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Work to renovate an iconic Blackpool town centre building has completed, as it prepares for a new future as a hub for growing local businesses.

Blackpool Council has completed a £8.2m transformation of Stanley Buildings, breathing new life into a heritage building 90 years after it first opened.

The transformation includes opening The Robinson, a new business growth hub, designed to help local companies grow.

Disused space in the upper floors has been refurbished to offer 44 private offices for lease, as well as six meeting rooms and a vibrant co-working environment.

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

“This fantastic restoration shows how we’re making Blackpool better and creating more opportunities for businesses to create jobs for local people.

“This is an iconic Blackpool building that has been restored by Blackpool businesses using Blackpool workers, in order to help new Blackpool businesses to grow.

“It’s a real local success story of how we’re using regeneration and construction to benefit everybody in the town.

“The Robinson is a symbol of Blackpool’s confidence in its future. This building once embodied the innovation of the 1930s, and it now stands ready to inspire a new generation of businesses, entrepreneurs, and collaborators. I’m proud to see the building reimagined with renewed purpose and a future-facing vision.

“It’s an exciting time to be a business in Blackpool town centre, as thousands of workers and students move into this area, offering lots of opportunities for local people to find work or start businesses.”

Work to the rest of the building has included repairing and replacing faience blocks, refurbishing the roof and installing new windows. Investment in solar panels and air source heat pumps will significantly lower the building’s carbon impact.

Renovation work has included the replacement of 18 shopfront units with further works underway to ensure the retail units are ready to occupy.  The project will attract more businesses into the town centre to benefit from Blackpool Council’s £350m regeneration of the area, bringing over 8,000 workers and students into the area in the coming years.

The Robinson is named in honour of John Charles Robinson, Blackpool Corporation’s former chief architect, who between 1920-1944 designed many of Blackpool’s landmark civic buildings including Stanley Buildings, a symbol of art deco elegance. The Robinson reflects that same spirit of progress, with beautifully designed spaces for working, meeting and co-working.

The triangular shaped Stanley Buildings, with its distinctive cream art deco façade, was opened in 1935 and originally comprised 26 shops at ground floor level with corporation offices above called Stanley Chambers.

Original architectural features have been carefully preserved and complemented by modern amenities, including ultra-fast broadband and thoughtfully designed communal spaces.

The project has been funded by Blackpool Council and the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity and Town Deal Funds.

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

“This is exactly the kind of transformation we want to see in town centres across the country.

“We’re proud to help fund this brilliant project that’s turned an old and iconic building into a modern place where local businesses can grow and create jobs for people across Blackpool.”

The project has brought together a team of respected local companies, including Cassidy + Ashton as lead architects, F Parkinson Ltd as main contractor, Bev Wood Design for interiors, and Happy Creative leading on branding and marketing. Their combined expertise has played a vital role in bringing The Robinson to life.

Blackpool-based F Parkinsons has delivered substantial social value and community benefit throughout the project, channelling significant spend to local suppliers, employing new apprentices and supporting community projects like the New Langdale Group and Anchorsholme Petanque Club.

Canadian maple panelling was saved and recycled from Blackpool Magistrates Courts reused as part of the interior design.

Shortly open for viewings, The Robinson offers a workspace designed to support the evolving needs of today’s businesses. With a blend of heritage architecture and contemporary design, the building is already attracting interest from entrepreneurs, professional service companies and established organisations.

The popular Blackpool Growth Business Academy will also have a presence on site, providing tailored business support and personalised growth plans and various events.

For more information about available space and membership, or to book a private viewing, click here: https://blackpoolunlimited.com/the-robinson/

Construction has begun on a new office building for Ministry of Defence (MOD) civil servants as part of Blackpool’s Talbot Gateway redevelopment, announced today at UK REiiF. 

The regeneration programme sees Blackpool Council working with development partner Muse Places and construction company VINCI Building on the new 53,000 sq. Ft MOD building which will hold up to 1,100 staff from Defence Business Services (DBS). 

As MOD’s shared services organisation, DBS provides corporate services across the information and technology, finance, procurement and people function to the whole of Defence, including serving military, veterans and civilian staff, as well as other government departments. The move from a leased site within the local area concludes the consolidation of DBS’ Northwest Estate into a single, purpose-built office owned by the MOD, securing future jobs and saving the taxpayer money long term. 

Representatives from DBS signed the contract for the new building on 31st March 2025 with them coming together last week at a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction.  

