues to improve and add more things. You also have other good places not mentioned like dirty blondes, nook, or the relatively new saoko cocktail club etc.


They also just need to get a grip of some of the gremlins who are causing antisocial behaviour in the dead of night, smashing windows etc.

TangerineArmy said:

This one is great news. 8yr lease too

Went out in town on Friday, have to say really enjoyed it. Did brewroom, cask and tap, market (had a great band on), vintro, hogarths, pug and galleon (who also had another great band on). Was out with a poulton lad who actually said he now preferred it than poulton!!

https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/business/plans-unveiled-for-new-town-centre-micro-pub-as-shipwreck-brewhouse-granted-lease-for-council-premises-4507510?fbclid=IwAR0vLHNAFaYY2tOBTIppR7KHYwBZgLMMAUTyQh8wbF-T7vPNGoi73sdDBGk

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If they're focusing their attention on a new one in Blackpool it could explain why the Cleveleys one has really gone downhill

Saw this on FB recently also, letter from a few months ago, but does mention something interesting about bond Street and revoe.

These look amazing, more to come as well.

This one has been bubbling under for a while, now the North Station Hotel and tram link is finally going to open and with the large office block well under way, the next major development in Talbot Gateway is needed to keep up momentum, not forgetting the new multiversity of course.

Conference centre hotel

Not much of a story here but the zoo is improving all the time.


Not sure if this is an improvement or not...

This has been mentioned before, but it's now being rolled out nationwide due to its success.

Hopefully it sees similar results across other Blackpool areas and all over.


Case study 1: Lancashire Constabulary
Using trial funding Lancashire Police have delivered visible policing hours across the county to deal with anti-social behaviour. After six months of hotspot policing in Brunswick, Blackpool, reported anti-social behaviour has decreased by 42% compared to the same period last year and public confidence in the police tackling anti-social behaviour in the area has increased by 7.9%. Work in Brunswick has included the creation of a monthly PACT (Police and Communities Together) meeting in Brunswick to allow residents and community members and local councillors to positively engage with local officers and relay any concerns that they have.

Interesting, if accurate, if this is part of the change towards the more family oriented resort.

Some smaller news...




Also...



Some big news...

£90m of Levelling Up funds earmarked to tackle deprived inner areas of Blackpool

Really coming together now and will vastly improve that area.

Need to see more of this really in knocking down a few knackered areas and replacing with new plus greenery.

I guess this type thing is what the 90 million above will go towards and maybe some might go towards that central drive regeneration as part of the revoe masterplan.

JJpool said:

Really coming together now and will vastly improve that area.

Need to see more of this really in knocking down a few knackered areas and replacing with new plus greenery.

I guess this type thing is what the 90 million above will go towards and maybe some might go towards that central drive regeneration as part of the revoe masterplan.

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I know this might sound like heresy but I would have the Metropole building demolished. Let the sunlight and the sea view get at that section of the Prom - it always looks tired and run down.

1966_and_all_that said:

I know this might sound like heresy but I would have the Metropole building demolished. Let the sunlight and the sea view get at that section of the Prom - it always looks tired and run down.

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It's a listed building.

They need to carry on their quality corridors improvements there too, where they do new shop frontages etc.

But on another point that 90 million as posted a couple of posts ago is a good boost.

It'll be interesting to see exactly where and how it'll be spent as there's a consultation.

"We are extremely pleased about today’s announcement. It has been eagerly awaited and is a testament to the strong working relationship we have with central government, Homes England and a number of other partners locally and nationally.    “Our residents and communities desperately need better housing and investment in their neighbourhoods, especially in the inner areas of Blackpool. We will use this funding to continue the process of positive change, improving housing, neighbourhoods and life chances across inner Blackpool. We will be holding a full public consultation concerning our plans for a first phase.     “We want to create strong neighbourhoods - stable, thriving and sustainable neighbourhoods that have access to things like health services, decent jobs, quality housing, schools and leisure activities.    “It is our vision that over time you will see the removal of housing that does not meet modern standards, with new and better housing created in its place, in better neighbourhoods, designed with the interests of Blackpool residents and businesses at their heart. We want people to love where they live”. 

So as posted previously, I wonder if this means it goes towards the central drive and area redeployment, as part of the revoe masterplan...?

I'm not sure how far 90 million goes on this sort of enterprise, but I would prioritise the demolishing and rebuild of central drive replaced with a new village concept, I'd even suggest rerouting roads.

