Alarm over potential collapse of developer leading Blackpool Central project
Blackpool Council reiterates its commitment to delivering the project - though it is seeking clarification from Nikal
Blackpool Council says it remains committed to the Blackpool Central project amid the potential collapse of the developer leading the works.
Warning alarms sounded this week when Nikal - which was hired to oversee the project - filed a notice of intent to appoint administrators.
It is not yet known how dire the financial situation is and while a £4.3m profit was recorded in the firm's last accounts, various warnings were raised over future challenges. Now, it appears those risks have proved true.
The £300m Blackpool Central development is billed as the biggest single investment in the town in more than a century and is planned to involve a “world-class leisure development” which would create 1,000 new jobs, bring an extra 600,000 visitors per year, and boost annual spend in the town by around £75m.
Included in those plans are a new indoor theme park; a ‘flying theatre’ where riders experience wind, fog, vibrations, etc; a bar and restaurant with rollercoaster service and hourly special effects shows, a ‘world first’ multimedia exhibition.
The development is also to include new hotels, a food market, event square and residential apartments as well as a Heritage Quarter and multi-storey parking.
On Nikal’s own website, it describes the development as “one of the UK’s most important regeneration projects.” However, the dedicated Blackpool Central site it directs visitors to features no more than a holding page with a ‘coming soon’ message.
The Manchester-based firm has been involved in other major regeneration projects and infrastructure building but was also responsible for the Altair project in Altrincham which promised to be “the ultimate destination to live, work and play” but building work never began.
Back in Blackpool, leaders remain optimistic that a better fate awaits its flagship project.
A spokesperson for Blackpool Council told The Blackpool Lead said: “We have been working on the enabling phase of Blackpool Central over the last few years. The new multi-storey car park opened earlier this summer and we are currently completing preparations to demolish the old police station and courts building early in the New Year.
“We had been negotiating with Nikal on how they would deliver the next phases of leisure and accommodation, and will [be] speaking to them to understand how this news affects those plans.
“We still have a clear commitment to deliver Blackpool Central and will be considering our next steps to progress it.”
Cllr Ivan Taylor, who represents Claremont ward, told The Blackpool Lead: "It's a very important development and obviously it's a shame to have this hiccup but it's very much our intention one way or another to proceed with it."