Blackpool Council has submitted plans to improve housing quality around Central Drive, as part of its wider vision to restore the area back to its heyday.

The council has submitted a hybrid planning application to demolish up to 300 densely populated properties and build a new neighbourhood, made up of 230 energy efficient homes, new shops, green spaces, community facilities and flexible workspaces.

The proposals cover around 5.4 hectares of land just south of the town centre, focused on Central Drive and surrounding streets and is a major intervention to make Central Drive an area where local Blackpool people want to live and raise their children in.

It also supports the council’s wider ambitions to make Central Drive better, including bringing international investors to create a new large leisure scheme to create local jobs, building more social housing at Foxhall Village, a new community sports village at Blackpool Football Club and improvements to Revoe Park.

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said:

“People have been telling us for decades that we need to do something about Central Drive and the surrounding area – and this is exactly what we plan to do.

“Our major regeneration plans are aimed to make the area somewhere people want to raise their children in because of quality homes, nice streets and play areas, reduced crime, lower energy bills and more jobs.

“We have been given a once in a generation opportunity to transform one of the areas most in need of regeneration in Blackpool. The area is the third most deprived in the country and doing nothing is not an option. Smaller schemes have been tried before and have failed – this area and the people who live here deserve something transformational.

“People who live in Layton and Grange Park have benefitted from better neighbourhoods in recent years and Central Drive deserves that too. This isn’t about gentrification – it’s about creating a better area for Blackpool people to live in. I want that to be quality social housing for local people.

“I completely understand that this is difficult for residents who are now looking to move but I want to reassure everybody that there is a full support team to help them find somewhere suitable to live and be compensated for the disruption. If that involves staying local, then we will try everything to make that happen.”

The hybrid planning application seeks full planning permission to demolish up to 300 existing properties. Of the properties, some are already empty, while more than 70% of owners in the area have asked for an offer and over 100 have agreed to sell their property already.

Of the people who have moved house, many have been supported to find a more suitable place to live, while staying in the local area.

The planning application also seeks outline planning consent to build 230 modern, energy efficient homes. The council’s ambition is for all the new houses to be social housing, helping to break the stranglehold of private rented housing in the area.

Social housing is available for Blackpool residents with a local connection to Blackpool, either from living on the Fylde coast for more than three years, working here or having family in the area. In total, the application aims to create more than 1,000 bed spaces for local residents. This would add to the 88 new social housing properties currently nearing completion at Foxhall Village and the 200 new social homes built in the area in the last ten years.

The increase in social housing in the area is expected to start rebalancing the local housing market and offer better choice for families, workers and older residents. The plans allow for affordable housing, specialist accommodation and well managed rented homes.

The proposals form the first phase of the wider Blackpool Central Housing Regeneration Area Framework, which was most recently consulted on with the public in March 2026. The framework sets out a long term ambition to improve housing and the environment across inner Blackpool over the next 15 years. While there are currently no approved plans or funding for further phases, the council remains committed to regenerating central Blackpool as opportunities arise.

The scheme benefits from £90.4 million of government funding, secured in March 2024 through Homes England, enabling the council to intervene at a scale that would not otherwise be possible.

The plans have been shaped by extensive pre application engagement with planning officers, technical consultees and key stakeholders, alongside wide ranging public consultation carried out since August 2024. A full Environmental Impact Assessment accompanies the application.

If approved, demolition work would begin in phases, with new homes and public spaces delivered over several years. Detailed designs for buildings, streets and green spaces will be brought forward through future reserved matters applications, providing further opportunities for public engagement.

People currently living in the affected area are being encouraged to engage with the local team who can support with finding a new home and accessing compensation. The team are available at Ibbison Community Centre for general advice and a chat every Tuesday 9.00am to 4.30pm, Thursday 9.00am to 12noon and Friday 9.00am to 1.00pm.

For more information, visit www.blackpool.gov.uk/housingregen.

A planning press notice will be published in the Blackpool Gazette, site notices will be displayed in the area, and individual letters will be posted to residents in the coming days. The planning application number is 26/0306.

Blackpool’s Grundy Art Gallery has welcomed thousands of art lovers to see a painting by Claude Monet.

More than 4,000 people have visited the gallery already this spring, more than doubling the average visitor numbers for the same period as last year.