After that I'd further demolish housing around the multiversity for student accommodation.

The money available from the HS2 pot should be spent connecting the tram network into residential areas. Either into lytham St Anne's, or Fleetwood to Poulton down the closed rail route.

10 years time houses will be double if not triple, a great time to buy right now whilst prices are wobbling.

Foolweary said:

I'm not sure how far 90 million goes on this sort of enterprise, but I would prioritise the demolishing and rebuild of central drive replaced with a new village concept, I'd even suggest rerouting roads.

After that I'd further demolish housing around the multiversity for student accommodation.

The money available from the HS2 pot should be spent connecting the tram network into residential areas. Either into lytham St Anne's, or Fleetwood to Poulton down the closed rail route.

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Exactly what it is for, trams to connect to all train stations around the Fylde, Fleetwood to Poulton to Kirkham to wrea green to Lytham and back up prom, think Blackpool/Layton/Poulton also.

Foolweary said:

I'm not sure how far 90 million goes on this sort of enterprise, but I would prioritise the demolishing and rebuild of central drive replaced with a new village concept, I'd even suggest rerouting roads.

After that I'd further demolish housing around the multiversity for student accommodation.

The money available from the HS2 pot should be spent connecting the tram network into residential areas. Either into lytham St Anne's, or Fleetwood to Poulton down the closed rail route.

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It can be a big help in a few areas if used well.

I guess we'll learn more at the consultation.

Central drive already has a masterplan.



I wonder if some will go to bond Street too...

Hearing China Town potentially for Bond Street

Hazi said:

Hearing China Town potentially for Bond Street

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Hearing from where?

JJpool said:

Hearing from where?

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I hear all sorts in our town most of the above developments I have mentioned on here years before. Most work is planned 15 years in advance of announcements. Not 100% on China town but has been discussed and would make some sense of the Chinese buying up hotels around the town. Camden style market discussed too.

Where are the jobs for all these new houses?

Tangerinenick said:

Where are the jobs for all these new houses?

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Some houses talked about are ones replacing bad housing so there probably isn't really a gain there, they are of course building more houses as well elsewhere.

There's a quite lot of job opportunities in Blackpool and the surrounding areas.

The airport enterprise zone is expanding and will also try and tap into the high speed internet cables that land in Blackpool and build a 'silicone sands' business park. There's still quite a lot of expansion to happen at the airport enterprise zone.


There's plenty for other things going on to increase job opportunities and make the town centre and wider town thrive, many mentioned in this thread.

JJpool said:

Some houses talked about are ones replacing bad housing so there probably isn't really a gain there, they are of course building more houses as well elsewhere.

There's a quite lot of job opportunities in Blackpool and the surrounding areas.

The airport enterprise zone is expanding and will also try and tap into the high speed internet cables that land in Blackpool and build a 'silicone sands' business park. There's still quite a lot of expansion to happen at the airport enterprise zone.

https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/politics/blackpool-airport-enterprise-zone-4443199

There's plenty for other things going on to increase job opportunities and make the town centre and wider town thrive, many mentioned in this thread.

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Good news all round!
Left Pool long time ago but love the town and people.

Looks like they haven't followed what the render shows even on the billboards around the project, regarding the road from Seasiders way to Blackpool central.

Will it come at a later phase? Would be stupid to make it a dead end as it's very handy to get straight into town that way.

Not sure what's going on.

Hazi said:

I hear all sorts in our town most of the above developments I have mentioned on here years before. Most work is planned 15 years in advance of announcements. Not 100% on China town but has been discussed and would make some sense of the Chinese buying up hotels around the town. Camden style market discussed too.

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I was thinking about Bond street earlier.

If they don't go with a different route like Chinatown or whatever...

I wonder if they could or should do something like this.

The northern part near Hartes is nearest the other shopping area so keep as all shops there, just south of that, in the stretch between Rawcliffe and Dean Street, knock down or keep some buildings of architectural relevance and do up and put houses in the townhouse style that some are and some newer versions too, like like they've done a little further south of that.



A little garden and a remodeled thinner street with trees, modern paving. Should be paved and tress planted regardless of what they do.

The businesses in the bit that's knocked down or turned into houses can be supported moving to the spare premises in the northern bit, or even the very southern bit near the church so it's full of live and decent businesses.

