Government approves full Blackpool Town Deal funding

The government has approved Blackpool's £39.5m Town Deal allocation in full, meaning work can now begin on seven regeneration projects.

The £3.6bn Town Fund was announced in 2019, with Blackpool one of the first of 101 towns in the UK to secure funding. The money is aimed at strengthening the local economy and revitalising the town and will help to increase economic growth with a focus on regeneration, improved transport, better broadband connectivity, skills and culture.

With the green light from the government, Blackpool can now commerce work on the following programmes

• Relocating Blackpool’s County and Magistrates Courts, which releases land for the final phase of the £300m private sector investment at Blackpool Central. (£6.95m)
• Relocating the Blackpool & The Fylde College’s Palatine Road campus to allow the creation of a world class university learning environment in the town centre. (£9m)
• Creating a new road to open up development sites to attract jobs and investment at the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone. (£7.5m)
• Regeneration of the Revoe area, creating new sports pitches and facilities for community use. (£6.5m)
• Redevelopment of the existing town centre Stanley Buildings to create The Edge - modern office space for new start-ups and growing businesses, including business advice for growth-ambitious small businesses. (£4.5m)
• Upgrades to the illuminations (£4.5m)
• The development of a youth hub (£500,000)

Paul Smith, chair of the Town Deal Board, said: "It is a huge step forward now these projects have been given the final seal of approval.

"The Town Deal Board proudly works to that ensure we represent the needs and views of the Blackpool community and businesses and I am confident this investment is going to the right places with the right plans. We will continue to serve the town by ensuring the plans we have in place deliver the results needed."

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