The Grundy is hosting Claude Monet’s ‘The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil’ (1872) until 13 June as part of the National Gallery Masterpiece Tour 2025-2027.

Blackpool is the first place in the north-west to display the French Impressionist’s oil on canvas piece, which has only otherwise left The National Gallery once in the last 20 years.

Paulette Brien, Curator at Grundy Art Gallery, said:

“It’s been a privilege to host the Monet painting as part of the Masterpiece Tour.

“We’ve chatted to many visitors who’ve told us they feel privileged to see a Monet not only outside of a big city, but in their hometown. We’ve also had people visiting from as far afield as Versailles and Oregon, USA.

“And to hear local people say things like ‘the Grundy is doing amazing work’, just reinforces how important art galleries and museums like ours are in people’s lives.”

Blackpool’s place in the National Gallery Masterpiece Tour reinforces the town’s position as a thriving hub for arts and culture, as it bids to be UK City of Culture 2029. It also comes as Grundy Art Gallery celebrates its 115th birthday this year.

Blackpool Council is working with Creative Blackpool to develop the City of Culture bid. If successful, Blackpool would receive £10m to host a year-long celebration of arts and culture for the benefit of residents, visitors and businesses.

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council and Cabinet Member for Tourism, Arts and Culture, added:

“The Grundy Art Gallery is just one of our many cultural gems in Blackpool.

“This latest exhibition has been one of a number of springboards for our City of Culture bid and the thousands of people making the trip to the Grundy demonstrate the real appetite for arts and culture in Blackpool. We are so lucky to have access to so much culture, right on our doorstep.

“Having the opportunity to see a world-renowned Monet painting here in Blackpool is incredibly important. Art of this significance, master pieces, should be accessible to everyone, and bringing works like this to the town helps break down barriers, ensuring that people of all ages and backgrounds can experience internationally celebrated culture without needing to travel to London or Manchester.

“It also challenges outdated perceptions of Blackpool, showcasing our town as a place where culture, creativity and ambition thrive. We’re all thrilled that so many people, young and old and from near and far, have been to see the Monet painting and felt inspired by it.”

Hundreds of schoolchildren have also visited and been inspired by the Monet painting.

More than 600 children from 10 primary and secondary schools have joined the Grundy x Monet schools programme, touring the gallery and seeing the oil painting up close.

Led by freelance artist Tina Dempsey, the children have learned about Monet’s technique of portraying light and reflection and then created their own artwork. These are now being displayed in the foyer of the Grundy, creating an ever-growing, collaborative artwork.

The painting has inspired young people from The Magic Club, too. Working with artist Kelly Jayne Jones, members of the Claremont-based youth club produced a new sound work in response to their experience of the painting, with this now being available for visitors to listen to alongside the Monet.

The Monet painting is being shown alongside a solo exhibition by the contemporary North West-based painter Louise Giovanelli, whose luminous paintings display her own expert skill at capturing light, reflection and shadow.

The Monet exhibition continues until Saturday 13 June. Louise Giovanelli’s exhibition continues until Sunday 28 June.

Residents are being encouraged to back Blackpool Council’s City of Culture bid. Visit www.blackpool.gov.uk/cityofculture to share your support.

Upside Down House UK is set to open its largest attraction to date this May on Blackpool’s iconic Promenade, marking a major milestone for the company.

Opening this Friday, 29th May, the new site will be the biggest Upside Down House in the UK, featuring an expanded experience with 13 uniquely themed rooms designed to surprise, entertain, and create unforgettable moments.

Finished in sky blue, the exterior nods to its seaside home near South Pier, but that’s where normality ends. Step inside and prepare for an experience that quite literally turns your perspective upside down. This is an illusion like you’ve never seen before, where floors become ceilings and gravity is flipped on its head. Each room blends immersive design with a touch of humour, inviting visitors to explore a world that doesn’t quite behave as it should. From a circus-themed playroom full of playful chaos, to a quirky teen bedroom packed with unexpected surprises, a BookTok-inspired reading nook, an interactive games room, and a bold leopard-print master bedroom. Every corner is designed to amuse, confuse, and delight.

It’s a surreal, laugh-out-loud experience where nothing is quite as it seems… and that’s exactly the point!

Created for families, tourists, and content creators alike, the attraction is set to become one of Blackpool’s must-visit attractions.

