Seafront hotel opens new extension

A multi-million pound extension to The Hampton by Hilton Hotel on Blackpool’s seafront will open to guests later this month.

Originally built in 2018 as part of the first phase of Blackpool Council’s regeneration of South Shore, the hotel now has 74 new bedrooms added to its original 130.

The hotel extension, which doubles the footprint of the building, provides larger kitchen and dining areas, a new ‘grab and go’ breakfast bar, more flexible meeting spaces and additional parking.

Gill Mathison, hotel co-owner and brand director, said: “Since we first opened our doors in 2018, the hotel has been extremely successful. We believe that our investment in the extension will improve the customer experience for both our leisure and business visitors alike.”

Designed by Tim Groom architects, Hampton by Hilton’s extension is one of the key developments for Blackpool in 2023, along with the tramway extension, new Fraser’s store and Backlot IMAX multiplex cinema in the Houndshill Centre, all forming part of the council’s improvement strategy for the town.

Paul Mathison, co-owner of the hotel, said: “As Blackpool continues to regenerate and flourish, we are confident the newly extended hotel will continue to be at the forefront of that transformation and help attract even more visitors.

The Hampton by Hilton was named ‘Large Hotel of the Year’ in the 2022 Lancashire Tourism Awards. Staff have also been recognised with several industry awards. The new extension will create up to 20 new jobs.

It has also been welcomed by Blackpool’s business community. Steve Peters, managing director at Blackpool Airport, said: “The additional rooms and facilities being added to the Hampton offer an excellent accommodation option for general aviation and corporate aircraft visitors to Blackpool Airport now and in the future, as traffic volume through the airport grows.

“This development helps enhance Blackpool as a destination, and we hope visitors to the airport, whether flying in or visiting based customers on business, will make full use of the new facilities.”