The owner stabbed to death inside his own hotel
Plus - the latest from the Multiversity inquiry, the plans for a new hotel opposite Winter Gardens + our recommendations for the week ahead
The week began with the news that the owner of a Blackpool hotel had been stabbed to death.
Kevin Price, 59, the owner of The Garfield Hotel on Springfield Road who also lived there, was found dead on Sunday with a number of stab wounds.
Police immediately launched a murder investigation.
The hotel has been cordoned off for much of the week, with police carrying out their crime scene investigation work inside the hotel.
What was immediately apparent is how well-liked Kevin was with customers. One told The Blackpool Lead how he was ‘amazing’ with them and ‘could not do enough’ and another said he was ‘ever so sweet’.
Staff and owners at nearby businesses did not want to be named but all spoke highly of Kevin’s contribution as a ‘sole owner’ who was ‘always happy to help’.
By Wednesday, police had confirmed that they had made two arrests - a man and a woman.
On Friday morning, they confirmed they had charged those individuals with his murder.
Adam Saunders, 50, of Regent Road Blackpool and Helen Kenyon, 38, of Cheltenham Road, Blackpool appeared at Lancaster Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning, speaking only to confirm their names and addresses.
Spokespeople for Lancashire Constabulary have reiterated throughout this investigation that their thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
Everyone at The Blackpool Lead would like to send their best wishes too.
We promised to provide in-depth coverage of the Multiversity public inquiry and we were the only news outlet to have a reporter at both days it was sitting this week.
The inquiry has, so far, only heard about the benefits of the scheme rather than from any of the businesses or residents who object to it. Of course, the reality is that many who did initially object have now reluctantly left.
In December, the Multiversity public inquiry will continue and we remain committed to covering every day of it - particularly when we hear from those whose lives may be affected.
We are only able to do this with your support - so please consider taking a paid subscription to The Blackpool Lead as we near one year of delivering in-depth journalism, free of annoying advertisements and all manner of clickbait, to readers.
Benefits of Multiversity scheme pushed but week one of public inquiry hears no evidence from objecting residents
By Emily Trelfa
One of the key figures behind Blackpool’s Multiversity scheme described its proposed site as “run down” as a public inquiry into the plans continued.
Planning consultant Ed Harvey said the proposed development will improve the area visually as well as playing a key role in the town’s regeneration. Mr Harvey, who is associate director of Avison Young, was speaking at an inquiry which will decide whether Blackpool Council is allowed to force through the sales of the homes it wants to develop to make way for the new Blackpool and the Fylde College campus.
The second day of the inquiry saw the council’s third and fourth witnesses round off the first week of evidence, with two days to spare, to explain the determination for the development to go ahead. The opening days of the inquiry have not heard evidence from any objectors.
Mr Harvey was called to explain the economic public benefits of the Multiversity scheme and when asked if he had any comments on the current condition of the site and its impact on the surrounding area, said it was currently in very tired condition.
He said: “A lot of properties on the site are vacant and boarded up and the remaining properties are quite tired visually and from the site walk around we can see they are structurally as well.
“Many of the properties from inside are not in great condition and not improving either.
“That of course does have an effect on the character and appearance of the area and also the new development and regeneration across the whole gateway and CPO area.”
As expressed by Sarah Reid KC during day one’s opening statement, the council undertook a “rigorous” site selection exercise which identified the order land as the “optimum site” for development.
Ms Reid said: “There are no alternative proposals put forward by any objectors or other persons for its reuse, and no other scheme on the table that could deliver the significant social, economic and environmental benefits of this scheme.”
Mr Harvey said the Reserved Matters Proposal submitted demonstrates the scheme will transform the existing run-down environment with new landmark buildings and public green spaces which will improve the arrival experience for residents and visitors, building upon the high-quality regeneration delivered in Talbot Gateway to date.
When asked about a dedicated consultation webpage that had invited comments via an online feedback form, he said: “We had 15 respondents (65%) that were ‘very supportive’ or ‘somewhat supportive’; two respondents (12%) that were ‘neither supportive or unsupportive’ and six respondents (23%) that were ‘somewhat unsupportive’ or ‘unsupportive’.
“The only response from current objectors was from Mr Shane Hearty who objected, referencing the proposed demolition and his unhappiness at the financial offer made by the Council to purchase his property.”
He added: “Four members of the public then submitted objections to the Planning Application, three of which were from properties within the Order Land.”
The objection from Mr Hearty alleged that Blackpool Council had made an ‘inadequate effort to negotiate’ and refused to confirm the basis for the valuation of his property.
