New conference facilities planned for Blackpool's Winter Gardens

A brand new conference centre could form the next step in the revival and regeneration of Blackpool's visitor economy.

If the Executive agrees to progressing the plans, Blackpool Council will formally submit bids for external funding to build a brand new, purpose designed conference venue on the former split level car park site on Leopold Grove. The new-build venue will include a state of the art conference hall for 2,000 delegates, a 1,200sqm exhibition hall and break out spaces as well as much needed catering facilities.

Started in 1878, Blackpool Winter Gardens developed to become one of the most important entertainment centres in the country and after World War II, conferencing became a core part of the offer, with all the major political parties holding their annual conferences at the venue. This changed in 2007 with all parties moving their national conferences out of Blackpool.

The outline scheme, which has now been submitted to planning, delivers all of the above, particularly in how it deals with connecting the new building and the Empress Ballroom. Construction materials will be agreed at a later stage but the architects are currently exploring options around cast terracotta and ceramic finishes which are a direct reference to the materials of which the rest of the complex is built.

“The recent demolition of the car park at the Winter Gardens has provided a rare opportunity to build on land the Council already owns and which directly connects to two of our most iconic venues.

“Through the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, and the Lancashire Combined Authority, I am hopeful that we can gain up to £20 million in funding towards construction costs - but these are highly competitive bidding processes, which will need support from businesses and other councils across Lancashire. Huge amounts of work are being undertaken, by me and others, to try and turn this dream into reality. If we are successful, this will herald a dramatic new chapter on Blackpool's long and proud conference history."

can be viewed online

Enjoyed this? Read more from Lancashire Business View

Latest news

1

Double delight for Vincents two newest solicitors Beth Laws and Yasmine Dragan at Vincents Solicitors’ office in Winckley Square Preston

Double delight for Vincents two newest solicitors

14 Feb 2025

2

Bowker Motor Group celebrates record number of apprentices in 40 year history Bowker Preston BMW Apprentices.png.png

Bowker Motor Group celebrates record number of apprentices in 40 year history

13 Feb 2025

3

FWP transforms Health-Based Places of Safety for NHS trust One of the Tameside suites

FWP transforms Health-Based Places of Safety for NHS trust

13 Feb 2025

4

Pleasure Beach partners with industry giant Coca-Cola Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Pleasure Beach partners with industry giant Coca-Cola

13 Feb 2025

5

Prestigious honour given to Mark Birchall at Michelin Guide Awards Mark Birchall Courtesy Michelin

Prestigious honour given to Mark Birchall at Michelin Guide Awards

12 Feb 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
Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Awards
14 Jan 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 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

Understanding & Preventing Sexual Harassment - Creating Safe & Respectful Workplaces
Supporting Women's Health in Your Teams A Path to Success-3.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2025

Understanding & Preventing Sexual Harassment - Creating Safe & Respectful Workplaces

*, Online, *

12:30 - 13:30

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

Women's Health champion training
Supporting Women's Health in Your Teams A Path to Success-6.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Women's Health champion training

*, Online, *

10:00 - 16:00

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person
RKMS ACADEMY LOGO - BLACK AND ORANGE.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person

RKMS Group , Blackpool, FY42DP

09:30 - 17:00

Employment Law, Tax and Payroll Update - East Lancashire
PM and M event
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Employment Law, Tax and Payroll Update - East Lancashire

Accrington Stanley Football Club, Accrington, BB5 5BX

08:00 - 10:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: February
Freelancer Meet-Up Feb.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: February

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Kickstart Networking - Crazy Golf at Level, Preston
Kickstart Crazy Golf.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
27 Feb 2025 - 27 Feb 2025

Kickstart Networking - Crazy Golf at Level, Preston

Level, Preston, PR1 1HT

16:00 - 18:00

StackedX with PM+M and CFO Techstack
LBV Hub Seminars
27 Feb 2025 - 27 Feb 2025

StackedX with PM+M and CFO Techstack

Red Hall Hotel, Bury, BL9 5NA

08:00 - 10:00

Post Employee Ownership Trust: What's the story?
LBV image.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Mar 2025 - 04 Mar 2025

Post Employee Ownership Trust: What's the story?

Brabners, Preston, PR5 6AW

11:00 - 12:30

North West (Preston) Finance Leaders Networking Event
MHA-BTI Logo_black (002).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
05 Mar 2025

North West (Preston) Finance Leaders Networking Event

Farington Lodge Hotel, Stanifield Lane Farington, Preston, PR25 4QR

08:00 - 10:00

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 LBV120 Online Graphic 1
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin