Blackpool Council pledges £1m to support tourism economy

Blackpool Council has unveiled a £1m package of support to help promote the resort's tourism offer.

The funds will be invested in a large-scale marketing operation to bring in visitors in 2021, a TV-led marketing campaign to be rolled out in 2022 and the creation of a Tourism Business Improvement District.

The TBID will be led by key stakeholders in the tourism industry and has the potential to secure a further £1m of funding for marketing and events over the next five years. It will partner private businesses with Blackpool Council, VisitBlackpool and Business In The Community, and will complement the existing Town Centre BID.

Although Blackpool recently cancelled its popular air show for 2021, the latest milestone on the government’s roadmap sees some major outdoor attractions including Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Blackpool Zoo open up from April 12, along with self-catering accommodation, non-essential retail and outdoor hospitality. That is due to be followed by the opening up of indoor attractions and hospitality, and hotels and guest houses on May 17.

The resort had already announced that it will extend the Illuminations for an extra four months, running until January 2022.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, cabinet member for tourism and culture for Blackpool Council, said: "The last 12 months of lockdowns and tier restrictions have had a devastating impact on our tourism and hospitality industry.

"As we have already seen with the cancellation of the Air Show a few days ago, there is the potential for further disruption to our traditional events programme, so it is essential that we focus on creating new and compelling reasons to visit as well as showcasing our myriad of family attractions and accommodation.

“We are committed to doing everything we can to accelerate the recovery process by investing in marketing and events that will encourage people to holiday here, not just in 2021, but in future years too. We are now working closely with destination partners to develop those plans by utilising funds that are designated for business support and reopening the economy."

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