Green light for conference centre as Northern Powerhouse gets £556m cash boost

The government today gave its backing to Blackpool’s plans for a 21st century conference centre and hotel at the iconic Winter Gardens as part of a £556m cash boost for the Northern Powerhouse project.

And the £25m Winter Gardens vision to help restore the resort to re-establish itself as a leading conference destination was on the list of projects highlighted.

The PM was also using the regional cabinet meeting to launch her plans for a new ‘modern’ Industrial Strategy for the UK, with her government set to take a more active, interventionist role.

As part of those deals the government says it is “prepared to offer a range of support, including addressing regulatory barriers to innovation and growth, looking at how we can use trade and investment deals to increase exports, or supporting the creation of new institutions to provide leadership, support innovation or boost skills.”

She said: “The Modern Industrial Strategy will back Britain for the long term: creating the conditions where successful businesses can emerge and grow, and backing them to invest in the long-term future of our country.

The green paper also sets out technologies where Britain has strengths in research and development which could be supported through the government’s new Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, including: smart energy technologies; robotics and artificial intelligence and 5G mobile network technology.

Terry Scuoler, chief executive of EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, welcomed the announcement.