Blackpool improvements - Tons happening

Wizaard said:
The pandemic showed that hybrid working is the future and you don't have to physically be in the office 60 hours a week to advance your career.

Dinosaurs like Rees-Mogg are still claiming otherwise but they are irrelevant to modern working.
Click to expand...
Good for career advancement maybe Wiz, not as good for the needs of the service OR here's a wacky one... the needs of the general public using the service.

I've seen far too much piss taking these last few years - under the guise of concern for others/public health - for anyone to ever convince me that working from home is an overall benefit. For every one person grafting at their kitchen table, there's another nine off out walking the dog, not answering calls.

It's not just the civil though, it's the same in the health service and local government. Meetings about meetings, how to service and appease the computer systems, endless training.
 
rockontommy said:
Good for career advancement maybe Wiz, not as good for the needs of the service OR here's a wacky one... the needs of the general public using the service.

I've seen far too much piss taking these last few years - under the guise of concern for others/public health - for anyone to ever convince me that working from home is an overall benefit. For every one person grafting at their kitchen table, there's another nine off out walking the dog, not answering calls.

It's not just the civil though, it's the same in the health service and local government. Meetings about meetings, how to service and appease the computer systems, endless training.
Click to expand...
Sorry, but everyone I know worked really hard as benefit claims jumped from 4000 a month to 100,000 literally overnight, with everyone working from home.

There are a few bad apples, of course, but the overwhelming majority put in the effort and kept services running seamlessly as far as the general public were concerned.
 
Wizaard said:
Sorry, but everyone I know worked really hard as benefit claims jumped from 4000 a month to 100,000 literally overnight, with everyone working from home.

There are a few bad apples, of course, but the overwhelming majority put in the effort and kept services running seamlessly as far as the general public were concerned.
Click to expand...
I would hazard a guess that anyone trying to access a school, a health centre, contact a social worker, get something, anything from any community health service might see things differently - due to the bad apples you mention, as well as the anti end-user institutions and practices already in place. But every credit for doing your bit which ultimately is all any of us can do.
 
rockontommy said:
I would hazard a guess that anyone trying to access a school, a health centre, contact a social worker, get something, anything from any community health service might see things differently - due to the bad apples you mention, as well as the anti end-user institutions and practices already in place - but every credit for doing your bit which ultimately is all any of us can do.
Click to expand...
Face to face contact is obviously a different matter and mainly out of the control of office based staff who were under orders to stay at home.

That impacted on those needing that contact and was not good clearly
 
Some of us did stay in the office through the pandemic and did the jobs that those at home couldn‘t actually do if we are being totally honest. Without those of us who stayed throughout there would have been a collapse in certain parts of our delivery and customer service.

I support hybrid working, just. I agree with ROT on a number of points too. I wouldn’t expand working from home to more than 3 days a week as it is now.
 
Lala said:
Some of us did stay in the office through the pandemic and did the jobs that those at home couldn‘t actually do if we are being totally honest. Without those of us who stayed throughout there would have been a collapse in certain parts of our delivery and customer service.

I support hybrid working, just. I agree with ROT on a number of points too. I wouldn’t expand working from home to more than 3 days a week as it is now.
Click to expand...
I'm retired now but when I worked more was solved by people talking face-to-face than home working ever could.
 
Blackpool Are Back! said:
About these new offices - Aren't most people working from home 2 or 3 days a week now, including the civil service?

Just a thought🤷‍♂️
Click to expand...
My lad works for DWP, he’s only in 1 day a week.
It’s been taken into account how many will be in each day, and that will have dictated the size of the building.
It will be full (or as near as damn it) every day.
 
1966_and_all_that said:
Yes, I know but zoom is still a formality. It doesn't quite hit the nuance of personal, face to face conversations.
Click to expand...
I think that’s a sweeping generalisation - I was working from home today and I had three formal meetings on Zoom but I also made three video calls to colleagues just for a chat about a few issues When I am in the office I probably speak to fewer people than when I am at home.
 
Johnno said:
My lad works for DWP, he’s only in 1 day a week.
It’s been taken into account how many will be in each day, and that will have dictated the size of the building.
It will be full (or as near as damn it) every day.
Click to expand...
So it says 3k staff to relocate, but to fill it each day there'd have to be more than 3k alternating...
 
todayistheday said:
Will the offices have fridges and cookers at hand for those bringing in own food.
Click to expand...
Of course, surely a canteen too. However people like to have different things from time to time.

Even if only a small % eat out or shop after work, it's still beneficial.
 
Southend tangerine said:
I think that’s a sweeping generalisation - I was working from home today and I had three formal meetings on Zoom but I also made three video calls to colleagues just for a chat about a few issues When I am in the office I probably speak to fewer people than when I am at home.
Click to expand...
You can probably be yourself even move over video.

I imagine many are there chatting away care free, not even realising the other person has no pants on.
 
JJpool said:
So it says 3k staff to relocate, but to fill it each day there'd have to be more than 3k alternating...
Click to expand...
I’m not sure I understand your model? If, and just accepting your figures, 3k are using that building, they’re not all there every day. They’re taking it in turns. A small proportion each day?
 
Johnno said:
I’m not sure I understand your model? If, and just accepting your figures, 3k are using that building, they’re not all there every day. They’re taking it in turns. A small proportion each day?
Click to expand...
You said it will be full almost each day. If there's 3k moving in but only working the odd day it won't be full each day.

Unless there's far more moving and they are alternating days, sharing desks. That's the only way you can fill it every day with people working the odd day surely.
 
JJpool said:
You said it will be full almost each day. If there's 3k moving in but only working the odd day it won't be full each day.

Unless there's far more moving and they are alternating days, sharing desks. That's the only way you can fill it every day with people working the odd day surely.
Click to expand...
Desks will be shared no doubt as they are now.
 
Lala said:
Desks will be shared no doubt as they are now.
Click to expand...
I know we discussed this but can't remember exactly what was said...

How many are moving, is it 3k?

The point was it can't be full at all times unless more are going as many are working hybrid.
 
JJpool said:
I know we discussed this but can't remember exactly what was said...

How many are moving, is it 3k?

The point was it can't be full at all times unless more are going as many are working hybrid.
Click to expand...
I don’t think it’s known exactly how many will move there yet JJ.
Im sure the aim will be to have it full most days even with hybrid working, so that may mean more relocating than was originally thought. But this is supposition on my part for now.
 
Lala said:
I don’t think it’s known exactly how many will move there yet JJ.
Im sure the aim will be to have it full most days even with hybrid working, so that may mean more relocating than was originally thought. But this is supposition on my part for now.
Click to expand...
That was my point, to get it full most days it would have to be more if they are working a few days each.
 
www.lancs.live

Manchester United star opens new £6m sports village in Blackpool

With 14 new grass football pitches, the Common Edge Community Sports Village include a full-sized 3G football pitch, sports pavilion with changing rooms and community space, plus a grass rugby pitch and training area
www.lancs.live www.lancs.live

Missed opportunity, why they'd get some ladies man u player to open the facilities IDK, surely they should involve the local club, BFC?
 
A few bit of news etc.


www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

You may see Blackpool's street cleaners going about on three wheels in future

Tricycles are being used to tidy up trash in Blackpool as part of a fresh approach to street cleaning.
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

news.lancashire.gov.uk

Landmark devolution deal moves a step closer

A landmark devolution deal for Lancashire has moved a step closer after the Government’s Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison signalled her in principle support.
news.lancashire.gov.uk news.lancashire.gov.uk

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council said: “I am pleased we are moving closer to a first devolution deal for Lancashire. Getting over the start line on devolution will allow us to access additional funding and support from national Government and decide how this is used locally to tackle local issues and opportunities for the good of the people of Blackpool and Lancashire.

“We have shared priorities across Lancashire which are articulated in our 2050 vision. I look forward to further conversations with our partners in Lancashire and Government about how we can turn these shared priorities into reality, and deliver more of the things our residents and businesses need”.
 
Southend tangerine said:
As they are new offices they will not invest the amount they have for them to be half empty. They know hybrid working is a factor and they will have taken account of that
Click to expand...
Before the pandemic we were hot desking on a ratio of 10 people to 6 desks as people are always on leave, in other offices, sick etc etc. That's even more so, with hybrid working.
 
Blackpool is deffo on the up and up. 20 years ago you couldn't find a decent restraunts. Maybe the lobster pot. But now loads of choice. My only gripe would be how long the tram track is taking and the roads are crazy.. Better drinking establishments aswell. Also nicer hotels if you want a bit of luxury. One other negative is these nice places please don't rip people off. The beach house or hut whatever it is called, is very pricey. And Bloom bar, even though the views are amazing £6.75 a pint is too much. It's not London.
 
Mancpool said:
Blackpool is deffo on the up and up. 20 years ago you couldn't find a decent restraunts. Maybe the lobster pot. But now loads of choice. My only gripe would be how long the tram track is taking and the roads are crazy.. Better drinking establishments aswell. Also nicer hotels if you want a bit of luxury. One other negative is these nice places please don't rip people off. The beach house or hut whatever it is called, is very pricey. And Bloom bar, even though the views are amazing £6.75 a pint is too much. It's not London.
Click to expand...
The next few years or maybe next 5-10 should be pretty transformative on quite a few fronts, all the big projects mentioned on this thread, the revoe redevelopment including East stand and pitches, Central drive itself, which will be a huge uplift, along with the Blackpool central attraction that is part of that area. The multiversity... tree planting will add a big visual change in many places for the better.

