Forums Forums National News Blackpool is set to undergo a £220m transformation

Plan to transform famous resort


The seaside resort Blackpool is set to undergo a £220m transformation with new hotels, shops and restaurants planned.

The Talbot Gateway project also includes new offices, a supermarket and cafes on a site near Blackpool North train station.

The work is set to start in 2011, creating hundreds of jobs.

It is hoped that the plans will give the resort a boost, after its failure to secure a super casino licence. An agreement is set to be signed later.

The Talbot Gateway agreement is to be signed by Blackpool Council and Muse Developments.

'Family-friendly'

Sir Howard Bernstein, chairman of ReBlackpool, the local regeneration body, said: "This project will transform a neglected and under-utilised area of the town into a welcoming family-friendly gateway, encouraging more people to visit, providing better services for local people and encouraging inward investment."

Work is expected to start after a period of local consultation and planning permission procedures.

The project is one of a number planned to revitalise Blackpool.

More than 9.8 million people visited the resort in 2007, compared to about 20 million a year in the 1980s.

THE BBC

About time!

Let me guess...does Peel Holdings own Blackpool as well now?

Hmmmmmmmmmm - to quote a Wiki member "you can't polish a turd".

No matter what they do to Blackpool, it will still be crap!

Maybe they should just rebrand it with a new name? Family-friendlypool...Peelpool...StagHenpool...Tackypool

Shatpool, Idiotpool - the list could be endless!! I'm surprised that the "PC" brigade have not pounced on the name anyway

Puddle'o'pisspool

Council receives money in taxes to repair and keep area tidy
Council doesn't spend money on essential repairs
Council lets area descend into dump
Developers come in, pay council huge amounts of money to develop retail units on old, decrepit buildings

Don't think I can look at another Top Shop/Tescos/Starbucks.

Why dont they call it Black Rockpool cause all you see is Rock Shops

The only decent thing about Blackpool are the trams. As for the rest of it - it needs bulldozing into the sea. (Just don't mention pollution).

As for Peel Holdings - as this is a family show, I'd better say nowt !