Blackpool’s open to change

Blackpool is officially back on the map as a business tourism destination!

Following the news the resort is to open a brand new conference facility in 2019, interest has grown and grown over the last few weeks.

But, we are delighted to announce that, first past the post and first to confirm their national congress will take place in Blackpool, is the GMB Union who will bring the national congress to resort in June 2020.

New bookings

Event organisers are really starting to believe the new regenerated Blackpool offer can once again compete with what’s available elsewhere.

Blackpool has reinvigorated its business tourism offer with over £500m of private and public investment in new amenities, upgraded accommodation, improved infrastructure and improved transport connectivity.

Investment

At the heart of the new offer will be the planned new £25m Blackpool Conference & Exhibition Centre which was announced in a speech by Prime Minister Theresa May earlier this year.

Being developed adjacent to the world-famous Winter Gardens, the new state-of-the-art 6,150 square metre conference space will be able to host up to 2,000 people independently, or working with the rest of the Winter Gardens up to 7,000 people in total.

New conference centre

Due to open May 2019, the new conference centre’s arrival will coincide with four new purpose-built hotels within the resort which have already been granted planning, and a fifth hotel adjoining the conference centre will complete phase II of the development.

When all five hotels are successfully developed this will add an additional 700 rooms of four-star or above to Blackpool's existing hotel stock, including 156 rooms adjacent to the new Winter Gardens development.

New transport hub

Another transformation will be the forthcoming electrification of the Blackpool to Preston rail line due to be completed next May.

This will result in an increase in the number of direct services to Blackpool from London and other major towns and cities from right across the UK.

Simultaneously Blackpool is set to get a new tram interchange at Blackpool North Station that will result in the resort’s Promenade tramway system linking to the main rail network. This means for the very first-time visitors from across the country will be able to travel directly to Blackpool by train into the new transport hub and then have direct access to the new in-resort transport system.

New attractions

Arrive for business, stay for leisure! Increased accessibility also means that delegates attending events at the new Winter Gardens conference centre will be able to easily explore the whole of the resort including our world-class attractions such as the iconic Blackpool Tower and Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

New infrastructure

Visitors will also enjoy the £250m transformation of the Blackpool seafront, a project which has seen the creation of six new headlands, the development of the sweeping Spanish steps which lead right onto the beach, the celebrated 2,200 square metre Comedy Carpet opposite The Blackpool Tower, and the remodelling of seven miles of Blackpool Promenade.

Blackpool is hoping to build on recent tourism figures which confirm its place as the UK’s most visited seaside resort.

Latest STEAM figures for Blackpool show the town enjoyed a 1.4% increase in visitors in 2015, taking the total to 17 million.

Make Blackpool the destination of choice for your business and take another look at what the resort can offer! Don’t let outdated perceptions be the reason for not considering the UK’s favourite seaside destination.Lancashire Ambassadors

Ambassadors are experts in their field. Drawn from several industry sectors, they are enthusiastic in their support for Blackpool to once again be a leader as a conference destination.

Research has shown Ambassador-led conferences generate substantial economic impact in many other towns and cities and helped raise the profile of many of the North West’s research, healthcare and education institutions.Let the team submit a no obligation tender for your next event, we believe we can impress you with our venues, our accommodation offer, our social programme activity and our value for money.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Lancashire Business View

Latest news

1

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston Momentum

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston

25 Jul 2025

2

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards Ben Garland and Julia Lorente

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards

24 Jul 2025

3

Work is set to start on Multiversity project Multiversity Blackpool

Work is set to start on Multiversity project

24 Jul 2025

4

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft Typhoon production Warton

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

23 Jul 2025

5

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C EDF Assystem

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C

22 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech
July PTC banner long updated.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin