Hello and welcome to The Blackpool Lead.

The FREE Switch-On event isn’t so free after all.

Between £25,000 and £100,000 will be generated for Blackpool Council for the event this year after a £5 booking fee was implemented for the first time.

The charges have not been reported in any meaningful way elsewhere, but critics have said they change the vibe of an event that has always been free to attend. Time will tell if it succeeds in preventing no-shows.

Blackpool briefing

Blackpool Council leader Lynn Williams says she believes not having one of the “best-known places in the country” in the name of the new council for the town and its neighbouring districts is a “missed opportunity”.

The Labour politician said that she had wanted the new authority – which is on track to be christened Fylde Coast Council – to be called ‘Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Council’, but had been unable to get the necessary agreement of the two other authorities in the arrangement.

“I wanted it to have a name that people could understand immediately,” Cllr Williams said.

“Blackpool is the economic and cultural centre of this part of Lancashire – [and] it’s also internationally recognised. But if you ask someone outside of Lancashire – and even some people within it – ‘Where’s the Fylde coast?’ they wouldn’t have a clue.

“[So] people aren’t going to know where Fylde Coast Council is – they’re just not. It’s a bit of a shame really.”

She added that she was hopeful “progress” could be made on the issue once the new authority was operating in fully-fledged form in 2028 and had the opportunity to re-name itself if its members can come to an agreed position.

In response, Karen Buckley, the Conservative leader of Fylde Council, said the ‘Fylde Coast Council’ name “aptly fits the geography of the area and is widely used already by residents, businesses, tourism bodies, health services and media”.

“It is recognisable and authentic – and we’re happy to stick with it,” Cllr Buckley added.

Meanwhile, Wyre Council’s Conservative leader Michael Vincent said he did not believe that ‘Blackpool Fylde and Wyre’ was “a better name than Fylde Coast Council”.

“If people don’t know where the Fylde coast is, then it’s up to the new council to put it on the map,” Cllr Vincent said.

💷 The owner of Poundland has declined to comment on reports that it has put the discount chain up for sale.

Gordon Brothers, an American-based investment firm, acquired Poundland in July 2025 for a token £1 and immediately closed 200 shops, leaving it with 600.

On the Fylde coast, it currently has branches in Bank Hey Street and Squires Gate. The chain’s Cleveleys store closed in March this year.

Although Poundland has been approached for a comment, it has not confirmed industry reports it is to auction off its 600 stores, including the two on the Fylde coast.

It currently employs around 12,000 people across the country.

The reports cast doubts about the future of the chain, despite the fact it appears to have enjoyed something of an upturn in trade in 2026.

🛎️ A long-established seafront hotel is to get a change of name after a new operator took over – and the re-launch will see a new Indian restaurant open as well.

The Harlands Hotel in Bispham is being rebranded as The Royal Bay Hotel, following an extensive revamp, and the former Kesariya Fusion restaurant in the hotel is to reopen under the Royal Bay banner.

The big changes will be ushered in on Friday August 28, when a Bollywood-style launch is being planned for the reopening of the restaurant.

The upgraded hotel is already up and running but will be given its new name on the same day.

The new man is charge is 34 year old Jay Chuttugulla, who has already set about revamping the upstairs and ground floor of the 23-bed hotel, at 298 Queens Promenade.

Indian-born Jay, who has a Masters degree in IT and hospitality management, spent time in the hospitality trade in Australia before heading to the UK and Blackpool.

Share

Blackpool Council forced to defend stealth charge on ‘free’ Switch-On tickets

Blackpool Illuminations switch-on. Credit: Visit Blackpool

By Michael Holmes

Tourism bosses in Blackpool have been accused of getting “greedy” after introducing a booking fee of up to £5 for “free” Switch-On tickets.

For the first time, those entering a ballot for the annual event have had to cough up a fiver within 24 hours - or face losing the tickets.

Town hall chiefs say they have been forced to act after no-shows in recent years - but have faced an avalanche of criticism on the official I Love Blackpool Facebook page.

One woman, Emma Lou, said she was “absolutely gutted” to miss out after being unable to afford the fee until pay day.

Jason Davies said he refused his ticket after finding out about the hidden cost.

And Paul Jackson said the “council got greedy”.

The booking fee has been introduced for two key reasons, a spokesperson for the council’s arm’s-length company Blackpool Tourism said.

“Firstly, to help cover the administration costs associated with the ticketing process, including the distribution of tickets and the redemption/entry process on the night of the event,” they said.

“Secondly, each year we see a drop-off of up to 30% between people accepting tickets and attending on the night.

Blackpool Council forced to defend stealth…

Comments on this post are for subscribers