Tickets are now on sale, offering an exclusive 20% discount for the first 100 tickets purchased online.

Alex Barbary, Associate Director at Upside Down House UK, said:

“We’re going bigger and better than ever. This is our largest Upside Down House to date, and the first of its kind anywhere in the world. Blackpool Promenade is the perfect stage, a place built on entertainment, culture and experience. I’m incredibly proud of what the team has created, and we can’t wait to open the doors to the public.”

Kate Shane MBE, Managing Director of Blackpool Tourism Ltd, said:

“We are delighted to welcome the Upside Down House to our iconic Promenade. It is already creating a real buzz around town, and I have no doubt it will be incredibly popular with both visitors and residents.

“It promises to be a fantastic addition to our visitor offer, providing yet another compelling reason to visit Blackpool. Following its success in other parts of the country, it’s wonderful that the team has chosen Blackpool as the location for the largest Upside Down House in the UK.

“We wish the team every success as they prepare to open their doors.

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for built environment and economy added: “We’ve worked with The Upside Down House to repurpose the land in order to bring more jobs, tourists and visitors to South Shore. It’s all part of our plan to make Blackpool better for the people who live and visit here.”

A new access road from Common Edge Road to Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone on Amy Johnson Way is set to open next week.

Opening of the new road will unlock prime development land, allowing businesses to grow and creating valuable job opportunities for residents.

The new through road, Vickers Way, will be open to traffic on Tuesday 5 May, providing an alternative route in and out of the business park and reducing congestion.

Vickers Way also features a shared footpath and cycle lane to provide safe access for pedestrians and cyclists accessing the business park. To further improve accessibility through the Enterprise Zone, Blackpool Transport will also be running a bus service along the new route.

Vickers Way will also provide a new entry point to the Common Edge Community Sports Village, enabling users to access the facilities which include 14 grass football pitches, a full sized floodlit 3G football pitch and a floodlit rugby pitch, via an alternative route. Since opening in 2023, the community sports village has been so popular that plans have recently been submitted to create additional parking at the site.

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, said:

“This is a major milestone for Blackpool. We have invested in a new road that eases congestion, supports business growth and will create jobs for local people. It’s all part of this council’s plan to make Blackpool better for the people who live here.

“This is more than just the opening of a new road; we’re unlocking opportunities. By improving connectivity and supporting long term economic growth, we’re delivering real benefits for residents through new jobs, skills and investment in the area.

“We are already seeing strong interest from local companies looking to expand on the newly unlocked land, reinforcing the Enterprise Zone’s position as one of the leading business destinations in the North West, and we can expect to see development and new jobs being created very soon.”

The new road name was chosen by school children at nearby St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, along with Hallett Avenue, a new residential road connecting Vickers Way with Oakwood Close which opened earlier in the year. The names follow the area’s tradition of roads being named along an aviation theme.

Funding for the new access road has been supported by a £7.5m grant from the UK Government, as part of the Blackpool Town Deal awarded in 2022.

Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities, Miatta Fahnbulleh, said:

“The opening of Vickers Way is exactly what this funding is about: opening up opportunity for residents and creating the conditions for people and businesses to thrive.

“From business growth to better connections for cyclists, pedestrians and sports fans, I look forward to seeing the development grow and Blackpool continue to go from strength to strength.”

Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone sits across Blackpool and Fylde, supporting over 4,000 jobs across 200 businesses, with an ambition to create 5,000 new jobs in the area by 2041.

Blackpool Council is the accountable body for the Enterprise Zone on behalf of Blackpool and Fylde Councils, and has committed to investing £54m of creating new infrastructure to support business growth over the next 15 years.

Charlie Richards, Service Director for Development at Fylde Council, said: ”

“This marks an important milestone in the delivery of the scheme, which will help unlock economic activity at the airport and improve transport connectivity at the Blackpool–Fylde boundary. The Council would like to thank partners for their ongoing work in delivering the project and supporting economic development and prosperity across the Fylde Coast.”

Prime commercial land either side of Vickers Way is now available, providing space for businesses to grow and create more jobs in the area.

Interested businesses can visit www.blackpoolez.com to enquire.

Secondary school pupils and students from across Blackpool are benefitting from an AI super curriculum designed to boost digital skills and highlight employment opportunities in the cyber industry.