As you mention there's a lot of good places to eat now and some are more upmarket... well some literally... aka the new market food court 😀
 
JJpool said:
Of course, surely a canteen too. However people like to have different things from time to time.

Even if only a small % eat out or shop after work, it's still beneficial.
Click to expand...
Canteens are a thing of the past. Ditto tea trollies. Small areas on each floor where you can make a brew and maybe a microwave is the best you can hope for.
 
Just out of interest, the capacity of the new civil service offices is approximately 1700 desks. A lot of the early articles about the office building mentioned this figure but more recently the 3000 figure is the one being highlighted in all the news reports and by the council. 3000 staff (approx) are being relocated, but as some / most will be working in a hybrid nature this amounts to only 1700 desks being provided. I suppose the council are keen to push the potentially misleading higher figure as it makes it seem as though footfall will be a lot higher each day in the town centre than the reality of fewer than 1700, as presumably not many offices are full to capacity every working day.

Here is a link to an article from the Gazette (2021).
Civil service office article from the Gazette 2021
 
wrighty said:
Just out of interest, the capacity of the new civil service offices is approximately 1700 desks. A lot of the early articles about the office building mentioned this figure but more recently the 3000 figure is the one being highlighted in all the news reports and by the council. 3000 staff (approx) are being relocated, but as some / most will be working in a hybrid nature this amounts to only 1700 desks being provided. I suppose the council are keen to push the potentially misleading higher figure as it makes it seem as though footfall will be a lot higher each day in the town centre than the reality of fewer than 1700, as presumably not many offices are full to capacity every working day.

Here is a link to an article from the Gazette (2021).
Civil service office article from the Gazette 2021
Click to expand...
Even before the pandemic we were on a ratio of 10 people to 6 desks, allowing for part timers, annual leave etc. Hot desking. No one has 'their' desk anymore, and hybrid working has made it easier to get a desk.
 
Wizaard said:
Canteens are a thing of the past. Ditto tea trollies. Small areas on each floor where you can make a brew and maybe a microwave is the best you can hope for.
Click to expand...
fake-news-5c6ab7.jpg
 
wrighty said:
Just out of interest, the capacity of the new civil service offices is approximately 1700 desks. A lot of the early articles about the office building mentioned this figure but more recently the 3000 figure is the one being highlighted in all the news reports and by the council. 3000 staff (approx) are being relocated, but as some / most will be working in a hybrid nature this amounts to only 1700 desks being provided. I suppose the council are keen to push the potentially misleading higher figure as it makes it seem as though footfall will be a lot higher each day in the town centre than the reality of fewer than 1700, as presumably not many offices are full to capacity every working day.

Here is a link to an article from the Gazette (2021).
Civil service office article from the Gazette 2021
Click to expand...
Makes sense, this was discussed some time ago on the thread and that you would clearly have people alternating.
 
todayistheday said:
Do you know whats happening with the Warbeck site. Housing hopefully, may ajoin the Greenlands one when it gets going.
Click to expand...
It should become houses IMO, would be able to get maybe 250 ish houses.

The landlord kicked them out early, hopefully not got some dodgy plans for it...

www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

Serco issues statement following rumours that DWP offices in Blackpool could be turned into asylum seeker housing

There have been rumours that DWP offices in Blackpool could be turned into a giant ‘accommodation centre’ for asylum seekers.
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk
 
JJpool said:
It should become houses IMO, would be able to get maybe 250 ish houses.

The landlord kicked them out early, hopefully not got some dodgy plans for it...

www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

Serco issues statement following rumours that DWP offices in Blackpool could be turned into asylum seeker housing

There have been rumours that DWP offices in Blackpool could be turned into a giant ‘accommodation centre’ for asylum seekers.
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk
Click to expand...
Heard it was going to be the new training ground.
 
JJpool said:
There's a lot happening in Blackpool with new developments, regeneration etc.

One of the key tourist routes into Blackpool is by train, you can see some of the improvements here... Talbot gateway, new shop fronts and buildings rendered etc. Talbot Square looking good. It's getting there.


Turtle Bay on the way to that area too.

www.lancs.live

Blackpool regeneration gathers pace with bingo, Taco Bell and 130-room hotel

Club 3000 Bingo premises are due to open in late June with a £5m fit out of the interior of the building now underway
www.lancs.live

New ambulance hub is looking good.

