Local News

Think you know all of Blackpool's pubs? Well think again but, as luck would have, local builder Chris Bottomley and childhood friend Allan Wood have the ultimate guide for you. altBlackpool's Michelina chats to Chris about the book. Michelina: Please tell us a little about the book? Chris: To our knowledge, this book is the first that collates and record details of Blackpool’s pubs and well-known licensed premises. Blackpool isn't a particularly old town and its rapid development has primarily been fuelled by tourism in the last 150 years or so. To cater for the millions of visitors each year,…

Anybody who dabbles in arts and crafts in Blackpool and the Fylde probably knows where Granthams is. It’s a cornucopia of lovely stuff to feed one’s creativity and if what you want is not there, it can be got in for you. The staff are lovely and are generally artists more than willing to give a handy tip. What’s not to like? Granthams is the obvious place for gifts for the artist on your life, but why not check it out for introductory products for young people, who maybe need a bit of creative stimulation or want to trade up…

The February Showzam! Festival has varied in duration and format over the years, but the ever present has been the Carnival Ball in the fabulous Tower Ballroom. And, if you would never miss the night, or are looking for late Christmas present ideas, now is the time to snap up tickets before the price increases. Cogniscenti will know there is always a theme to the ball giving the opportunity for party goers to dress a little flamboyantly. Or perhaps a lot flamboyantly in the 2017 incarnation, with Mardi Gras the order of the day. Expect purple, green and gold to…

This cleverly written book makes the perfect stocking filler for the loveable geek in your life. Talented, local artist and writer, Gareth Monger takes you on an adventure via his distinctive writing style, inventive plot and witty humour. The author of When Fandoms Collide tells us about his new book below: Michelina: Please tells us a little about the book? Gareth: It's a 15,000-word spoof fan-fiction based on the idea that somebody wrote a crossover story involving two fandoms whose fans couldn't be more different. Twilight was a literary sensation, but now that the buzz has evaporated, it's remembered as…

Blackpool is lucky in having retained its tramway system at all, when so many other places threw trams away only to spend a fortune reinstating their systems decades later. Not only that, we have both our new state-of-the-art trams and our older vehicles: over-night ‘the trams’ became ‘the heritage trams’. Able to operate in with the new trams around the resort core using specially adapted platforms, the heritage trams are now managed by a dedicated business unit within Blackpool Transport Services. This all means that the good denizens of Blackpool can have access to Santa on the tram. In this case, the…

Ok the title probably gives it away but, just in case you didn’t know, Panto Season is upon us once more, and where better to enjoy this traditional treat than at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre? This year’s offering, Aladdin, stars Blue Peter’s Barney Harwood as Aladdin, Mark Moraghan as evil Abanazar, Philip Meeks as Widow Twankey and Lacy Jordinson as Princess Jasmine. Of course, a Grand pantomime would not be complete without panto veterans Steve Royle and Hayley Kay as Wishee Washee and The Slave of the Ring respectively. The foyer of The Grand was packed to the rafters with excited…

After dropping off my Christmas offerings at the Charabanc shop in Blackpool town centre, it was a pleasant ride south in the cold but clear air to Lytham and Lytham Hall where the Hopeful & Glorious Winter Art Fair was taking place. I had never been to the hall since moving to the Fylde, which is bad after living here for thirteen years. Turning into the drive, it’s quite a distance before the hall becomes visible, although there are fine views over the fields and autumn tinted woods to keep one entertained. Finally the impressive building comes into view, framed…

Christmas shopping can get pretty difficult when you just can’t decide what to buy for your nearest and dearest. You know, those times when socks are just too samey. When mass produced homewares or ‘Keep Calm’ canvases just won’t do the trick. Then shopping madness becomes all consuming and everything seems to turn into reindeer ornaments or multi-packs of inedible candy canes. If this description has brought you out in cold sweats, do not fear! Everyone’s favourite relative, Aunty Social, has got your back this year. Blott Studios, Charabanc Shop, Colette Halstead Glass, the Grundy Art Gallery, the Old Rock…

With the festive season fast approaching, Hopeful & Glorious Winter Art Fair returns to the stunning location of Lytham Hall for its second weekend in a row, showcasing the work of, and providing the opportunity to support, our local artists. For those searching for the perfect Christmas gift, there will be plenty of unique, quirky and contemporary art on sale from talented makers who have been handpicked for producing high quality goods. It promises to be the biggest and best art fair to date where visitors can enjoy browsing over 35 stalls brimming with the work of different artists each…