The DBS project is being delivered under the MOD’s Defence Estate Optimisation portfolio, which is investing £5.1Bn in a more modern and sustainable Defence estate. This includes new and refurbished military accommodation and housing for over 40,000 service personnel and their families, as well as technical, training and office space for over 64,000 personnel, including civilian staff. Construction will be managed on behalf of the MOD by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, working closely with Blackpool Council, development partner Muse Places, main contractor VINCI Building and DBS.  

The building is scheduled for completion in 2027. 

Ross Porter, Defence Infrastructure Organisation Programme Manager, said: 

“After several years of pre-construction work and a huge collaborative effort from all parties involved, progressing this project to the construction stage is a great milestone to reach.  

“We’re very much looking forward to delivering a first-class office facility for MOD staff in the area, as part of the Defence Estates Optimisation Portfolio.” 

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said:

“This is another major step forward in our plans to make Blackpool better.  

“We’re very grateful to government for recognising Blackpool’s economic potential and continuing to invest and help us create quality jobs for local people.  

“Officers from both the council and government have worked exceptionally hard to make this deal possible. With over 8,000 workers and students coming to the town centre in the next few years, this provides a phenomenal opportunity and confidence for local businesses to continue to invest and hire more local people.” 

Alan McBride, Technical Director at Muse, said:

“It’s great to see work commencing on phase five of Talbot Gateway’s regeneration. This future-proofed, sustainable workspace for the Civil Service will bring increased footfall into the town centre, spur further economic growth in the heart of Blackpool, and build on the momentum we’ve generated alongside our long-standing partners, Blackpool Council, for more than 15 years.” 

Gary Hughes VINCI Building’s Regional Director said: 

 “We’re delighted to have been appointed on this key project at Talbot Gateway to continue our working partnership with Blackpool Council and Muse. We will ensure we continue to provide local opportunities through the development of our local supply chain, whilst generating significant education and training opportunities with local schools, colleges and education groups as we progress on site”.   

The renovation of Stanley Buildings in Blackpool town centre is nearing completion, transforming previously disused space into a contemporary business centre to be named ‘The Robinson’.

The newly refurbished space comprises a range of flexible and affordable offices, meeting rooms and co-working ‘hot desks’ suitable for entrepreneurs and growth-oriented small businesses.

The building offers over 40 private office spaces, ranging from small suites for growing businesses to larger spaces for more established organisations. There are six meeting rooms for hire, perfect for anything from team meetings to client presentations.

The co-work space offers a vibrant and collaborative environment, with membership packages available for flexible or dedicated desk options, making it an ideal location for freelancers and remote workers who want to be part of a business community or who simply wish to work near home.

Modern facilities include ultra-fast fibre broadband, new kitchens, showers, a secure bike store and fully equipped meeting rooms.

Investment in air source heat pumps and solar panels is forecast to save over 64 tonnes of CO2 per annum, demonstrating Blackpool Council’s commitment to sustainability.

Wider investment in the building has included renewal of the roof, new windows, façade repairs, and as well as the installation of new shopfronts.

Business support will be readily available, with regular events and assistance from The Blackpool Growth Business Academy, including access to scale-up specialists.

The name is inspired by Blackpool Corporation’s former chief architect, John Charles Robinson, who between 1920-1944 designed many of Blackpool’s landmark civic buildings including libraries, schools, swimming baths, leisure facilities and tourist infrastructure.

Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment at Blackpool Council, said: “It is a fitting tribute for the development to be named after renowned Borough architect, John Charles Robinson.

“He is responsible for the design of some of the town’s most iconic buildings and this is a perfect way to recognise the significance of his contributions.

“The Robinson embodies the optimism and forward-thinking energy of its era. This sense of history and legacy has been captured in the building’s branding, which combines the best of yesteryear with the promise of a bright, modern future.

“The works will secure the long-term use of the building and safeguard it for future generations of entrepreneurs.”

Notable examples of JC Robinson’s work include the Derby Baths and South Shore Open Air Baths, the Technical College on Palatine Road, Stanley Park’s Art Deco café, Cricket Club Pavilion and Golf Clubhouse. Several promenade features include the Solarium (now Solaris), the middle and lower walk Colonnades, the Cabin Lift and Bispham Tram Stop.

The triangular shaped Stanley Buildings was completed in 1935, replacing terraced housing.  It was set back in line with the adjacent Midland Bank to allow new tram lines for Church Street.

Its distinctive art deco faience tile façade and mosaics, in corporation cream and green colours, is still present in a number of heritage buildings in Blackpool today.

The original building comprised 26 shops at ground floor level with corporation offices above called Stanley Chambers.