Where Hartes is, knock it down asap and put a pocket park there, plenty of trees etc. It would look great, be protected from the worst of the wind and also imagine many after getting an ice-cream from Norariannis and being in that park on nice day.

We've mentioned central drive and there's a plan for that.

But also, as a priority they should put money into operation face-lift. Where many properties in areas such as that are targeted to be painted like Balamory house colours. At least many poor quality areas would look more presentable and also if there is any scope for some quick greenery, get it in.

One last thing, when something must be boarded up somewhere don't just use the bog standard boards if its in an area of high visitor traffic, use some boards with colour like some places do with pics on etc, looks far better, could even utilise local artists.

Just outside the council area but still in 'Blackpool'.

@Hazi I mentioned Hartes the other day, this has come up...



It's an improvement on the crumbling building, still think I prefer a pocket park though...

But it would look far better than whats there.

The BBC doing a spot on the new museum today. No problem with that, but then they start showing Central Drive and commenting on the rundown state of the town. Out of order. They went there to celebrate the museum and there was no need to have a dig at the town.

tommytwojags said:

The BBC doing a spot on the new museum today. No problem with that, but then they start showing Central Drive and commenting on the rundown state of the town. Out of order. They went there to celebrate the museum and there was no need to have a dig at the town.

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Not seen it but sounds like the typical attacks the town gets from idiots.

Can't imagine them doing it somewhere else, going for an opening of a new venue then cutting to a local council estate.

New link Road progress, although date put back...


Showtown



Free to Blackpool residents remember.

Helicopter simulator


Hotel next to Winter Gardens


Blackpool on a budget...


Great article from the telegraph, remember to refresh and stop before it loads at the right place to read in full.

I guess it'll be an improvement until proper repairs can be funded.


A project which helps young unemployed people in a seaside town has been awarded £400,000 of lottery funding to extend its work.

Led by the Rank Foundation, the scheme has already helped 278 people, aged between 18 and 25, living in the Claremont area of Blackpool.

It has supported them either to find work or access training or education.

The extra funding means the project can be extended to three other wards - Bloomfield, Talbot and Brunswick.

Claremont was the first targeted after research found more than 400 unemployed youngsters in just 10 streets between Westminster Road and Dickson Road.

Support includes referrals to college, help to find better accommodation, providing access to health and fitness services, as well as mental health support.

'Turning the tide'
The Rank Foundation has partnered with Freestyle Urban Soccer, Empowerment, Streetlife, Blackpool Football Club Community Trust, Groundwork, and Blackpool Coastal Housing.

The partnership aims to understand what stops young people finding jobs, education or training by asking them what solutions they would like to see.

Most people who were asked said unemployment was not a "lifestyle choice" but barriers included issues such as anxiety, unsuitable housing and a lack of basic skills such as English and maths.

One young person said the team helped them find a flat and become more physically fit through boxing.

They added: "The walk and talk sessions have allowed me to talk openly about many issues, which has helped to reduce my stress, worry and anxiety.

"With their support, I'm looking at returning to education or finding a job."

Dame Julia Cleverdon, chair of the Pride of Place - Claremont Steering Group Board, said: "The Claremont team, sponsored by Rank Foundation who have led the collaborative work with partners to support young 18 to 24-year-old unemployed people in this ward, are so delighted our lessons learnt can now be shared and implemented across three more wards in Blackpool.

"We are turning the tide in this coastal community."

Mr Bentons take on the 90 million.

Not strictly an improvement but good for the town and to bring in numbers with events like this.

Things like this help with visitors at that time of year.





Cinema




Some bigger news here...

Blackpool Town prospectus 2030 agenda

This is the next vision... Mentions of revoe and South Shore that could be the revoe masterplan with central drive redevelopment and ss could be bond street, if those 2 were done in the next 5 years that would be a big transformation. The whole pdf document is at the bottom of that article, haven't had chance to go through myself yet but will at some point.


"The Prospectus, titled 2030 Agenda for Action, is a long-term strategic vision for Blackpool which aims to position the Town as the UK’s ‘Silicon Sands’ with a thriving digital economy. The Prospectus also aims to position Blackpool as a great place to live, work, grow up and visit, building on the work done since 2017.

The latest edition of the prospectus comes as the government pledged £90M of funding to Blackpool so that residents can benefit from regeneration investment to support the creation of new well-designed homes and neighbourhoods, as part of wider ambitions to transform local communities. Tackling housing is one of the key priorities outlined in the Prospectus for the Pride of Place Partnership. Since the launch of the first prospectus in 2018, more than £600m has been invested in the town, including £300m of government funding.

