Since Blackpool Central railway station was closed in the 1960s its site has been slated as a strategic development opportunity. Now that vision will come to fruition as Nikal Ltd and Media Invest Entertainment in partnership with Blackpool Council, bring forward a comprehensive development scheme’s first phase. Prior to getting on site a community consultation exercise will be undertaken, maximising support for the Blackpool Central proposals as they move forward.
The final scheme will be a £300m world-class leisure destination off Blackpool’s Golden Mile. The new, year-round destination is forecast to attract an additional 600,000 visitors to Blackpool per year, boost annual spend in the town by £75m and create up to 1,000 new jobs. It will include a new indoor theme park, with a flying theatre, rides for all the family, the latest immersive virtual reality experience and a rooftop bar, also a new major public square for live events, such as music concerts, light shows, sporting events and markets, and new hotels and restaurants.
As part of the first phase, new 1,300 space multi-storey car park (MSCP) will maintain parking provision, allowing other site areas to be developed. Existing buildings will be refurbished to create a thriving new Heritage Quarter. The Grade II Listed former King Edward VII Picture House will become a new Artisan Food Hall. The locally listed King Edward VII pub will be refurbished into a new family friendly pub and hotel. The King Edward VII apartment building will become a high-quality ‘Aparthotel’. The Blackpool Town Deal – £39.5m of government funding – will help resource this bold vision, the largest single investment in Blackpool in over a century.
Richard Fee, Chairman, Nikal Ltd said:
“We will create a world-class leisure destination adding to Blackpool’s current offer and attracting hundreds of thousands of new visitors every year. The planning application for this enabling phase will get phase 1 underway. We want to understand what the local community, local businesses and visitors think of this project. Please get in touch and help us define and shape the scheme.”
Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said:
“Blackpool Central is a game-changer. We have worked with the developers for a number of years to bring this project to fruition and we are delighted that their commitment to invest in Blackpool is as strong as ever, as we move forward to the next key development stage. The scheme can provide a significant economic boost, increase footfall to benefit local businesses, and bring year-round jobs. We look forward to hearing the community’s views.”
The site is located on the south western edge of Blackpool town centre just off the Golden Mile and around 300 metres from the Blackpool Tower. It is bounded by Central Drive, Bonny Street, New Bonny Street and Chapel Street.
Once the world’s busiest railway station, Blackpool Central closed in 1964 and has since been used for car parking, occasionally hosting outdoor events such as the annual Blackpool Illuminations switch on. The wider site has hosted a police station and law courts. Blackpool Council will relocate the law courts in due course.
The first phase consultation has now closed but you can keep up to date by visiting the website or following Blackpool Central on social media:
- Blackpool Central (Facebook)
- Blackpool Central (Instagram)
- @bpoolcentral1 (Twitter)
Nikal Ltd and Media Invest Entertainment expect to submit a planning application to Blackpool Council in the Summer.
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