The scheme is led by Blackpool Council, supported by Cassidy + Ashton architects; local construction company, F Parkinson Ltd, acting as main contractor; Bev Wood Design (BWD) as lead interior designer and Happy Creative as marketing and branding partner.

Well over 50% of the contract value is being spent with local suppliers, with additional social value benefitting the local community.

The project is part of wider plans to make the town centre more attractive to residents, businesses and investors, and making Blackpool better for everyone.

The £8.2m project has received £4.5m from the Town Deal, £3.1m from the council and £600k from the UK Shared Prosperity to support shopfront renewal and low carbon investment. It is expected to be completed in summer 2025.

Those interested in finding out more about office space, meeting rooms, or co-work memberships are invited to register their interest here.

A new home for the UK Government in the heart of Blackpool is starting to take shape. 

The building façades are now being installed at the £100m, seven-storey Civil Service Hub, as part of the Talbot Gateway development close to Blackpool North train station. The terracotta faced ultra-high strength concrete façade panels, which are highly sustainable and help reduce the building’s embodied carbon, will feature across the exterior of the building and create an impressive Art Deco appearance, in keeping with Blackpool’s architectural heritage within the town centre. 

The Civil Service Hub will see over 3,000 government workers relocating to Blackpool town centre when it completes in 2025, supporting the wider £350m redevelopment of the area which also involves new Grade A offices, a hotel and transport interchange and a new Multiversity campus. 

The site, which will include a new town centre square with cycle and pedestrian routes, is within walking distance of the new tram interchange at Blackpool North Station, promoting more sustainable travel routes. 

Once complete, the Civil Service Hub will support Blackpool Council’s ambitions to rejuvenate the town centre economy by introducing high-quality offices that will create and protect local jobs, drive footfall and breathe new life into the town centre economy.   

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Not only is the Civil Service Hub changing the skyline of Blackpool, but the potential impact on the local economy of bringing over 3,000 more professional workers into the town centre is a key part of our plans to make Blackpool better.

“This will be another high-quality office building that brings people into the town centre. For local people and businesses in the surrounding areas, there is a real opportunity to benefit from having that volume of workers on their doorstep.

“This office is only one element of the wider regeneration we have at the Talbot Gateway, with the Holiday Inn hotel and Marco Pierre White restaurant set to open next year along with the tram extension to the train station, and our plans to bring another 3,000 staff and students into the area as part of the Multiversity campus.”

The long-standing partnership between Muse and Blackpool Council, has already delivered the 125,000 sq. ft Number One Bickerstaffe Square council office, a Sainsbury’s supermarket and a refurbished 650-space multi-storey car park, alongside extensive public spaces for the community to enjoy. 

Alan McBride, Technical Director at Muse, said: “We have reached a wonderfully visual milestone in Talbot Gateway’s regeneration, with the terracotta panels in particular emphasising how we’re creating a brighter Blackpool while being sympathetic to the town’s rich cultural heritage.

“The new Civil Service Hub will provide a highly sustainable workspace for the benefit of local people and the wider community, while also creating welcoming public spaces for everyone to enjoy. We can’t wait to see the positive impact this will have as we create a Blackpool that’s fit for the future.”

The 215,000 sq. ft offices have been designed to be extremely sustainable and achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating with everything ultra-low energy and as energy efficient as possible, high levels of insulation, low-carbon heating and cooling, and demand driven ventilation, helping to reduce the building’s overall carbon footprint.   

Designed by London-based Make Architects, the building also benefits from ground floor cyclist facilities including showers and changing facilities, a large reception lobby, and a high quality fit out including open plan working areas, meeting rooms, quiet zones and other flexible workplace settings, with high levels of natural daylight and generous, airy ceiling heights throughout.  

 Gary Hughes, Regional Director at VINCI Building, said: “We’re delighted to be delivering the latest phase of the Talbot Gateway Development. Working closely with Blackpool Council, MUSE and their design team has enabled us to utilise some of the most modern construction methods available in delivering the Civil Service Hub. This is helping us to reduce carbon emissions during construction, through the materials selected and by reducing deliveries, while creating a more efficient building operationally.

“Construction of this key project has also enabled us to forge close links with local organisations and charities who support those furthest away from the labour market. This is something we certainly hope will leave a legacy for Blackpool and Lancashire.” 

Plans for a new state of the art education campus in Blackpool town centre have been submitted. 

An outline planning application for a new Multiversity campus for Blackpool and the Fylde College has been submitted to Blackpool Council, showing a five storey campus on Cookson Street which could bring up to 3,000 new staff and students to the town centre. 