The Blackpool MEGA (Motivated, Educated Generation with Ambition) Hub is one of 10 hubs across the Lancashire local authorities. It’s helping secondary schools access a pioneering technology-enriched programme and AI Academy that inspires pupils to pursue a career in the digital sector.

More than 400 young people will take part in the first two years of the programme, where they will be given direct access to leading industry professionals and employers.

Aiming to support at least eight Blackpool schools, the MEGA Hub will enable approximately 440 pupils to take part in hands-on technology experiences.

There will be 40 scholarships available for year 12 and 13 students, helping them develop critical and technical skills. They will also gain industry insights through workplace visits, real-world challenges and assessment centres designed to open access to career opportunities they may not otherwise encounter.

Cllr Kath Benson, Cabinet Member for Young People and Aspiration at Blackpool Council, said:

“We have many aspiring young people in our town so it’s essential that we continue to strive to provide access to these types of enrichment programmes to help them achieve their potential including careers in cyber.

“It’s hugely important that schoolchildren of all ages in Blackpool understand the opportunities available to them in this growing field of employment.

“This is why we’re focused on breaking down the barriers to entry, and creating new opportunities for young people to gain the skills, knowledge and qualifications which may lead to kickstart exciting careers in digital and technology.

“The MEGA Hub will help meet the need for a highly skilled digital workforce in Blackpool and create the cyber workforce for the future. Providing pupils with the best opportunities to be successful is the key to not only their futures but that of the town.”

The programme will help students learn skills in AI content creation and machine learning, and gain work experience with leading technology companies. Alongside this, they will access exclusive resources and events with official recognition from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of GCHQ.

It will provide them with hands-on experiences with taster days, as well as the opportunity to study for higher-level qualifications in ICT and cyber. Students will develop competitive and team orientated skills, leading into pathways in highly skilled and in-demand jobs.

There will also be 40 MEGA scholarships awarded to individuals in year 12 and 13, providing a £1,000 bursary, mentorship access, industry placements and employability skills support.

With the National Cyber Force establishing its headquarters in Samlesbury, Lancashire, and many new highly skilled jobs being created as a result, the programme will help to increase the interest in cyber security and ICT in the local area.

Lauren Monks, Director of CyberFirst and MEGA Hubs at IN4 Group, said:

“Blackpool is leading the way in unlocking the potential of talented young people who may be at risk of underachieving due to disadvantage, neurodiversity or lack of social capital.

“The MEGA Hub helps every young person, wherever they live and whatever their background, to secure the best career destinations by boosting academic attainment, building technology skills, and opening access to professional networks.”

Marc Potter, Assistant Principal Curriculum at Blackpool and The Fylde College, said: “The college is proud to host the MEGA Hub for schools across Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde.

“We’re passionate about working with our local schools and raising the aspirations of young people, giving them accessible, inclusive and genuinely exciting experiences in cyber and digital technologies. This partnership helps learners see a future for themselves in the North West’s growing tech sector, strengthening opportunities and ambitions across our region.”

The project also links into Blackpool’s digital vision, which has been created by Blackpool Council and The Blackpool Pride of Place Partnership.

In a world where digital is a key enabler, the partnership wanted to create a digital strategy, with a road map to enable Blackpool to become the smartest and best-connected town in the UK.

Designed to help improve socio-economic outcomes for the town and to create better lives, the vision demonstrates how Blackpool is at the forefront of new generation digital connectivity.

This includes giving residents and businesses access to the latest full fibre gigabit connectivity and split-second internet speeds across the Atlantic and to northern Europe.

 

 

Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) has been selected by the Ministry of Defence as one of just five new Defence Technical Excellence Colleges (TEC) as part of a major national investment in skills.

The announcement follows a visit to Bispham campus by Luke Pollard, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence, who met learners, apprentices, employees and partners to confirm the designation.

This new status is part of a £175 million Government programme to strengthen skills provision in key growth sectors, including defence, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital and technologies

Nationally, it is estimated that up to 600,000 additional workers will be needed in priority industries by 2030, and as a Defence TEC, B&FC will play a central role in supporting the development of the high-level technical skills needed to meet growing workforce demand in the sector.

The college will work with employers and partners across the defence sector to support learners into skilled roles in areas such as engineering, nuclear and cyber security, contributing to regional economic growth and strengthening national capability.