With an ambition to grow Blackpool’s economy by £1bn by 2030, the partnership is keen to build on this work and its existing strategic partnership with the UK Government, by working with other departments to deliver improved housing, health, education, skills and employment, and digital outcomes, and to ensure economic growth and regeneration for Blackpool and all its residents. The Prospectus has several calls to action for government, including:

Building on the £90M capital announcement and committing to future phases of Housing intervention, comprising £400m investment in capital funding to intervene at scale in the failing housing market in inner Blackpool

Co-creating a health strategy and budget for Blackpool to reduce health inequalities in the town by tackling the causes of poor health

Piloting Blackpool as a charitable action zone, that supports the creation of a Blackpool foundation to attract philanthropic investment to support the renewal and regeneration of human capital in the town

Supporting the town in piloting a broader college performance framework to allow our training providers to work in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education to reduce the number of young people not in employment, education or training and the economically inactive

Building on the work that has been done to help Blackpool become a district heat network town that connects social housing and public buildings with renewable heat sources

Supporting the development of the proposed innovative Silicon Sands Technology Demonstrator at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone focusing on utilising local sustainable energy, liquid immersion cooling technology, effective re-use of waste heat, reduction of data centre energy use and cost of data centre operations, and significant reductions in carbon emissions so that Blackpool can become a leading innovator in the efficient re-use of data and AI-generated heat

Funding £128M for the Poulton to Fleetwood tram train from the Restoring your Railway Fund and investing in a passing loop on the South Fylde line

Providing £10M to fund the Blackpool Culture Hub, creating a centre for historic and contemporary art and cultural engagement, community development activities, and displays of world-class art

Allocating £20M per year of capital and revenue funding for Blackpool’s Growth and Prosperity Programme, which will allow us to enable the development of inner Blackpool (including Claremont, South Shore and Revoe) to attract investment and fulfil their potential


The asks of government sit alongside the work that is being done on the ground led by local businesses and community organisations and supported by Blackpool Council.

BITC has been working in Blackpool since 2017 and has set out a blueprint to address some of Blackpool’s social challenges and develop its opportunities, the aim being to deliver long-term transformational change. In Blackpool, the 2030 objectives focus on creating and safeguarding at least 10,000 jobs and growing the economy by £1BN. This work also includes tackling the concentration of deprivation in the inner areas (the worst in England) raising it out of the bottom decile and creating 3,000 new quality homes."

JJpool said:

Things like this help with visitors at that time of year.

Cinema

I think this is the best cinema in the UK - says boss of Blackpool's new venue

Cinema boasts state-of-the-art techology

www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/here-is-how-fylde-residents-can-get-vip-discounts-at-blackpools-new-backlot-cinema-and-diner-4564797?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2MSrdAtABGef7enLINxgkyqMUy892JN_-3AZcaK7dvYlirwq_tDeRHerA#Echobox=1711093664

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Three times the price of Cleveleys Vue and no free parking.

Thanks but no thanks

JJpool said:

Funding £128M for the Poulton to Fleetwood tram train from the Restoring your Railway Fund and investing in a passing loop on the South Fylde line

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Any more on this? First I've heard of it.

April13th1970 said:

Three times the price of Cleveleys Vue and no free parking.

Thanks but no thanks

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Locals discount available and imax is meant to be far superior. But I get the issues.

16 quid for the imax and 11 for standard I think. That's at peak times, off peak is 9 standard and imax is 14.

Odeon is a fiver and Vue 7.99, although you can use meerkat movies and get 2 for 1 at Odeon and Vue which we used to do a lot.

The locals discount gets 20% off, so it's more competitive and I'll try the imax. So should be 12.80 or you can work it out on the other prices too.

As posted on the other thread too...

From the everything Blackpool fb

free on-street parking is available and within 5-10 minutes walk of this venue

See details below

After 5pm (Free all day Sunday’s)

Leopold Grove
Alfred St
South King St

After 6pm

Adelaide St-side of the Winter Gardens
Albert Road
Topping St
Clifton St

Foolweary said:

Any more on this? First I've heard of it.

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Have a look at the full town prospects, it's the whole next vision, including some really interesting things.

It's linked at the bottom of this article.


But here's the relevant bits on that.