The £65m development would allow Blackpool and the Fylde College to relocate from out of town facilities into a world-class state-of-the-art campus as part of the £350m Talbot Gateway regeneration of the area around Blackpool North train station. 

The Multiversity would be built by Blackpool Council, then leased to the College, offering more than 70 individual courses and enhancing its existing higher education provision which is directly linked to local employment needs. 

The proposed development would include two phases, starting with an education campus on the corner of Cookson Street and George Street, followed by future development across the southern end of the site by Milbourne Street and Grosvenor Street.  

The plans would deliver up to 32,600 sqm of education space and commercial space across several phases, starting with the new Multiversity building. 

The main campus building would be designed to be carbon-neutral in operation, with the surrounding area on also George Street landscaped and pedestrianised to make it a safer environment for students. The Multiversity has been designed by established architects Hawkins\Brown and aims to complement the rest of the Talbot Gateway regeneration. 

Talbot Gateway is sited next to Blackpool North train station, with the Multiversity adding to other developments under construction nearby, including the 144 bedroom Holiday Inn and transport interchange and the Civil Service Hub, which will bring an additional 3,000 professional workers to the area when it opens in 2025. 

The site will offer plenty of sustainable transport options, including electric buses, train and tram, making the campus accessible to students across the Fylde Coast and beyond. 

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “The Multiversity will be a game changing addition to Blackpool town centre and this is another exciting step forward.

“The Talbot Gateway is designed to support our plans to make Blackpool better, by bringing thousands of workers and students into the town centre, and creating an environment for local businesses to benefit from that huge increase in footfall, creating more jobs and opportunities for local people.

“The Multiversity will also help improve the town’s skills base so that our local people can learn work-ready skills and gain university level qualifications without leaving the town, while also offering a world class education campus that will help attract people to study, live and work in Blackpool.”

Alun Francis, Principal and Chief Executive, Blackpool and The Fylde College said: “Multiversity will genuinely transform the opportunities for people in Blackpool and on the Fylde coast, helping to deliver a highly skilled workforce.  It will combine the very best of higher and technical and professional education in one campus, with curriculum completely aligned with the growing opportunities across Lancashire and the North West. 

“Multiversity aims to be the country’s first carbon neutral Higher Education campus and we fully intend it to be a landmark building as part of the redevelopment of Blackpool town centre.  This is one of the best things to happen to Blackpool for a generation.”

The land for the new Multiversity is currently being acquired by Blackpool Council, with the support of a £9m Government grant as part Blackpool Town Deal, which was awarded in March 2022. 

The project was also awarded £40m as part of the Government’s Levelling Up funding in January 2023 as part of the total project cost of £65m.  

For more details on regeneration plans in Blackpool, visit www.blackpool.gov.uk/betterblackpool 

ENDS 

Note to Editors 

Hawkins\Brown is an architecture practice based in London, Dublin, Manchester, Edinburgh and Los Angeles. Founded more than 30 years ago and now run as an employee-owned trust, the firm brings a collaborative approach to projects across a range of types and scale in six main sectors: Civic, community & culture; education; healthcare; workplace; transport & infrastructure and residential. 

One of the UK’s leading architects in the education sector, Hawkins\Brown has worked on academic and research buildings for institutions that include University College London, the University of Oxford and the University of Manchester. Recently completed projects include a new Creative Arts Building for Leeds Beckett University, the Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building at the University of Warwick, and a new social science research park (sbarc | spark) at Cardiff University. 

New images show the first completed rooms inside the Blackpool Holiday Inn hotel. 

The four-star Holiday Inn is set to open in Spring 2024 and is currently being constructed as part of the town’s £350m Talbot Gateway development next to Blackpool North train station. 

The four storey, 144-room hotel will open alongside a Marco Pierre White New York Italian restaurant on the ground floor and will include business conferencing facilities and a fitness centre for guests.  

Bookings for the new hotel are now being taken from June, with earlier dates set to be made available closer to the opening. 

An extension to Blackpool tramway, which will connect the Talbot Gateway and train station directly with Blackpool Promenade, is also being constructed as part of the development, alongside an underpass allowing pedestrians to access the hotel and tramway directly from the station. Five additional retail units have been constructed underneath the hotel and are available for lease. 

Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Levelling Up (Place) at Blackpool Council, said: “We’re excited for the new Holiday Inn to open in time for the tourist season next year and it’s great to see the first few rooms complete. 

“The hotel will offer more options for tourists, but it will also create more opportunities for businesses and conferences and create dozens of jobs for local people. The restaurant will also offer another high-quality eating option for everybody in Blackpool to enjoy.

