The Blackpool Lead

The Blackpool Lead

Home
History
Housing
Impactful Storytelling
Archive
About

Culture

Illuminations row escalates as cost of Llewelyn-Bowen designs to taxpayer set out
Llewelyn-Bowen's contributions to the Illuminations have come under fire from the Conservative leader of the opposition
 • Luke Beardsworth
A shower of poo is still pumped into Blackpool sea despite water bills surging
At this stage, no poo in the sea would be more newsworthy
 • Luke Beardsworth and The Blackpool Lead
Who pays for Blackpool to have a world-class arena?
Plans for an arena in Blackpool are ambitious and not without obstacles - but there aren't many confident enough to rule them out
 • Luke Beardsworth and The Blackpool Lead
Under the skin of the decision to extend the Illuminations season in Blackpool
It has been welcomed by the businesses it aims to support - but there remains scepticism in the council opposition ranks
 • Luke Beardsworth and The Blackpool Lead
Long waits at Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s A&E department lead surge in distressing sores
PLUS: What really happened with Backlot Cinema?
 • Luke Beardsworth, The Blackpool Lead, Michael Holmes, and Jamie Lopez
Inside the deal to return Blackpool Tower to council control
PLUS: Who has been whacked on the knuckles over failures to pay the minimum wage?
 • Luke Beardsworth, The Blackpool Lead, Michael Holmes, and Jamie Lopez
Building-sized hand-painted adverts could provide Blackpool a Victorian cure for ugly buildings
PLUS: Anti-social hotspots of Blackpool revealed in new report
 • Luke Beardsworth, Michael Holmes, and The Blackpool Lead
Showtown job losses less than a year after opening with big changes behind the scenes
PLUS: Council tax plans and our recommendations for the week ahead
 • Luke Beardsworth, The Blackpool Lead, and Michael Holmes
For adults only: How Jacob Epstein's work was played for shock value on the Golden Mile
Historian Robert Leach writes for The Blackpool Lead about Sir Jacob Epstein's work and how it was presented in Blackpool
 • The Blackpool Lead
The troubled past, present and future of Eat Indian
PLUS: Multiversity decision made and our recommendations for the week ahead
 • Luke Beardsworth, The Blackpool Lead, and Jamie Lopez
Historic TVR building comes down - but there are plans to honour heritage
PLUS: Fire hits a derelict hotel in Blackpool
 • Luke Beardsworth, The Blackpool Lead, and Michael Holmes
Redundancy plan for Blackpool Heritage Tram workers despite assurances services will return
PLUS: NHS staff reluctant to get vaccinated ahead of winter surge in infections
 • Luke Beardsworth, The Blackpool Lead, and Jamie Lopez
© 2026 The Blackpool Lead · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture