Construction of Blackpool museum supports local economy

The design and build of Showtown, the new museum set to open in Blackpool in 2023, has prioritised Lancashire suppliers and employed young local workers.

The creation of the £13m seaside attraction is being led Conlon Construction, which has enlisted the services of local companies including James Mercer Group, Chris Bowker Electrical and LN Joinery.

The Bamber Bridge firm has also involved 11 students in the project in a bid to support the local construction talent pipeline.

Neil Conlon, business development manager at Conlon Construction, said: "We’re always keen to demonstrate that we are avid supporters of the local community, which is why we ensure that 80 per cent of our workforce and suppliers are based within a 30-mile radius of our projects. 

"The same applies for the young people we bring into projects like this one. The region urgently needs a conveyor belt of talented tradespeople to support our future infrastructure, and we want to play a role in achieving that.

"Because without the support of apprentices and other students, our business wouldn’t be what it is. This is our future and every business in Lancashire and the wider North West should be taking similar steps to support the next generation of talent.”

Coun Lynn Williams, Blackpool Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Tourism, Arts and Culture, said: “It’s fantastic to see young people playing a major role in the delivery of the Showtown development and learn key skills on-site as part of their apprenticeships, T Levels courses and HNC qualifications.

"The hard work and enthusiasm from the students is inspiring and it’s wonderful to see young women learning about the variety of different roles available for females in construction."

Claudiu Mathe, 22, said: “I’ve been working on the Showtown museum for just over a month as part of my T Level course with Blackpool and The Fylde College. I’m training in plumbing and heating, and being able to work on this project has made me excited for my future – I can see myself, in five years’ time, having a van with my name on it, running my own business.”