“The Talbot Gateway Central Business District regeneration is a key part of our plans to make Blackpool better, creating more jobs and opportunities for local people, but also increasing footfall and spend into local businesses and into the town centre.”

The Holiday Inn will be operated by RBH Hospitality Management, one of the UK’s leading independent hotel management company, with experienced General Manager Mark Winter overseeing the launch and early running of the hotel. 

The hotel will create 80 new jobs, from managerial positions through to front of house and housekeeping staff, with recruitment starting shortly. 

General Manager, Mark Winter, said: “This is a milestone development in an incredibly exciting project. Seeing the rooms take shape really helps bring the vision we have for this hotel to life and will be key to our rigorous recruitment campaign as we seek to build a diverse and experienced hotel team.

“With the completion of the first rooms, we’re one step closer to demonstrating the significant impact this hotel is going to have on the Blackpool area, so it’s great to see.”

The hotel, which is being developed by Muse in partnership with Blackpool Council, and tram extension form the second phase of the £350m Talbot Gateway regeneration of the area. Blackpool Council, alongside Muse, has already developed the 125,000 sq ft Number One Bickerstaffe Square council office, a Sainsbury’s supermarket and a refurbished 650-space multi-storey car park, alongside extensive public spaces for the community to enjoy. 

The third phase of the Talbot Gateway regeneration includes a new seven storey, 215,000 sq ft sustainable office building which will bring 3,500 civil service workers into the area when it opens in 2025, while land is currently being acquired ahead of phase four, a new £65m Multiversity educational campus which will also attract 3,000 more staff and students to the area. 

Alan McBride, Technical Director at Muse, said: “This latest milestone regarding the Holiday Inn’s construction signifies another important landmark in the regeneration of Talbot Gateway, and draws into focus the positive impact this project will deliver for the town.

“Our vision is to help create a bold and bright future for Blackpool, building upon its renowned and rich history, and we can’t wait to see this particular part of the development come to fruition next year.”

For more information on the Talbot Gateway, visit www.talbotgateway.com

Over 5,000 sq ft of retail space has been released as part of Blackpool Council’s £350m Talbot Gateway development. 

The units sit at the ground level of the 144-bedroom Holiday Inn hotel and surround the new tram terminal. The development includes a new underpass connecting passengers from Blackpool North train station with the new tramway extension which links to the town centre and Blackpool Promenade. 

The Station View retail units are set to be available from Easter 2024, with units ranging from 400 sq ft to 1,800 sq ft in size, with mains water and electric, alongside telecoms and data access. The units have planning permission for Class E retail use with the high volume of passing traffic offering options for food to go and convenience retailers. 

In addition to the five retail units underneath the Holiday Inn, two additional units are also available underneath the main Blackpool Council offices within the Talbot Gateway development.  

Over two million visitors passed through Blackpool North train station in 2022, with the number expected to increase as a result of future phases of the Talbot Gateway development. 

Construction on a £100m Civil Service Hub which will provide a regional home for the UK Government is under way, with an estimated 3,000 professional workers relocating to Blackpool town centre when it opens in early 2025. Land acquisition for the £65m Multiversity campus is also taking place which will provide a new home for Blackpool and the Fylde College, bringing over 2,000 students and staff to the area. 

Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Levelling Up (Place) at Blackpool Council, said: “The scale of regeneration in Blackpool right now is incredible and we’re proudly boasting about our £2 billion growth and prosperity programme.

“At the Talbot Gateway, progress is being made on three major phases to regenerate the area around the train station which will bring thousands of professional workers and students into the area every day, while the tramway extension and underpass make it much more accessible to reach Blackpool Promenade and all our major attractions by rail.”

For more information on the retail units, visit www.talbotgateway.com or email regeneration@blackpool.gov.uk 

-ENDS- 

Notes to Editor:  

For further information please contact Adam Ogden on 07442 883106 or email adam.ogden@blackpool.gov.uk  

Partners, nationwide placemaker, Muse, Blackpool Council and contractor Vinci Building, gathered together on site, to celebrate progress on the latest phase of the £350m Talbot Gateway transformation – a new £100m, 215,000 sq ft, highly-sustainable office building, which will become a new regional home for the Civil Service in Blackpool town centre. 

More than 3,000 public servants will relocate to the seven-storey building, when it completes, which is anticipated to be in the first quarter of 2025. 

The new offices will generate significant new footfall to the area, boosting trade to local businesses, retailers, restaurants, cafes and leisure facilities, alongside a wealth of new job opportunities for local people, along with excellent sustainable transport connectivity through train, bus and tram. 

