TOURISM SECTOR’S TOWERING RECOVERY IS WELCOME NEWS
Lancashire’s tourism economy continues to bounce back strongly from the impact of the Covid pandemic with Blackpool the county’s shining star.
New figures have revealed the number of people visiting and staying in the county rose significantly in 2022, with the economic impact increasing by more than £1.2bn.
The latest Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor (STEAM) shows that visitor numbers for Lancashire as a whole grew from 51.5 million in 2021 to 64.8 million in 2022 and the economic impact generated in 2022 increased to £4.8bn from £3.5bn in 2021
This puts the numbers at almost 95 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
Blackpool received more than 20 million visitors in 2022, up 1.5 million on the previous year and 12 per cent higher than the pre- pandemic year of 2019.
This values the resort’s tourism economy at more than £1.7bn compared to £1.4bn in 2021, supporting more than 22,000 jobs.
The gains made in Blackpool during 2022 were fuelled by the return of large-scale events such as the air show weekend, another two-month extension of the Illuminations season and an
expansion of the successful ‘Christmas By The Sea’ village.
There was also a £1m investment in a multi- media marketing campaign featuring a new TV ad starring “resort ambassador”, Nigel C Gull, a lovable seagull puppet voiced by actor and comedian Johnny Vegas.
Blackpool council leader Lynn Williams said: “We clearly had an advantage in 2021 because people in the UK were largely restricted to domestic holidays and we were determined to capitalise on that opportunity.
“It is extremely encouraging that we have not just retained the numbers that we attracted in that initial bounce-back year, but shown incremental growth in 2022.
“That is on the back of some brilliant partnership working across the resort which has seen the launch of new events, more impactful marketing and an extension of the tourism season into November and December.”
This year to date, Blackpool has seen record numbers attending its free events programme, including the two-day air show, three world fireworks events, the award-winning Lightpool Festival, and the Illuminations switch-on.
Vikki Harris, marketing and partnerships
director at Marketing Lancashire, said there was more cause for optimism: “The recently announced Lancashire LVEP, a partnership between Marketing Lancashire and Visit Blackpool, is exciting for the region and is supported by all the county’s 15 councils.
“This programme will deliver local and national structure to continue to grow the local visitor economy.
“It’s great to see Lancashire making a strong recovery, but we remain very aware of high energy costs, increased staffing expenses and the continuing cost of living for local businesses and their staff.”
The scheme will also include food and drink outlets, a gym, hotel, crèche, health centre and other developments. Planning has also been granted for up to 116 new homes, which those behind the plan say will help tackle the shortage of housing available in the area.
County councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth, said: “The site is regionally significant, vital to the place-shaping agenda and will deliver major economic outcomes for Lancashire.”
A CGI of the new cricket centre
DEVELOPMENTS CENTRAL TO FURTHER GROWTH
Two major development projects are moving forward in central Lancashire after reaching major milestones.
The green light has been given for a multi- million-pound employment site at Cuerden, which is expected to create more than 5,000 jobs and add an annual £390m to the local economy.
And work has started on Lancashire Cricket’s new base in Farington which will serve the local community as well as hosting professional fixtures.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has provided £1.6m in funding towards the
development, and it is hoped that it will be ready in 19 months – in time for the 2025 season.
Cuerden is being created by Lancashire County Council and its development partner Maple Grove Developments.
The outline planning permission for the mixed- use development sets out the principle for developing the site, as well as more detailed plans for road access into the site and key environmental measures as part of the plans.
Called ‘Lancashire Central’ it will provide high quality employment uses including industrial, manufacturing, logistics, research and development space.
James Scott, development director at Lancashire-based Maple Grove, added: “With planning now secured, we will move forwards with the first phases of infrastructure and highway works.”
The county council is working with Lancashire Cricket on the development in Farington, with Eric Wright carrying out construction work.
Featuring two cricket pitches, the facility will be able to host a number of men’s and women’s competitive matches each year with the second cricket pitch supporting community, recreational and youth cricket.
It adds a new training facility for the county club and will also be a Women’s Centre of Excellence for the North West.
Clare Connor, ECB deputy chief executive, said: “It will become a professional standard hub for women’s and girls’ cricket, a regional development centre for disability cricket, and a place which will be used by state schools, local clubs and community groups.”
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