Government commits £20m to explore Blackpool arena vision

The government has committed £20m to the development of a world-class entertainment venue and new indoor arena in Blackpool.

Thousands of residents have signed Chris Webb MP’s petition, joining him in calling on the government to invest in an arena for Blackpool.

Chris has spent recent months making the case to ministers that Blackpool deserves ambitious investment to strengthen its economy, create jobs and cement its position as one of the UK's leading entertainment destinations.

The proposal for Blackpool Central has now received backing from the secretary of state for culture, media and sport, Lisa Nandy.

The proposed arena would become the centrepiece of the Blackpool Central regeneration project and attract major concerts, sporting events, comedy, exhibitions and live entertainment throughout the year.

The government investment will fund the next stages of work, including assessing the arena's feasibility and developing a robust business case.

If the project goes ahead, an arena is expected to bring significant economic and social benefits to the town, helping to drive year-round tourism, support existing cultural venues, increase overnight stays and boost hotels, restaurants, bars, retail businesses and attractions across Blackpool.

Chris Webb MP said: “Last year Blackpool Council asked residents for their views on the future of the Blackpool Central regeneration site.

“I made the case for a new multi-use arena, and since then thousands of local residents, local artists and industry experts have backed that vision.

“After making the case in Parliament, I’m delighted to have secured £20m from the government to help explore the feasibility of an arena, unlock the opportunity and take the first major step towards seeing whether this exciting vision can become a reality.

“This funding gives Blackpool the opportunity to properly test whether the project is commercially viable and put us in the strongest possible position to attract an experienced private-sector partner with the expertise to develop, operate and programme a world-class venue.

“For too long we’ve watched major events choose other towns and cities because we simply haven’t had the facilities to compete. This investment gives us the opportunity to explore whether we can change that.”