Alan McBride, projects director at Muse, said: “We’re delighted to see the core of the building coming out of the ground, which as important milestone in the creation of this fantastic facility for the Civil Service and one that we should celebrate.

“As a business, we’re committed to creating places with purpose that create opportunities for communities to thrive and prosper, and we’re looking forward to seeing this striking building progress over the coming months.

“We’re delighted to be playing such pivotal role with the council in delivering our shared vision for building a Blackpool that’s resilient and ready for the future.” 

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “The new Civil Service hub is a major piece in our plan to develop the area around Blackpool North train station, bringing thousands of professional workers into the town centre who will spend money in local businesses, in turn creating new jobs and economic growth which makes Blackpool better for us all.

“It’s great to see the speed of this development and the build is progressing every single day with dozens of workers on site. We will now start to see the building really rise from the ground over the next few months, which will show real progress.

“Alongside the new development at the Holiday Inn, our future plans for the Multiversity, the improvements to our early evening economy with the first phase of Abingdon Street Market recently opening and The Backlot Cinema and Diner to follow this year, this will be a really exciting time for the town.”

Tony Grindrod, contracts manager at VINCI Building,“VINCI Building are delighted to see the superstructure starting to rise out of the ground on the Blackpool King Street project which is being undertaken in Partnership with Muse and Blackpool Council. The project has been on site for around four months now and soon the main steel frame will commence followed by the building façade later this year.

“VINCI Building have worked very hard with the client team to enhance the sustainability credentials of the project by utilising ultra-high strength concrete on the façade panels to minimise material use plus the utilisation of numerous other s

The new building has been designed by renowned architects, Make, to BREEAM “Excellent” standard, which means it will operate on low energy and promote both sustainable development and wellbeing.  

An inclusive approach to sustainability was taken from the outset to make sure the building will be as energy-efficient as possible, with high levels of insulation and air source heat pumps to provide low-carbon heating and cooling. Demand-drustainable techniques and innovations. VINCI with our supply chain partners have also set up a Community Skills Centre that will be used to train a number of young people from the local area and we are all very excited about this initiative taking shape over coming months.”

iven ventilation will improve indoor air quality, while at the same time allowing energy savings during times when the building is not occupied. 

During the building’s inception, partners completed early-stage whole life and upfront embodied carbon assessments, to eliminate inefficiencies where possible and reduce the building’s whole carbon footprint. This results in the new offices aiming to reduce its upfront embodied carbon intensity to 800 kgCO2e/m2. compared with 1100kgCO2e/m2 for a typical office development. 

The site, which will include a new town centre square with cycle and pedestrian routes, is within walking distance of the new tram interchange at Blackpool North Station. 

The interchange forms part of phase two of Talbot Gateway along with a new 144-bedroom Holiday Inn hotel, which will open in time for Easter next year, creating 50 new full-time jobs to the town. 

The long-standing partnership between Muse and Blackpool Council, has already delivered the 125,000 sq ft Number One Bickerstaffe Square council office, a Sainsbury’s supermarket and a refurbished 650-space multi-storey car park, alongside extensive public spaces for the community to enjoy. 

ENDS 

Media contact: 

Ryan Devlin, PR and communications manager 

T: 07970 454 046
E: Ryan.Devlin@museplaces.com 

Adam Ogden, Communications and Projects Manager, Blackpool Council 

T: 07442 883106 

E: adam.ogden@blackpool.gov.uk  / communications.team@blackpool.gov.uk 

Editor Notes 

Muse – the nationwide placemaker 

The nationwide placemaker, Muse, has almost 40 years of experience creating mixed-use communities across the UK.  

Our track record of leading complex, mixed-use regeneration gives us the experience to deliver successful places, with the emphasis on sustainability, community and quality. We’re working with partners in 36 places across the UK from Bradford to Brentford, from Salford to Lewisham, with close to 2,500 new homes and 800,000 sq ft of workspace currently on site and a gross development value of over £1.2bn.  

We combine local insight with the resources and capabilities of a nationwide organisation. Our regional businesses are based in Manchester, Leeds, London and Birmingham.  

As part of Morgan Sindall Group, we have the financial strength of a leading UK construction and regeneration group with an annual revenue of £3.6bn.  

Our focus is on strong partnerships in the many places we work across the UK and our national strategic joint ventures, The English Cities Fund – with Legal & General and Homes England – and Waterside Places with the Canal & River Trust.  

We’re building a brighter future, together.  

www.museplaces.com 

Work has started on a new £100m office building, which forms part of the place-changing £350m Talbot Gateway regeneration that is transforming the heart of Blackpool town centre. 

