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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.

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.”

Blackpool’s £350m Talbot Gateway has taken another step towards full occupancy, with 300 workers relocating to the heart of the town centre.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) has moved into the Talbot Gateway around Blackpool North train station.

As an Arm’s Length Body of the Department of Health and Social Care, the NHSBSA delivers a range of national services to support the priorities of the NHS, Government and local health economies – including NHS Pensions and Student Services.

This week, staff moved into the first floor of Number One, Bickerstaffe Square, taking up a 22,000sqft office on a ten-year lease.

The deal also moves Blackpool’s Talbot Gateway towards full occupancy, with 99% of the 500,000sqft developed space around Blackpool North train station now occupied. Only one retail unit around Blackpool North tram stop remains available to rent.

The relocation of 300 NHSBSA staff is in addition to the 8,000 workers and students moving to the area from other organisations, as part of an expected boost to the town centre economy and creation of more jobs.

Over 500,000 sqft of commercial property has been developed in the Talbot Gateway over the last ten years, including new offices, supermarket, hotel and tramway extension, as well as gyms, restaurants, shops and education space. A new office for the Ministry of Defence is expected to open next year, while construction work for a new Multiversity college campus will start later this year.

The Talbot Gateway is highly accessible via train, tram and bus, while more car parking space has been created at new car parks on Dickson Road and Charles Street, with a planning application for a new multi storey car park to follow this year.

Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, said

“It’s great that more and more organisations are choosing to move their offices into Blackpool town centre.

“Blackpool is thriving at the moment, with billions of pounds of investment and one of the fastest growing economies in the North West, which means more jobs and opportunities for our local people.

“The Talbot Gateway has completely changed the look of the area around the train station and is really making Blackpool better. It is a vibrant hub of activity and more importantly is bringing jobs and money back into Blackpool town centre.

“That’s so important, because it means businesses can be confident enough to invest in new cafes, coffee shops and retail shops, creating a modern business district that people want to spend time in.”

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

A popular restaurant and bar at the heart of Blackpool’s Talbot Gateway central business district is set to expand.

Platform 9, which operates in the bar and lobby area of the Holiday Inn Blackpool will take over the Marco’s New York Italian restaurant from 12 January.

The move will allow the locally trained chefs to create a new menu and promises generous portions, bold flavours and excellent value for professional lunches, as well as catering for the growing student numbers from the forthcoming Multiversity.

Since opening in May 2024, the hotel has welcomed over 110,000 guests and continues to offer a popular branded hotel in the town centre. It was also recently named as the best Holiday Inn in the UK and Ireland for guest experience by brand owners IHG.

Mark Winter, General Manager at Holiday Inn Blackpool, said:

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the popularity of the hotel since we opened. As well as rooms being booked, people are really enjoying using the lobby and Platform 9 area to eat, meet and socialise.

“This move will allow us to be more flexible with the menu that we offer. I know that our kitchen and waiting staff are excited to let their creativity flow with a new menu and offering specials for our guests to enjoy.

“We will be releasing tables to book through the Platform 9 website soon, as well as releasing the new menu. Anybody with a booking after 12 January will be getting a phonecall about the changes and inviting them to try out the new expanded Platform 9.”

Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment at Blackpool Council, added:

“We knew that a hotel and restaurant would be a success, particularly when sandwiched between the train station and tramway extension, and with over 8,000 workers and students on their doorstep in the coming years.

“This move will allow the Platform 9 offer to grow, reducing commission and offering more flexibility to the excellent team which run the hotel already.”

The hotel is owned by Blackpool Council and run by RBH Hospitality under the Holiday Inn brand.

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

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