The Blackpool Lead

30/10/2025

Blackpool Council needs to take greater ‘accountability’ for its role in the death of a father-of-four.

That’s the conclusion of Blackpool Council’s own Conservative leader of the opposition, Cllr Paul Galley, who slammed the authority for its reluctance to issue an apology to Alistair Taylor’s family.

The inquest has drawn a conclusion about the council's role in Alistair Taylor's death - but the battle to ensure it doesn't happen again is only just starting

28/10/2025

A prominent 90-bed Blackpool hotel in Talbot Square is set to be given an extensive internal renovation, if plans are given the go ahead.

Forshaw’s Hotel, whose ground floor is a retail area which includes the Turtle Bay restaurant and an adjoining Starbucks coffee house, would have its upper storeys refurbished.

For many years the Grade II premises operated as The Clifton Hotel, on the corner of Talbot Road and the Promenade, before being rebranded as a Travelodge in the mid 2000s.

An application has been lodged with Blackpool Council planners for planning consent to carry out internal refurbishment involving cosmetic upgrades, demolition of selected internal walls within the basement, ground floor and first floor, two new staircases within the basement and ground floor and refit of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing system using existing service routes.

A heritage, design and access statement said: “The hotel is a Grade II listed building situated within the Blackpool Town Centre Conservation Area.

“Whilst the external appearance remains largely consistent with its original architectural form, it is evident that substantial internal alterations have been undertaken over time.

“As a result, very little of the building’s historic fabric survives within the existing hotel.

“As this LBC (listed building consent) application relates solely to internal alterations, it is anticipated that the proposals are uncontentious.

“The site has an extensive planning history, with multiple phases of development undertaken over several decades that have transformed it into its present form.

“It is noted that this extensive history of alteration, particularly to the building’s interior, has diminished its heritage value as minimal historic fabric now remains within the existing hotel.”

In determining the application, planners will need to consider Section 66(1) of the Act, which states: “In considering whether to grant planning permission for development which affects a listed building or its setting, the local planning authority or, as the case may be, the Secretary of State shall have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses.”

The heritage, design and access statement concluded: “The proposed works represent a sensitive and proportionate approach to the refurbishment of this Grade II listed building within the Town Centre Conservation Area.

“The refurbishment will enhance the building’s functionality and appearance, bringing it in line with modern hotel standards while preserving its heritage value.”

28/10/2025

The leader of Blackpool Council has responded with anger after comments from the Conservative leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch over Blackpool’s role in the grooming gangs scandal.

Kemi Badenoch said Labour councils - naming Blackpool - were attempting to suppress the truth over the issue

24/10/2025

Potential buyers are in discussions over the sale of Blackpool’s iconic North Pier, one of the town’s top attractions.

There has been a steady stream of interest since the iconic Grade II landmark went on the market in July.

The Sedgwick family, who also own Central Pier and South Pier, bought North Pier in 2011.

After 14 years of ownership, the family say selling it was a decision they made “with a heavy heart” but one they felt was necessary to enable them to focus on their other sites.

The sale was initially being handled by Avison Young but is currently being dealt with by Newmark, a prominent commercial property estate agents, with offices across the country.

Richard Baldwin, who is involved in sale negotiations, said: “There has been quite a lot of interest in the North Pier.

“We are continuing to discuss the sale with a number of parties but can’t say more at this stage.”

Peter Sedgwick bought Central and South piers for around £8million in 2015, but there is no suggestion that these are to be sold.

The pier is being sold as a fully equipped freehold business, complete with its well-known attractions.

These include the 1,465-seat Joe Longthorne Theatre, an amusement arcade, an adult gaming centre, a family entertainment centre, a two-tier Victorian carousel, an electric train and a range of cafés, bars and takeaways.

In 2024, North Pier generated around £2.3 million in total turnover, with concessions bringing in roughly £154,000.

It employs ten full-time staff, three part-time staff and about 40 seasonal workers. All relevant licences can be transferred to the new owner, though a Gambling Licence and Personal Licences will be required to operate the gaming facilities.

It is Blackpool’s oldest pier, first opened in 1863, and remains a popular attraction.

This sale offers leisure operators -and investors – a rare opportunity to take on a heritage venue in a major UK seaside resort.

