Investigation into Central Pier concludes after woman suffered serious injuries falling through access hatch
PLUS: Plan to tackle abandoned properties across Blackpool
Hello and welcome to The Blackpool Lead.
In August 2024, a woman fell through Central Pier onto the beach below, then the national, and in some cases international, press followed.
Predictably, what also followed was those titles publishing images of the woman lying on the beach in clear distress. That wasn’t a decision we necessarily agreed with.
But more predictably than that, none of those titles have followed up the story to report what has gone wrong, if anyone is to blame and if anything needs fixing.
The Blackpool Lead can this week report that despite an investigation into the pier making a number of recommendations to owners, and owners putting new measures in place after the incident, the pier will not face any legal action.
We asked lots of questions, some of which were answered, some of which weren’t - but they were only asked by our team.
Elsewhere this week, we report on a new plan to try to improve the issue of empty properties across Blackpool.
The conversation being had by the council in terms of empty properties focuses on how those dwellings can become an eyesore and attract anti-social behaviour.
Thank you for reading. Remember to get in touch with any feedback or thoughts to blackpool@thelead.uk.
Pier bosses will not face legal action after woman crashed 30 feet onto beach
By Michael Holmes
Central Pier bosses will face no legal action after a woman plummeted 30 feet through an access hatch on to the beach, it can be revealed.
The woman, in her 50s, suffered serious injuries - including a smashed elbow - and was lucky to survive, one rescuer told The Blackpool Lead on the condition of anonymity.
If she had not fallen on to her side she could have been fatally wounded, while she could have gone under the waves had the tide been in, they said.
“With a broken elbow, you would only have one arm to swim and two legs. Your arms do most of the effort when you’re swimming,” they said.
“It would have been a softer landing but she could have drowned.”
Emergency services were called and onlookers rushed to help the woman after her fall at about 4.30pm on August 6.
She is believed to have smashed her elbow on the hatch before taking out a water pipe as she fell.
She was given first aid before being stretchered from the beach, crying out in agony with every step across the sand towards a waiting ambulance.
In the accident’s immediate aftermath, the pier was evacuated and closed and an investigation was opened by Blackpool Council.
That probe has now wrapped up.
The authority said the woman “fell through an access hatch in the decking” after the “fixtures holding the hatch in place failed”.
“The investigation has concluded and we have advised Blackpool Piers (which owns the landmark) that we won’t be taking any further enforcement/legal action,” a spokeswoman said.
She continued: “Over the course of the investigation, the team examined documents including risk assessments, maintenance records, plans, schedules of work and an extensive structural review of the decking on all three piers.
“Due to the measures that have been taken in response to the incident, we do not consider legal proceedings to be in the public interest.
“We are satisfied that action has been taken to ensure the safety of all hatches across all piers.
“We haven’t taken enforcement action against anyone in relation to this incident.”
The Blackpool Lead contacted Blackpool Pier Company, which owns all of the resort’s piers, for a comment prior to publication.
It also asked a number of questions, including in relation to the hatch’s safety record and what consequences a council prosecution could have had for one of the town’s best-known tourist attractions.
The firm said in a statement: "Following the incident at Central Pier, we have worked closely with the local authority during their investigation to assist as much as possible.
"We continue to work closely with the local authority going forwards.
"Our thoughts remain with the person involved and we wish her a speedy recovery."
Catch up on our big story from mid-week
1,500 empty homes in Blackpool to be targeted by new council plan
By Shelagh Parkinson
Action to reduce the number of empty properties across Blackpool is set to be stepped up after it was revealed there were 1,500 empty homes in the resort last year.
The figure represents just more than two per cent of the total housing stock in the town in private ownership, but a report has warned such empty properties can become a magnet for vandalism.
Now councillors are being asked to approve a new strategy to reduce the number of empty properties by enabling the council to work more closely with owners to bring buildings back into use.
But if owners refuse to co-operate and persistently leave a property empty, they could face sanctions including a compulsory purchase order or empty dwelling management order.
A report to a meeting of the council’s executive, which is being recommended to approve the strategy when it meets on Monday January 20, says: “Long term empty properties can become a significant issue, leading to community complaints, use of resources to attempt to address and resolve issues and can be a magnet for anti-social behaviour.”
Properties which are left empty for a long time also cost the council money from unpaid council tax. The report says there were about 1,500 homes empty in Blackpool at one point during 2024.
Long term empty business premises will also be targeted by the new strategy, including hotels while abandoned refurbishment projects will also come under its umbrella.
The new four year action plans hopes to achieve a number of goals including a reduction in anti-social behaviour and vandalism and helping neighbourhoods by improving the appearance of eyesore buildings.
Owners will be given advice and support to renovate their properties for sale or rent, with stronger action taken if premises are left empty too long and become a problem for the local community.
Among the long-term empty properties in Blackpool are three boarded up hotels including the former Allandale Hotel, on the junction of Queen Street and Abingdon Street opposite Central Library, which have been derelict for years.
Council chiefs say talks are planned with a potential developer for the site which has repeatedly sparked complaints from councillors.
A true Blackpool icon - Linda Nolan
Linda Nolan, a member of pop group the Nolans, has died at the age of 65.
She passed peacefully at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on Wednesday morning, her agent said.
Described as a 'true Blackpool icon', Nolan was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and given the all clear in 2011, but in 2017 was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. It spread and by 2023 was in her brain.
Blackpool Grand Theatre said in a statement: "An incredibly sad day, our hearts go out to the Nolan family (Anne, Denise, Maureen and Coleen.) from us all at the Blackpool Grand Theatre. Linda Nolan was a true Blackpool icon.
“RIP Linda, you will always be a shining star!"
Dermot McNamara, her agent, said: "Linda's legacy extends beyond her incredible achievements in music and entertainment.
“She was a beacon of hope and resilience, sharing her journey to raise awareness and inspire others. Rest in peace, Linda. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten."
Linda raised over £20m for charities including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society and Samaritans.
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