Getting under the skin of plans to transform central Blackpool

PLUS: Safe haven established for nights out in Blackpool

Luke Beardsworth

The Blackpool Lead

, and

Michael Holmes

Jan 22, 2025

Hello and welcome to the midweek edition of The Blackpool Lead.

Today we take a look at plans to transform areas of central Blackpool with the aim of tackling poverty and the overall attractiveness of the area.

The plans are far-reaching and do not aim or claim to be an overnight fix, with housing chief among the priorities for Blackpool Council.

Blackpool’s housing issue is well-documented, both by The Blackpool Lead and elsewhere, and getting to grips with a housing stock that is 74% substandard should be essential.

Elsewhere in Blackpool, a safe haven has been introduced for those who feel vulnerable or otherwise unsafe on a night out.

It’s a topic we’ve covered in-depth on The Blackpool Lead before so, if you’re a new reader, we’ve included that so you can have some further context on why that has been necessary.

Thanks for reading and we’ll be back with you on Sunday.

‘We want people to love where they live’

An artist's impression of how a revamped Central Drive would look under the council's plans

By Michael Holmes

Ambitious plans to transform swathes of central Blackpool - one of the country’s poorest areas - to tackle poverty and dilapidation have been revealed.

They would take years to pull off, such is the scale of challenge ahead, but the end result will be a “desirable and sustainable neighbourhood that celebrates Blackpool’s unique heritage and setting”, the council’s masterplan promises.

Guesthouses-cum-bedsits and run-down terraced homes are set to be replaced by new, energy-efficient homes and green spaces - which should lead to less crime, healthier residents, less overcrowding in the private rented sector and less homelessness.

Council leader Lynn Williams, who described “housing regeneration” as the authority’s “obsession for the last 10 years”, said: “I am very confident that when we get to 2040 we will be well on our way to realising the vision that is outlined in the regeneration framework for housing transformation in Blackpool.

“I want people to love where they live. We want to provide homes that are modern, comfortable, desirable and meet the needs of local people in Blackpool, both those that live here now and in the future.”

The Blackpool Lead has scrutinised a 32-page document outlining town hall bosses’ aspirations for the area, which was picked ahead of others in the resort because it needs a drastic overhaul the most - and has “the worst combination of social, economic and demographic deprivation” in the town.

The papers reveal:

Some 74% of inspected homes in the area have been found to be sub-standard, with 67% found to be so hazardous they could lead to serious harm or death;
A fall in the number of holidaymakers visiting the resort since the 1960s has been blamed for what is now a “dysfunctional and unbalanced housing supply that attracts low income and vulnerable households, resulting in increased anti-social behaviour and crime”;
Central Drive, with its “gradual sprawl”, and Foxhall, whose conservation area is in a “poor condition”, have been singled out as specific eyesores, as has the Prom in that area, because of “poor quality seafront buildings” that “fail to offer the necessary positive visitor experience and act as a negative gateway”;
Diamonds in the rough include Revoe Park, Foxhall Village and the Tower, with views of the 518ft landmark set to be “retained, created and framed”;
New homes will have private front gardens, with trees and hedges set to be planted alongside wildflowers in a bid to reverse the area’s current jungle of concrete; and
Three-, four- and five-storey buildings will have retail and community use on the ground floor and residential on the upper floors.

Council papers say: “The current opportunity is recognised as the first phase of a 15+ year programme of regeneration for the inner area.

“The council acknowledges that delivery of this level of transformational change will be challenging and take time to achieve. It will involve working up detailed plans and proposals that will be informed by engagement with the Blackpool community, stakeholders and partners.”

Taxpayers’ cash, believed to be made up of £90.4m announced by the government last March, will initially be used to drive the massive project in the hope early efforts - which will including buying land and property, demolition, designing and holding public consultations - will encourage private investment, which would “demonstrate that we have succeeded in changing the local housing market”, documents say.

Dodgy landlords will also be targeted.

The masterplan says: “It is the council’s ambition to transform the housing market through redevelopment and refurbishment, creating a revitalised and sustainable neighbourhood that provides a choice of high-quality homes.”

It adds: “We know that we will need to find more public money and to attract private sector investment but this marks the start of our journey to ensure that our housing offer responds to our vision for growth and our commitment to support our residents.”

But what if more money from the public purse - or private ones - cannot be found?

Williams did not answer directly but said in a statement: “We have worked really hard to grow our relationship with central government, Homes England and others so more people understand the very specific housing issues we face here in Blackpool. We have told our regeneration story far and wide and what we know can be done to help address some of Blackpool’s housing issues.

“We are now in a very good position; central government and Homes England understand Blackpool and are extremely supportive. This is how we have been able to attract the levels of funding to date and the ongoing support which we hope to have for many years to come.”

She continued: “We will see major positive transformation in housing in Blackpool over the coming years using funding we have secured. More importantly, we now have those relationships with public funders and improving relationships and awareness with the private sector.

“We are confident that this will continue.”

Guesthouses-cum-bedsits and run-down terraced homes are set to be replaced under the plans

Cllr Paul Galley, leader of the opposition on the council, said the masterplan “presents a significant opportunity to reverse largely 30 years of Blackpool Labour Council’s decline”.