Also called to give evidence was architect and partner for Hawkins Brown architecture Katie Tonkinson who echoed Mr Mulvey’s comments and said that a key driver for the site selection was to make the college more visible, more accessible and more inclusive in a town centre location.
Miss Tonkinson said that during the inspection of the site, capacity appraisal and urban design appraisal the overall capacity of the building was 17,500 square metres and was stipulated to five stories high to meet the brief for Blackpool and the Fylde college.
When asked about the decision of the site selected, she mentioned that the above measurements resulted in the discarding of some of the sites on the basis that they were too small to accommodate the brief.
She said: “In May 2022, we were advised that the total brief of the Multiversity would need to be reduced to meet the budget. So, we needed to look carefully at the program to make sure we could make reductions to make it within the funding.
“We worked hard with the college and identified some departmental permissions from the brief which included the school of art. We also made reductions to areas such as the learning resource centre and office space and we also reduced less area of the building. So, the overall gross area was reduced to 11,250 square metres.
“The development will provide new safe and sustainable public connections, improve the biodiversity of the Town Centre and encourage people to use more nearby public transport hubs. Phase Two will allow the College to expand and deliver the original vision for the new Town Centre campus. Further amplifying the benefits and improvements established in Phase One.”
The first week of the inquiry was due to last four days but ended up lasting just over a day and a half. It is due to resume on Tuesday, December 3 for a week which will allow homeowners to present their objections.
Developers of swanky new Blackpool hotel told to commit to town's green strategy
Developers have been told to provide more information about landscaping around a proposed new hotel in Blackpool amid concerns the site will lack greenery.
Blackpool Council’s Planning Committee voted to defer an application seeking consent for reserved matters for proposals to build a a five-storey apart-hotel with 266 bedrooms on land opposite the Winter Gardens.
The scheme had been recommended for approval, but councillors have asked for further details of the proposed tree planting, with the application now set to go back before the committee in December.
Christmas By The Sea began on Friday so what better excuse to share this jaw-dropper from Blackpool photographer Gregg Wolstenholme.
The mist and lights of Blackpool made Thursday evening a photographer’s dream. A reminder that you can see and keep up with all of Gregg’s work here.
Elsewhere, we give a hearty well done to two winners of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024 just outside of Blackpool.
The first is Care for Cleveleys. Care for Cleveleys is a team of volunteers who love the town and want to be part something amazing, using their various skills to transform Cleveleys for everyone’s enjoyment. A maintenance gang look after weeding, painting and DIY jobs
Jane Littlewood is chair of Care for Cleveleys. She said: “I’m bursting with pride for the group. To receive this recognition for their achievement is such an honour. There’s an immense amount of hard work, effort and commitment made, all year round, by the most fantastic group of people.
“Together we’ve transformed our town into a quirky and interesting place for both residents and many thousands of visitors each year. Care for Cleveleys efforts aren’t just in the street scene and things that you can see – but also in the warm and friendly atmosphere that everyone feels from the town.
“It’s the camaraderie and friendship that volunteers share which makes us all want to do it. New volunteers are ALWAYS welcome too – whatever you’re good at! Everyone has a skill that we need - just come along and join in, you’ll be made to feel very welcome.”
The second is the team at Poulton-le-Fylde Community Hall. Formerly St Chad’s Church Hall, the venue was built in 1925. However, by 2010 it had become structurally unsafe and had to be saved from demolition, with restoration estimated at £300,000.
After years of fundraising and volunteer days it was reopened in 2018. Volunteers fundraised around £80,000 which was match-funded a local benefactor before volunteers and local businesses gave in-kind or pro bono support worth thousands of pounds to complete the essential structural repairs and renovations.
Sarah Welsh, chairman of the charity, said: “We are delighted and honoured to receive the King’s Award.
“This recognises the long-term commitment and support of our volunteers, who work tirelessly in their own time to help maintain and run the Community Hall for the benefit of everyone who lives or works in Poulton-le-Fylde.
“Each of our volunteers gives their time for different reasons – to give back to somewhere that has given them so much, to find fulfilment after retirement or a bereavement, to help keep a beautiful, architecturally-important building going, or to meet new friends, for example. In return, we hope this award offers them a real sense of pride and purpose.”
The week ahead from The Blackpool Lead
Your recommendations for what to see and things to do, only available to paid subscribers. We hope you have a fantastic rest of the weekend and week ahead too…
Luke & Ed
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