The successful bid was developed with and endorsed by a wider network of colleges, universities, industry and public sector partners including the North West Regional Defence and Security Cluster, Lancaster University, University of Central Lancashire, the Lancashire Skills Hub, Wirral Met College, the Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology, the Cumbria Combined Authority, Blackpool Council, Furness College, Team Barrow and others.

Alun Francis, Chief Executive of Blackpool and The Fylde College, said:

“We are proud to be designated as a Defence Technical Excellence College for the North West.”

“This represents a significant opportunity to contribute to national security while also supporting our learners across further and higher education, alongside employers and the wider defence supply chain.

“Given the growing importance of the defence sector, it is vital that we continue to strengthen skills pipelines in key areas such as engineering, nuclear and cyber security.

“Defence also drives innovation and we are excited to be working with an expanded network of partners to enhance provision, support workforce development and contribute further towards both regional economic growth and national capability.”

The £175 million investment announced today will support high-quality teaching, improved courses and access to specialist equipment across 19 new Technical Excellence Colleges.

The programme will provide high-quality training for around 65,000 learners across sectors critical to the UK’s future economy.

The programme also aims to widen access to high-level technical education, supporting more young people to progress into advanced learning and skilled careers in their local area, while strengthening the role of technical routes alongside traditional academic pathways.

Delivery is expected to begin this month with colleges acting as hubs of excellence and working in strong partnerships to raise standards across the sector.

The network of colleges is designed to align with local industry demand, helping to develop a skilled workforce where it is needed most.

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, which endorsed the bid, said:

“This is a major investment in Blackpool and the Fylde coast’s skills base. It aligns with our ambition for Blackpool to be a place where young people can train for quality jobs and build successful futures locally.”

“That vision will be supported by our commitment to creating high-quality employment opportunities, including through developments such as Silicon Sands, alongside investment in world-class education facilities like the Multiversity.

“This announcement supports our ambition for Blackpool to be a place where people can see clear opportunities for their future.”

The first phase of a major programme of road improvements designed to support Blackpool’s regeneration, ease congestion, and improve access to the town centre is starting this week.

As part of the Town Centre Access Scheme (TCAS), a £17m project part funded by £15.3m from the UK Government, Blackpool Council will make significant upgrades to key routes in and around the town centre to help improve traffic flow for residents and businesses.

The work complements the council’s commitment to increase spending on roads maintenance, and comes as the council is resurfacing over a dozen residential roads this spring.

The full scheme will see improvements made on roads in and around the town centre to make Blackpool more easily accessible for both road users and pedestrians. Upgrades will include improving road layouts, modifying existing traffic signal junctions to work more effectively together, introducing more crossing areas to improve the area for pedestrians and cyclists.

 

Cllr Paula Burdess, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Street Scene and Neighbourhoods, said:

“This is an important investment our town’s future. These improvements support our long term ambition to create a town centre that’s easier to access and more inviting for residents, businesses and visitors.

“The town has already seen significant regeneration, with more to come, and it’s essential that our highways network is upgraded to support the towns continued development.

“While there will inevitably be some disruption, this investment will deliver real benefits for residents, local businesses and future growth in the town.”

 

Roads and Buses Minister, Simon Lightwood said:

“Blackpool is a town with real ambition, and this £15.3m Government investment in its road network is a clear sign of this government’s commitment to supporting that growth.

“By improving access to the town centre, we are making it easier for residents, businesses and visitors to get where they need to go. This is what investing in local infrastructure looks like in practice – backing communities and helping them thrive.”

 

The first phase of work began this week at the junction of Grosvenor Road and Caunce Street and will take place for approximately 10 weeks, subject to weather conditions.

The improvements will include upgrades to the traffic signals and widening the road to safely reinstate two-way traffic flow on Grosvenor Street. To maintain traffic flow, the works will be completed without temporary traffic lights however reduced lanes will be in operation. Road users are advised to allow extra time when travelling in this area.

Work will then move to the junction of Deansgate and Cookson Street to remodel the junction, adding formal pedestrian crossings and improving cycling facilities.

The wider TCAS programme will be delivered in phases, with the full scheme expected to be completed by Autumn 2028.

