earmarked for a Las Vegas style ‘super casino’ which also failed to get off the drawing board.
Nick Gerrard says a team of commercial marketing consultants is poised to start work in the search for new international investors for the 10-acre site, which has been described as ‘a once-in-a-generation’ leisure opportunity.
He says: “Blackpool Central has been a challenge since 1964 when the station closed.”
And he points to the work that has been done to make the site ‘shovel- ready’ for development, including the relocation and demolition of the town’s courts building supported by £40m government funding.
Nick says: “We now have a great site with all of the obstacles out of the way. We have appointed an international and UK team to work together and what we want isn’t just a masterplan and great ideas, because we have seen plenty of those.
“The ambition for the site remains the same – year-round tourism to encourage people to stay when they’re visiting Blackpool and doing all the great stuff that they can do.”
“It’s not just about getting the plans together but getting the funding together as well, that’s fundamental. We’ll be working very hard with this.”
He remains optimistic, pointing to Blackpool’s impressive record of delivering regeneration projects. That includes Talbot Gateway, an impressive £350m project bringing more than 8,000 workers and students into the heart of the town.
And he adds: “Every single project we have worked on has hit obstacles. My team is here to overcome them, to deliver the progress.”
While the Blackpool Central development may have hit the buffers, down the Golden Mile a major new attraction to tempt visitors is taking shape. Pleasure Beach resort is developing a new £8.72m ride that promises to be a real crowd pleaser.
The ambition for the site remains the same – year-round tourism to
encourage people to stay when they’re visiting Blackpool and doing all the great stuff that they can do
‘Aviktas’ will be the tallest ride of its kind when built. The towering 138ft gyro swing will fly riders alongside the world-famous Big One and parallel to the coast when it opens next year.
Laura Cavanagh, PR manager at Pleasure Beach Resort, says it is the destination’s first completely new ride in seven years and adds: “It will be hugely exciting for us, for the industry and for the town.
“There has already been so much interest in it and it is going to be a huge draw, as well as completely changing the skyline.”
Laura says the Pleasure Beach is also working hard to extend its season, focusing on things that will encourage people to visit in the winter months.
It is having an impact. She says the longer season benefits seasonal workers, with some 50 per cent of them returning year on year.
The wider regeneration of Blackpool also aids tourism, she adds. More money in local people’s pockets means they are more likely to visit the attractions on their doorstep.
Laura says: “There’s a lot of opportunity at the moment and it is good to see the different investments happening around the town which will have a knock-on effect on tourism. It’s circular.”
She also points to the sense of collaboration that exists within the sector locally and adds: “We are working together. There is so much good happening but it can be disheartening when you pick up a national newspaper every other week and there is something negative written about Blackpool.”
Andrea Challis is joint chief executive of family-owned holiday park operator Partington Group. It operates four parks on the Fylde coast and is behind an ambitious £75m plan to create a leisure destination at its Windy Harbour site, on the outskirts of Blackpool, complete with hotel and spa.
Continued on Page 56 LANCASHIREBUSINES SV
IEW.CO.UK Talbot Gateway
businessinblackpool.com
Spotlight
BLACKPOOL MAKES IT WORK
By Councillor Mark Smith,
Cabinet member for economy and built environment at Blackpool Council
In Blackpool you’ll find the perfect home for your business.
That could be in our £350m Talbot Gateway Central Business District, which is bringing over 8,000 workers and students into Blackpool in the next few years.
It could be at one of the North West’s premier business parks at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone. Already home to more than 200 leading businesses and in excess of 4,000 employees, we’re creating over 10 hectares of new commercial plots near the M55 which are available now.
Or it could be at one of our new modern small business hubs, such as The Robinson office and co-working space which opened in September.
We’ll help you recruit the right talent for your business – perhaps from the 18,000 professionals working in science, research, engineering and technology locally. Or by linking you up with our leading further education providers so you can train up your own talent.
You’ll benefit from Blackpool being connected to the ultra-fast North Atlantic Loop, which sends internet data to New York faster than London.
And we’ll help you grow your company and hire new employees, with our fully funded services and support.
What’s more, your staff will benefit from being based in a town that has it all, from a connected transport system, world class events and everything else on their doorstep including the world famous Blackpool Tower, quality shows and concerts at the Winter Gardens and Grand Theatre, and Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
Our growth and prosperity team are ready to offer you all the help and assistance you need as you land in your new home.
Here in Blackpool, we work hard for our rewards and as the world knows, we do it with a smile on our faces.
Discover for yourself how Blackpool makes it work. 2026 CATEGORIES
AI and Tech Innovation Award NEW Built Environment Award Commitment to Skills Award
Creative Business Award NEW Customer Service Award
Deal of the Year Award NEW Design Award Digital Award
Employer of the Year Award
Environmental, Social and Governance Award Export Award
Family Business Award Large Business Award Made in Lancashire Award Medium Business Award Micro Business Award New Business Award Not-for-profit Award
Professional Services Award Scale-Up Award Small Business Award
Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Award Transformation Award
Transport and Logistics Award
55
IN VIEW
BLACKPOOL
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