More trees planted every year finally greening places up.

www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk

Lancs town given £8m for transformation of historic Post Office into boutique hotel

Blackpool has been handed a further £8m of Levelling Up Funding by the Government which will be used to convert the town’s historic former main…
www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk

www.lancs.live

New Marvin's bar to open in Blackpool this summer

Businessman Alex Huckerby plans to convert the former Co-operative Bank on Clifton Street offering a similar experience to existing Marvin’s bars in Lytham, Poulton and South Shore
www.lancs.live

Maybe someone got a tad carried away with the new Lytham... but good to see Highfield Road doing well.

www.lancs.live

Boom time in the go-to destination dubbed Lancashire's 'new Lytham'

"It's the new Lytham'
www.lancs.live

Blackpool Central coming on...


The revoe sports pitches are due not far off and the new east stand will improve the area.

Work is underway on the new civil service building, one part of increasing footfall in town to help businesses.

www.placenorthwest.co.uk

VINCI begins £100m Blackpool civil service hub - Place North West

Muse Developments has appointed the contractor to build the 215,000 sq ft town centre office, with work due to complete in March 2025.
www.placenorthwest.co.uk www.placenorthwest.co.uk

The Multiversity is planned... bringing huge educational benefits and more footfall.

www.placenorthwest.co.uk

Blackpool signs off £16m Multiversity loan among raft of approvals - Place North West

Resolutions to approve the use of compulsory purchase powers to unlock the construction of a town centre car park and a new East Stand for the town’s football club were also rubber-stamped by the council’s executive this week.
www.placenorthwest.co.uk www.placenorthwest.co.uk

The museum is another thing coming soon.

New attraction...

www.dailymail.co.uk

Pictured: The Gruffalo attraction that's coming to Blackpool in May

The Blackpool attraction, called The Gruffalo & Friends Clubhouse, invites visitors to 'burst through the pages of some of their favourite stories and into a magical 3D world'.
www.dailymail.co.uk www.dailymail.co.uk

There's a new arcade near to the Tower where the old woolworths used to be.

www.lancs.live

11 Blackpool projects that'll be completed or reach key milestones this year

Blackpool is undergoing a huge redevelopment
www.lancs.live www.lancs.live

New look Abingdon Street market.

Any more? Probably missed loads of smaller things. Please add to the thread.
Click to expand...
I think you'll find in the grand scheme of thinks they are all small and won't make any difference.
 
kuriousoranj said:
I think you'll find in the grand scheme of thinks they are all small and won't make any difference.
Click to expand...
I think you've got to start somewhere, you do that by improving areas, which is what is happening or planned, although much to do and people always want a quicker pace.

There's some good things ongoing and planned. Taking steps to make footfall in town much higher, through various projects, a thriving tourism sector and town centre is good for jobs. Some visual improvements too, regeneration, tree planting, makes the place greener and better for mental health. The multiversity is a good move, towns regeneration often begins with that. The Blackpool central project will help tourism all year round. Tons more happening.

Will it solve all issues of course not, but you start bit by bit to change perceptions and improve the prospects for existing residents and particularly young people. The more that is improved and the more jobs available the less people feel the need to move away and be replaced by randoms.

The Airport enterprise zone has many businesses on there and much more planned, more sectors to be built.

These can only be seen as welcome and good things.
 
Nick Gerrard, growth and prosperity programme director for Blackpool Council, told the Levelling Up Scrutiny Committee: “By 2027 Blackpool will have a lot better facilities in the town centre, but also it will be a lot busier place and that breeds confidence.”

Mr Gerrard said the pace of change in the resort was already attracting more interest from private investors. He added: “People are wanting to see what is happening in the town and we are getting a lot more people interested in Blackpool.”

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

New seaside attractions due to be completed as soon as next year

An update has been released on the future developments over the next few years, which include an Imax cinema
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

The multiversity...

It seems negotiations for most of those undesirable properties has hit a wall and will require compulsory purchases. Whether that's awkward people, dodgy landlords maybe whoknows, but they'll soon be moved for something better, for what is one of the most exciting of regeneration projects and may lead to more to follow in the future.

www.placenorthwest.co.uk

Crunch time for Blackpool's Multiversity land assembly - Place North West

After more than a year of negotiations with landowners, the council will have to use compulsory purchase powers to acquire the majority of the three acres needed to deliver the 190,000 sq ft higher education facility, a move it describes as a "last resort".
www.placenorthwest.co.uk www.placenorthwest.co.uk

It's also interesting that they only managed to get 30% of the land needed, with our east stand facing a similar issue, I wonder if compulsory purchases will be needed there too?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top