He said: “This council is unlikely to deliver meaningful results as it involves its two weakest areas: managing building projects and handling finances, and they will end up outsourcing this to organisations that do not understand Blackpool.”

Galley said his “heart sank” when he read about ambitions for a plaza at the “gateways (sic) to Central Drive” that “will create a practical sense of arrival into the core of the neighbourhood while celebrating this (sic) important buildings and creating spaces for events”.

The Anchorsholme councillor, who described urban regeneration as a passion of his, said: “This feels so disconnected from the needs of local residents.

“The outcome is predictable: millions wasted and minimal progress. Even the council’s own delivery report acknowledges the limited impact - two years of discussion, three years of piecemeal development and vague aspirations to attract private sector investment. Meanwhile, much of inner Blackpool will remain uncharged, if not in further decline.

“But it doesn’t have to be this way. This could be a turning point - a chance to initiate a transformative journey that brings real, positive change to Blackpool’s most disadvantaged areas, from Central Drive to Bond Street.”

Galley said the council could achieve this by hosting a private sector builders conference, inviting local building firms, property developers and estate agents to collaborate while exploring financial models to support them, establishing a Blackpool investment company, creating a local investment vehicle to allow investors of all sizes to contribute, partnering with the “right visionaries” and engaging with organisations such as the Kings Foundation and firms like Adam Architecture, which were key to designing Poundbury, a royal experimental urban extension on the outskirts of Dorchester in Dorset.

“This is a moment to be bold, to learn from successful models and to embrace innovative solutions,” Galley said.

“Blackpool deserves a plan that delivers real results, not just empty promises. With the right leadership, this initiative could mark the beginning of a brighter future for our central neighbourhoods.”

Williams said: “The regeneration framework outlines the initial area we will be focusing on. It is broadly between Chapel Street and Rigby Road and the Promenade and Central Drive corridor.

“These have been identified as the initial areas of focus for detailed scheme development, community engagement and property acquisitions in preparation for future development.

“Specific properties/land have not yet been identified; this is expected to be decided in the coming weeks. However, we have already started engagement with properties in the wider area and nearly 3,000 homes have been visited and asked to fill out a questionnaire and share their views.

“A questionnaire is also available on the council’s website for people to give information and their views. A formal consultation on the next steps is planned for early this year.”

Asked about the dangerous homes uncovered during inspections, the council leader said the authority has “used all powers and tools available to us under the Housing Act to take enforcement action against landlords and/or agents”.

She added: “Last year we also applied to the Secretary of State to set up a new wider selective licensing scheme in inner Blackpool covering approximately 11,000 private rented properties. This scheme has been agreed and will come into force on April 1.

The Blackpool Lead approached the four Labour councillors elected in the two wards covered by the council’s plans - Lisette Roe and Portia Webb in Tyldesley and Mel Fenlon and Jim Hobson in Bloomfield - to ask for their views and those of their constituents.

It had not received any responses at the time of going to print.

Meanwhile, plans have been lodged to turn the floors above The Albert And Lion pub, in Bank Hey Street in the shadow of the Tower, into 65 flats.

The floors used to be occupied by Sports Direct before the retailer moved into the Houndshill Shopping Centre.

Harry Whyte from Gape Equity in Nottingham has applied for planning permission to create a mix of studios and one- and two-bedroom self-contained apartments with “minimal alterations”.

No external alterations are proposed. The pub, a Wetherspoon branch, will not be affected.

The plans are unusual because they would see homes right in the middle of the town centre and, if approved, could set a precedent for further developments there.

‘Safe haven’ launched for anyone feeling vulnerable or scared on a night out in Blackpool

By Shelagh Parkinson

Anyone feeling vulnerable or scared on a night out in Blackpool will be able to seek help at a new safe haven which has been launched in the town centre.

An officially designated Safe Space will be open each Saturday from 10pm until 3am in premises on Clifton Street which is in the heart of the town’s club and bar scene.

Once inside people can recuperate, charge their mobiles and get treatment for minor injuries. They can also access the Safer Taxi scheme to get back home in accredited taxis.

Anyone needing assistance will be able to recognise the space – in the reception area of The Place – for Skills and Work building at number one Clifton Street, thanks to Safe Space flags outside.

It will be managed by Blackpool and the Fylde Street Angels, who also walk about the town centre and helping people who appear vulnerable, have lost their friends, or struggling to get home.

Pubs and clubs have also been made aware of the scheme so their staff can walk people to the Safe Space if they need help.

The Safe Space was piloted in the town last year and has been launched by the Blackpool Community Safety Partnership which includes the council, police and the Street Angels.

Coun Paula Burdess, cabinet member for community safety, neighbourhoods and street scene said: “Since the scheme was piloted in the summer we have successfully managed to help a number of people who may have been in difficulty and needed a helping hand.”

Chief Inspector John Jennings-Wharton, of Blackpool police, said: “Keeping our communities safe is a top priority for us, and the addition of Safe Space will assist the Blackpool Community Safety Partnership in continuing to do so.

“Safe Space will provide support to all those who may be vulnerable and in need of assistance, but we would always encourage you to report to us on 101 if you have any concerns, or in an emergency, or if a crime is ongoing, call 999 too.”

The initiative was originally conceived and developed following the launch of Blackpool’s #itstopshere campaign in 2021 which supports the movement to create a safer environment and stop violence against women and girls.