Blackpool Council could be forced to defend Multiversity negotiations after death of Alistair Taylor, inquest hears

The coroner will request to speak with Blackpool Council before making decision

Milbourne Street, and the Multiversity site, from above. Credit: The Blackpool Lead

An inquest examining the death of a much-loved dad and business owner could be widened to consider his interactions with Blackpool Council.

Alistair Taylor, a barber with his own shop on Topping Street, was found dead at his Milbourne Street home in October of last year. Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious and as such the matter was handed to the coroners service.

At a pre-inquest review hearing today (10 February), senior coroner Alan Wilson explained he is considering a request from Mr Taylor’s family to consider evidence of his dealings with the council in relation to the sale of his home and the closure of his barbershop at Abingdon Street Market.

As reported by The Blackpool Lead this weekend, his home is among those which will be demolished to make way for the Multiversity development which is seen by the council as a key element of Blackpool’s transformation.

Mr Taylor had been among those who objected to the plan, but later withdrew that objection when he agreed a sale.

However, his wife Donna told the hearing that the purchase of a new home had stalled around the time of Mr Taylor’s death. This, she said, had been due to Blackpool Council failing to provide information relating to the purchase of the Milbourne Street property.

Mr Taylor’s dad, Paul Taylor, also alluded to “promises [which] were made and taken away]” during the sale process.

He continued: “He got so sick and tired he just agreed to it and said ‘I need to get out’. The sale was agreed in late August but he had difficulties with the estate agent of the property he wanted to buy because he couldn’t get confirmation from the council about the property he was selling to convince them.”

While he said it was “very rare” for such an investigation to consider more than the few hours or days before a death, Mr Wilson said he wanted to hear more from Blackpool Council before making a decision.

As such, the coroner will further consider the family’s submissions and then give the council 42 days to respond to the concerns. They will then be given a further chance to respond before he makes a final decision.

Dawn Goodall, acting on behalf of Blackpool Council, indicated she was happy with the timelines set out and that Head of Investment Talha Yakub would be best placed to provide answers.

Mr Wilson also explained that if he were to widen the investigation, it would have to include the dealings with the council on both issues, not just one.