Family home of Alistair Taylor raided by thugs after Multiversity announcement

PLUS: Jobs fair coming to Blackpool this week

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Feb 26, 2025

Hello and welcome to The Blackpool Lead.

We’ve reported at length on the Multiversity development - the good it is hoped the project will deliver for the area, but also the issues in terms of Blackpool Council displacing (and compensating) a community.

The case of Alistair Taylor is particularly distressing - found dead shortly after agreeing to sell his property after long negotiations where the council were accused of ‘insidious’ tactics. A full inquest will look at any and all potential factors that contributed to his death at an unconfirmed date.

His home - agreed for sale to the council in November - was raided by thugs last week and a boiler was ripped from the wall.

It has raised questions over why the property was not protected like others in the area.

We also report on the jobs fair coming to Blackpool this week that will hope to provide a boost for the 7% unemployed in the area.

Home of Blackpool dad-of-four raided after being left unprotected

By Luke Beardsworth

The unprotected home of Alistair Taylor. Credit: The Blackpool Lead

The home of a dad-of-four who died after long negotiations with the council over acquiring his home was raided by thugs last week, The Blackpool Lead can reveal.

Alistair Taylor was found dead at his home on Milbourne Street at the age of 34 in October 2024. He was a much-loved local barber and his death sparked an outpouring of emotion from the local community.

The Milbourne Street home was the subject of extended negotiations between Alistair and Blackpool Council with the latter wanting to acquire the property for its ambitious Multiversity development.

Those negotiations concluded shortly before Alistair’s death when he agreed to sell his home. A public inquiry concluded early this year that the council’s approach had been fair and that the council could acquire any remaining contested property in the area through Compulsory Purchase Orders.

An inquest has opened into Alistair Taylor’s death and the coroner is due to make a decision on whether Blackpool Council will need to explain why its behaviour during negotiations - criticised by Alistair Taylor’s representatives as ‘insidious’ - was acceptable.

But while the homes around Alistair’s had been fitted with metal shutters by Blackpool Council to protect them from burglary and anti-social behaviour, his former home had been left unprotected.

On Sunday, 16 February, shortly after Blackpool Council announced it would acquire any remaining properties under powers granted by the public inquiry, the Milbourne Street property was burgled.

The entrance was covered by a thin sheet of plywood - erected by Alistair’s family after they broke down his front door on the day his body was discovered in 2024 but scant protection compared with the metal shutters on surrounding properties - and those involved in the burglary removed this to gain entry.

The property was mostly unoccupied but the burglars ripped the boiler from the wall before fleeing the scene.

Significant water damage was caused to the property as a result.

Lancashire Constabulary are investigating the incident, The Blackpool Lead understands, but no arrests have been made at this time.

The Blackpool Lead asked Blackpool Council why the property had not been protected like others in the area.

A spokesperson said that, at the time of the incident on 16 February, the property had not yet been technically acquired by the council despite the deal being finalised in November.

The council added that they do now own the property and it will therefore be made secure in line with others in the area.

A pre-inquest review into Alistair Taylor’s death took place on 10 February with his family requesting that the coroner consider Blackpool Council’s potential role - relating to both the sale of his home and the closure of his barbershop at the former Abingdon Street Market.

The Multiversity development is seen by the council as a key element of Blackpool’s transformation.

At that inquest opening, his wife Donna and father Paul described delays to the sale process which they believe are essential for the coroner to include before he makes 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.

A spokesperson for Blackpool Council told The Blackpool Lead on the eve of the inquest opening: “This is a desperately sad situation and the family have our deepest sympathies. However, it would be wrong to speculate on the matter until the inquest is concluded.”

We’re delighted to say Cosy Homes in Lancashire is supporting independent, in-depth journalism in Lancashire by sponsoring The Blackpool Lead and The Lancashire Lead. Discover how they can help you improve energy efficiency in your home and keep it warmer.

1,000 job opportunities at Winter Gardens job fair this week

By Shelagh Parkinson

Around a thousand job opportunities will be available as the Winter Gardens hosts a job fair with more than 100 local employers taking part.

With the unemployment rate in Blackpool currently running at seven per cent, compared to the national rate of 4.4 per cent, it is hoped the event will help many people find work.

Businesses taking part include tourism and entertainment leaders such as Pleasure Beach Resort, the Grand Theatre, Choice Hotels, Haven Holidays, Premier Inn and Hampton by Hilton.

Employers will be offering informal conversations and interviews with a view to hiring on the day, or calling potential employees back for formal interviews, giving attendees the chance to secure new careers on the spot.

With support from local Job Centres, the event will open with a morning session from 9.30am to 12.30pm for those most in need of work in Blackpool, who are currently claiming unemployment benefits.

Up to 3,000 people are expected to attend this session, where they can meet employers from a wide range of sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, retail, tourism, education and more.

From 12.30pm to 4.30pm, the event will be open to the general public, who can sign up in advance via chriswebb.org/jobsfair.

The jobs fair has been organised by Blackpool South MP Chris Webb, who will be joined by Employment Minister Alison McGovern. The pair will also visit The Cliffs Hotel in North Shore, part of Choice Hotels which works closely with job centres and Blackpool and the Fylde College on recruitment.

Mr Webb said: “Low wages and high unemployment have long been a barrier to economic prosperity in Blackpool. Providing access to better-paid jobs is crucial for the future of our community.

“Blackpool Jobs Fair aims to not only provide entry level employment, but to connect local people with high-quality job opportunities that offer competitive wages and long-term career prospects.

“The social value of this event will be huge too. Well-paid, stable employment is directly linked to better mental health, reduced crime rates and improved family stability.

“For many local residents, securing a meaningful job could be life-changing – offering financial security, a sense of purpose and the chance to break the cycle of poverty. “

Mr Webb also wants to break the cycle of low wages with the average weekly wage for a full-time employee in the town just £591, compared to £696 in the North West and £728 nationally.

Event details:

Date: Thursday February 27 2025

Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm: for those currently claiming unemployment benefits 12.30pm – 4.30pm: for the general public

Location: Winter Gardens Conference Centre, Blackpool

Sign-up: Employers and the general public can pre-register to attend at chriswebb.org/jobsfair.