Blackpool Council signs off on 17 acre entertainment site

Blackpool Council has agreed terms and completed the contract which will bring a spectacular new entertainment offering to a 17 acre site in the centre of the seaside town.

Nikal Ltd and Media Invest Entertainment have taken on a 250 year lease of the Blackpool Central site, and will begin work converting it into a sci-fi themed adventureland with rides, restaurants and a 250-bedroom hotel.

Blackpool hopes the development will bring in £300m investment, create more than 1,000 new jobs and attract more than 600,000 new visitors to Blackpool every year.

The enabling phase of the masterplan, which was initially approved in December of 2018, will see the construction of a new 1,300 space multi-storey car park with coach drop-off facilities.

The first major phase of the project will incorporate several key components including the UK’s first flying theatre, Virtual Reality Experience, Greatest Mysteries Multimedia Exhibition Space, Adventure Land, Thrill & Gaming Zone, Alien Diner, an artisan food hall, and event square and a 150 bedroom hotel.

The second phase of the plan includes residential apartments, further food and drink outlets and a second hotel comprising 250 bedrooms and landscaped public space.

The agreement ensures the effective viability and deliverability of the project.

Simon Blackburn, leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We are delighted to have finalised the details of the contract and are confident and happy to have secured the best possible deal for the site and that the final agreed terms meet our desires and ambitions for the comprehensive redevelopment of Blackpool Central.

"The agreement offers Nikal and Media Invest Entertainment the flexibility around the phasing programme to ensure the effective viability and deliverability of the project, whilst securing the council’s ability to retain the revenue income from the site for the long term future.

Alan Murphy, Nikal’s co-founder, said: “Blackpool has a long history of debuting state-of-the-art family entertainment. We are excited to be delivering the UK’s first Chariots of the Gods themed attraction to the north west of England along with all other phases. We look forward to working with Blackpool Council to deliver this landmark development for the town.”

DWF Legal Advisors and JLL Property Consultants acted on behalf of the council.

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