Nationwide placemaker, Muse, and its partner, Blackpool Council, have started work bringing forward a 215,000sq ft highly-sustainable office building for the Civil Service after naming VINCI Building as the contractor. 

More than 3,000 public servants will relocate to the striking, seven-storey regional hub, when it completes in March 2025. 

The new offices will generate significant new footfall to the area, boosting trade to local businesses, retailers, restaurants, cafes and leisure facilities, alongside a wealth of new job opportunities for local people. 

Alan McBride, projects director at Muse, said: “We’re pleased to appoint VINCI Building and to start on site building this fantastic facility on behalf of Blackpool Council. 

“As a business, we’re committed to creating places with purpose for people that offer tangible environmental and social benefits to local communities, and are looking forward to seeing the building progress.

“We’re focused with partners as we re-energise the town centre, by delivering a place that blends the town’s rich history with its aspirations for the future. We’re delighted to be playing such an important role with the council in delivering our shared vision for building a better, more attractive and resilient Blackpool”

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “It is fantastic to see this development start on site and is a great start to the New Year. Throughout the pandemic we were determined to push on with our regeneration of Blackpool and it is really exciting to see so much of our vision for the future coming to fruition.

“This physical generation for the future of our town is critical, but most importantly it means more jobs for local people and more money in local people’s pockets through a huge increase in footfall and spend in our town centre.

“This is the third phase of the Talbot Gateway development we have now delivered in partnership with Muse and we are pleased to welcome VINCI Building to that partnership and are looking forward to working with them and the social value benefits they can bring to our town through this contract.

“Jobs for local residents and spend in our local economy are key components of our town regeneration as that will build a sustainable future for generations to come. I am delighted that this new office development will start to take shape in the months ahead and in the most sustainable way possible, all helping to make Blackpool a better place to live and work.”

Gary Bowker, regional managing director at VINCI Building, said: “VINCI Building are so pleased to be involved in the exciting regeneration of Blackpool town centre. The development of such a significant Grade A office in the town centre will significantly increase daytime footfall once completed and will undoubtedly benefit local businesses over the long term. Low energy and low carbon design and material choice has been at the heart of decision making and this will result in a truly energy efficient, low carbon building that we can all be proud of. It has been a real team effort through the pre-construction phase, and we look forward to this continuing on to site.”

The new building has been designed by renowned architects, Make, to BREEAM “Excellent” standard, which means it will operate on low energy and promote both sustainable development and wellbeing.  

An inclusive approach to sustainability was taken from the outset to make sure the building will be as energy-efficient as possible, with high levels of insulation and air source heat pumps to provide low-carbon heating and cooling. Demand-driven ventilation will improve indoor air quality, while at the same time allowing energy savings during times when the building is not occupied. 

During the building’s inception, partners completed early-stage whole life and upfront embodied carbon assessments, to eliminate inefficiencies where possible and reduce the building’s whole carbon footprint. This results in the new offices aiming to reduce its upfront embodied carbon intensity to 800 kgCO2e/m2. compared with 1100kgCO2e/m2 for a typical office development. 

The site, which will include a new town centre square with cycle and pedestrian routes, is within walking distance of the new tram interchange at Blackpool North Station which is nearing completion. 

The interchange forms part of phase two of Talbot Gateway along with a new 144-bedroom Holiday Inn hotel, which will open later this year, creating 50 new full-time jobs to the town. 

The long-standing partnership between Muse and Blackpool Council, has already delivered the 125,000 sq ft Number One Bickerstaffe Square council office, a Sainsbury’s supermarket and a refurbished 650-space multi-storey car park, alongside extensive public spaces for the community to enjoy. 

While some of the parking has been taken away due to the construction of the new building, there will still be a limited number of spaces on East Topping Street car park. 

Nationwide placemaker, Muse, has a 40-year track record of leading complex, area-wide regeneration projects, and the experience to accelerate new neighbourhoods, with the emphasis on delivery, quality, and sustainability. We’re working with partners in 40 places across the UK from Bradford to Brentford, from Salford to Lewisham, with close to 2,500 new homes and 800,000 sq ft of workspace currently on site and a gross development value of over £1.2bn.  

ENDS 

Media contact: 

Ryan Devlin, PR and communications manager 

T: 07970 454 046
E: Ryan.Devlin@musedevelopments.com 

Kate Staley, Marketing and PR Manager, Blackpool Council 

T: 07796994587 

E:kate.staley@blackpool.gov.uk / communications.team@blackpool.gov.uk 

Editor Notes 

Muse – the placemaker 

The nationwide placemaker, Muse, has almost 40 years of experience creating mixed-use communities across the UK.  