The works include:

• Updating the road layout and junctions on Grosvenor Street and Deansgate to enable two-way traffic flow
• Introducing a right turn from Cookson Street onto Deansgate
• Improving the traffic light signal junctions along Grosvenor Street and Cookson Street
• Installing new toucan crossings on Cookson Street, Deansgate and Grosvenor Street to provide safer pedestrian and cycling routes
• Creating additional parking bays on Cookson Street for drop offs/pick ups
• Closing George Street to traffic, between Grosvenor Street and Cookson Street, to enable a public realm space for the new Multiversity campus
• Creating a cycle lane on King Street to complete a north-south route in the town centre

Improvements to the highways network are also part of our wider commitment to transform the Talbot Gateway area around Blackpool North train station, bringing over 8,000 workers and students into the town centre and driving long-term economic growth.

Upgrades in the area have already delivered a 4-star 144 bedroom Holiday Inn hotel and restaurant, a tram-train interchange linking to Blackpool promenade, a town centre office for the Department of Works and Pensions and a new home for the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) with staff recently moving into the first floor of Number One, Bickerstaffe Square.

Further developments are already underway with a new office for the Ministry of Defence expected to open next year, construction work for a new Multiversity college campus due to start later this year and plans for another multi-storey car park on King Street expected to be submitted this year.

Work to build a new community sports village in central Blackpool is expected to start later this year.

Blackpool Council, in conjunction with Blackpool Football Club and Blackpool Football Club Community Trust, is proposing to build two seven-a-side football pitches, a multi-use games area and two padel courts for local people to use opposite Revoe park, with a report recommending the council’s Executive to approve taking forward the development at a meeting on 16 March.

The community sports village is part of a wider plan from the council to restore Central Drive back to its heyday as an area of Blackpool where local families want to live and raise their families.

It complements the council’s plans to build more affordable housing at Foxhall Village, build better houses and green spaces further up Central Drive, and attract a new investment partner to the Blackpool Central development to create new jobs for local people.

 

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Built Environment and Economy, said:

 

“This council is committed to making Blackpool better and restoring Central Drive back to its heyday as an area where local people want to live and spend time in. We have a vision of local families choosing Central Drive as their go to area of Blackpool to live in, because of all the quality housing, green space and opportunities we’ve created.

“While our housing projects are about providing better homes for people to live in, this project is about improving the healthy lifestyles of people who live centrally, by creating community sports facilities for everybody to enjoy.

“The project will also help the football club’s community trust to increase its offer to local people, while also facilitating improvements to the East Stand to make the area around the football stadium a nicer place to visit.”

 

The project, which was awarded £6.5m from the UK Government’s Town Deal in 2022, is a joint programme with Blackpool Football Club and Blackpool Football Club Community Trust. As well as the football club and trust using the pitches for its women and girls teams, walking football, wheelchair sports and junior leagues, the pitches will also be available to hire by community groups and schools. A revised planning application for the scheme will be submitted in the coming months.

All but one house on the west side of Henry Street, have been acquired through negotiation. Planning approval has been obtained to demolish all the properties so Blackpool Football Club can improve the East Stand and create a better public realm. Phase one of the project was completed last summer, which included the installation of a new TV gantry and press facilities. The football club plans to submit a planning application for the additional works later this spring

Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone is continuing to see significant progress, with major infrastructure projects nearing completion and further development underway to help businesses grow and create new jobs for the Fylde coast.

Blackpool Council’s Executive is being recommended to continue its commitment to spending £54m to expand the Enterprise Zone, creating more jobs for Blackpool and Fylde residents as well as the wider Fylde coast, at its next meeting on 16 March.

A major milestone is approaching with the completion of Vickers Way, a new access road due to open this spring. This follows the remodelling works on Common Edge Road which were successfully completed last month. Once fully open the new route will improve access and traffic flow to the Enterprise Zone and surrounding areas.

These improvements are also part of a wider programme of infrastructure investment designed to unlock prime development land, allowing businesses to grow and creating valuable job opportunities for local residents.

There has already been significant interest in the land, with enquiries from businesses that could bring over 150 jobs to the site. This would further add to the economic impact the Enterprise Zone is already delivering, with 2,700 jobs created so far across the development.

The Silicon Sands project is continuing to move forward, designed to position Blackpool as a major location for digital and advanced technology businesses. The tender process to appoint a development partner for the first exemplar data centre is currently underway, with a preferred developer expected to be announced later this year.

Further investment has been made by Electricity North West who are building a new £5m primary substation, providing 32MVA of green electricity to Silicon Sands. This will help ensure the Enterprise Zone has the capacity to support major new developments in the future.

