Once upon a time, Blackpool was the mecca for Brits looking for some fun on the seafront. But in recent decades the town has fallen on hard times, with reports of rampant drug-use and child poverty.
In a bid to rediscover its mojo, Blackpool Council and developers Nikal Ltd are in the “final stages of completing the enabling phase” of a £300 million regeneration project that local politicians will be hoping will reverse the place’s fortunes.
The ambitious new plans include a “year-round, world-class leisure destination” built on the site of the old Blackpool Central train station.
The council confirmed to Express.co.uk that eye-catching proposals for a “flying theatre” are still very much on the table.
A Blackpool Council spokesperson said: “The developers (Nikal Ltd.) are in the final stages of completing the enabling phase of the project, which provides a new multi-storey car park with circa 1300 car parking spaces. It is anticipated this will be completed in Spring in readiness for operation this coming visitor season.
“The completion of the car park is a significant step forward as it facilitates the ability to release the rest of the site for development, which is being delivered over multiple phases.
“The Council and the developer remain in close dialogue regarding the drawdown of land for the delivery of Phases 1 & 2 and the programme associated with this. We continue to look forward to seeing further progress over the course of this year and the next few years to come.
“The proposals still include a flying theatre, one of the key attractions put forward by the developer within their scheme.”
The plans, which were first reported in 2018, will likely be welcomed by local residents, who have expressed their concern at the plight of their area for some time.
Roofer Joseph Underwood, 52, told The Sun: “The poverty and conditions are simply shocking. I have a friend who lives in an area with rats and mould.
“And you see crack and heroin being openly smoked in the streets. It’s incredible. Some areas of the town are so bad, it’s like Beirut.”
Unemployed Joe Morris, 36, told the publication: “I’ve seen kids in bare feet walking the streets. It’s shocking. There is a lot of poverty here.”
Retired security guard John Gould, 73, said that despite already being deprived, Blackpool is finding new ways to decline.
He said: “It’s definitely got worse over the years. Some of the poverty is shocking with more people having to go to foodbanks over the years.
“They have ploughed a lot of money into the town but the people seem to be getting worse off.”
Blackpool Pleasure Beach manager and dad-of-one Karl Jenkinson, 23, struck a similar tone, adding: “The area we live in isn’t great and it is a struggle getting by even though I work. We pay £850-a-month for a flat that has mould. I worry for my daughter’s health.”