We have a track record of leading complex, area-wide regeneration projects, and the experience to accelerate new neighbourhoods, with the emphasis on delivery, quality, and sustainability. We’re working with partners in 40 places across the UK from Bradford to Brentford, from Salford to Lewisham, with close to 2,500 new homes and 800,000 sq ft of workspace currently on site and a gross development value of over £1.2bn.  

As a network of regional businesses with a shared culture and goals, we combine local insight with the resources and capabilities of a large national player. Our regional teams are based in Salford, Leeds, London and Birmingham.  

As part of Morgan Sindall Group, we have the financial strength of a leading UK construction and regeneration group with an annual revenue of £3.2bn behind us.  

Our focus is on strong partnerships in the many places we work across the UK and our national strategic joint ventures, The English Cities Fund – with Legal & General and Homes England – and Waterside Places with the Canal & River Trust.  

We’re Muse and we’re building a brighter future, together.  

www.musedevelopments.com 

New images show the scale of the landmark development that has been awarded £40m of Levelling Up funding which will ensure delivery of a new Multiversity, a carbon-neutral, education campus in Blackpool’s Talbot Gateway Central Business District.

This allows Blackpool and the Fylde College to replace out of town centre facilities with world-class state-of-the-art one in the heart of the town centre.

The Multiversity will promote higher-level skills, helping residents in Blackpool secure jobs for the future.

Key benefits of the project include:

• Improving skills and opportunities – The investment in a new, high-quality, purpose-built educational facility will provide an unrivalled learning environment, encouraging more learners to choose to continue with their education in Blackpool. A tailored curriculum, catering for needs of employers in order to fill skills gaps across the Fylde Coast, means the Multiversity, by virtue of what is taught there, will link directly to employment opportunities.
• Supporting town centre regeneration – The development of the Multiversity adjacent to the town centre will complement other major developments, including the developments at Talbot Gateway, the extension to the Houndshill Shopping Centre and the new Winter Gardens Conference and Exhibition Centre, in providing year-round footfall into the town centre, reducing the impacts of seasonality.
• Built environment uplift – The Multiversity’s development will provide uplift to an area that has not previously benefitted from significant investment, improving the built environment significantly, and supporting the creation of high-quality, pedestrianised, public open space.

Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Councillor Lynn Williams said:

“We are really pleased to be able to confirm that we will be receiving £40 million from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for our Multiversity scheme.

“Our regeneration plans for the town have been ongoing for more than 10 years now.

“The awarding of this money is testament to the continual and tireless work to make these plans a reality for the people of Blackpool. Our priority is to provide decent, secure jobs for local people, encourage economic growth and to enable locals – young and old – to make the most of the opportunities available.

“£40m will go towards providing a new world-class university experience for residents which would be carbon neutral in its operation. The new learning environment would facilitate upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning within the town. Our town revitalisation plans will also be supported by bringing many students into the heart of Blackpool. The learning opportunities will be linked directly to local job opportunities filling any skill gaps across the Fylde Coast.

“Multiversity will be delivered through a partnership involving Blackpool Council and Blackpool and the Fylde College in association with Lancaster University. It will accommodate approximately 2,300 learners with many able to gain higher-level qualifications.

“It is heartening to know that our vision for the regeneration of our town has been recognised by central Government and we will continue to work with them and our partners across the town to make this vision a reality.

“Things are really tough for some of our residents right now but there is hope for the future, I am fully committed to making Blackpool better for all who live, work and visit our incredible town”.

Bev Robinson CBE, OBE, Principal and Chief Executive, Blackpool and the Fylde College said:

“We are delighted by today’s Levelling Up announcement that includes Multiversity, Blackpool.

“Multiversity will further enhance Higher Education opportunities for our communities across the Fylde whilst contributing to the regeneration of the town centre.  Both businesses and residents will benefit from Multiversity; delivering a highly skilled workforce that supports local and regional businesses to flourish and residents to gain rich career opportunities. This investment demonstrates the power of collaboration with our valued partner, Blackpool Council. Multiversity is great news for Blackpool.”

Following the announcement this morning, Councillor Michael Vincent, Leader of Wyre Council said:

“We are delighted to hear the announcement today. This project is a unique proposition, providing a cutting edge response to location, regional and national priorities. The proposed world class university experience is of significant importance to both Wyre and Blackpool residents and will benefit the whole Fylde coast. Creating a higher education campus in Blackpool town centre will be much more accessible, helping to remove barriers and open up more opportunities to university level education for our residents.”

ENDS