Work is also continuing on the Airport East road, which will be complete later this year to further improve access and enable future phases of growth.

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, said:

“The Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone continues to go from strength to strength.

“Our investment in new roads and infrastructure like Common Edge Road and Vickers Way is opening up much needed space for development, helping businesses grow and creating valuable job opportunities for local people.

“With major projects like Silicon Sands moving forward this year, the Enterprise Zone will continue to be a key driver of economic growth for Blackpool and the wider Fylde Coast.”

A major construction milestone on phase five of Talbot Gateway’s regeneration has been reached after partners gathered for a special steel signing ceremony to mark progress on the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) new Blackpool office building.

Being delivered for the MOD by nationwide placemaker, Muse, alongside Blackpool Council and contractor VINCI Building, the £45Mlln, 53,000 sq.ft workspace is located on Talbot Road and will provide accommodation for up to 1,100 employees from Defence Business Services (DBS).

With installation of the structure’s steel frame nearing completion, representatives from all key stakeholders – including Leader of Blackpool Council, Cllr Lynn Williams, DBS Chief Operating Officer, Andy White, and Muse’s Technical Director, Alan McBride – joined together on site to sign a commemorative steel beam.

The MOD’s move into the heart of Blackpool marks the latest phase in the Talbot Gateway’s wider £350Mlln regeneration, providing a further boost to the local economy and driving footfall for local businesses. The DBS project comes from MOD’s Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) Portfolio which is investing £5.1Bn in a more modern and sustainable Defence Estate.

Designed by London-based Make Architects to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ Standards – a world leading certification for measuring the sustainability performance of buildings – the six-storey structure comprises a range of features with sustainability and wellness at their core.

These include photovoltaic panels on the roof which will generate clean, green electricity; air source heat pumps for space heating and hot water generation; and precast concrete façade panels which reduce embodied carbon. The workspace will be powered 100% by electricity, too.

Elsewhere, the building also promotes active, sustainable travel thanks to its cycle storage, showers and changing facilities, while connectivity to surrounding businesses and the local transport network is made simple via the creation of new public realm which supports improved pedestrian access.

All of these features will combine to provide MOD employees with a working environment that supports their productivity, wellness, and wellbeing, while also aiding the organisation with the recruitment of the best talent.

The creation of MOD’s new workspace is also having a significant positive impact for local people and businesses via a dedicated social value programme.

Activity delivered so far includes the launch of a series of bespoke construction career-focused sessions for students at Montgomery Academy; the provision of training and work opportunities for people from the local area; and support for local charities, including Trinity Hospice via a Christmas Tree collection scheme.

Construction of MOD’s new office building is due to complete in spring 2027.

Alan McBride, Technical Director at Muse, commented:

“This milestone in the fifth phase of Talbot Gateway’s regeneration – which we’re delivering with our long-standing partners, Blackpool Council – marks another significant step on our journey to revitalise the town. Bringing an additional 1,100 people into the heart of Blackpool will provide a real economic boost to local businesses, while the environmentally-conscious nature of the workspace aligns with Muse’s sustainability ambitions – it’s rewarding to see Blackpool’s renaissance continuing with this forward-thinking workspace.”

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said:

“It’s fantastic to see the new Ministry of Defence office building in the town centre reaching this important milestone, with the steel frame now almost complete.
“The redevelopment of the area around Blackpool North train station is a key part of our wider regeneration plans to make Blackpool better, creating jobs and opportunities for local people. The construction work is already delivering meaningful benefits for local residents through employment and apprenticeships on site.
“We’re proud to be working alongside the Ministry of Defence to deliver a landmark building that will strengthen our economy and reinforce Blackpool’s role as a growing hub for both public and private sector businesses”.

Gary Hughes, VINCI Building’s Regional Director, added:

“Reaching this construction milestone is a proud moment for everyone involved in the Talbot Gateway transformation. The MOD’s new Blackpool office represents far more than a building – it reflects the confidence, investment and long-term commitment being made to the town’s future. This development will bring jobs, opportunity and renewed energy into the heart of Blackpool, while setting a new benchmark for sustainable, modern workplaces. We’re delighted to see this next phase taking shape and to continue working with our partners to deliver a project that will have a lasting positive impact on the community.”