No asking price has been disclosed.

23/10/2025

Six flats in a house in Blackpool’s North Shore could become self contained apartments with a degree of housing support, if proposals get the go ahead.

An application has been lodged with Blackpool Council planners for a Certificate of Lawfulness of Proposed Use or Development (CLPUD) relating to the proposed use of 6 apartments on Finchley Road, off Gynn Square.

It is proposed that the six apartments are used for use as six self-contained apartments with limited housing support in the property, a sizeable semi-detached house.

In seeking a Lawfulness Certificate, applicants My Space Housing Solutions argue that a planning application is not needed as the proposals do not amount to a ‘change of use’.

In a planning statement on behalf of the applicants, De Pol town planners stated: “It is considered that the flats at the property benefit form an unrestricted C3 ( flats/ houses) use and therefore there is no change of use and no restriction on the flats being used individually for this purpose.

“Each of the six flats will provide a home for people referred by Blackpool’s Housing Options team on the basis of a need for housing.

“Each tenant will sign up to a shorthold tenancy agreement, the same as any other landlord/tenant arrangement, and the applicant will provide minimum support necessary to facilitate independent living.

“All tenants will be adults and over the age of 18 years.”

My Space Housing Solutions would provide support such as helping the occupants understand tenant responsibilities; Advice in financing and managing a budget; understanding a good neighbour agreement; signposting tenants to other services and specialised agencies as required; support on isolation; and keeping themselves safe.

The support provided at the apartments would be limited and provide for wholly independent living.

The planning statement concluded: “After taking account of relevant legislation, planning permission is accordingly not required for the proposed use which could lawfully take place within the subject premises.

“A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) should therefore be granted. “

22/10/2025

A growing number of children in Blackpool are living in poverty, figures have revealed ahead of next month’s Budget.

Some 9,421 youngsters were classed as living in absolute poverty in 2023/24, up from 6,907 in 2018/19, figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show.

The two-child benefit cap is directly making it harder for families in Blackpool to escape poverty

19/10/2025

Alistair Taylor's decision to end his own life came as a result of a number of different factors - but one of them was Blackpool Council's enforced purchase of his home, a coroner has now ruled.

Alistair's family told us this cannot be allowed to happen to another family.

The Blackpool Lead was at the three-day inquest looking into the death of the much-loved and respected barber and father Alistair Taylor

17/10/2025

A seafront lap dancing club has applied to Blackpool Council for the renewal of its ‘s*xual encounter venue licence’.

The application has been lodged with Blackpool Council’s licensing hub by club owner Ashley Sayers and is awaiting a decision after potential objectors had until September 24 to make any comments.

Eden 2 is based at 96 Promenade Blackpool and is an established venue in the town.

The document states: “If granted this will allow the premises to operate as a s*xual encounter venue. from Thursday to Sunday from 2pm to 5am.”

The licence must be renewed annually following changes in legislation which came into force in 2012.

The application will be considered before a decision is made by the council.

There are currently three lap dancing venues licensed to operate in Blackpool: Eden Two, Heaven, and Sinless .

B;Blackpool Council has stated that it is looking to phase out s*xual entertainment venues in an effort to make Blackpool more of a family resort – and to support efforts to reduce violence against women.

But supporters of the venues say closing down established premises would put women at more risk by forcing dancers to work at unlicensed venues, which would offer less protection.

Chelsea Ferguson, a former lap dancer turned entrepreneur said: “Women should be able to choose freely how to earn a living.

“Instead, I fear that within a few years, strip clubs in the UK may cease to exist – along with opportunities for women – all because of a few busybody politicians who think they speak for an entire sector of women that they know nothing about.

“But stripping wouldn’t disappear, it would just be more dangerous for the women.

“Clubs have security, CCTV and strict rules to keep dancers safe, but those safety nets would vanish overnight and that’s really scary.”

Blackpool Council previously said: “Although the number of premises in the policy has been reduced to zero, we currently have three licensed premises and they will be able to continue as long as they comply with the legislation and licence conditions.

“This means from the point of view of existing venues, nothing has changed by the policy that was introduced in 2021.

“However once the licence is surrendered or revoked, any new application would be considered against the limit of zero.”

15/10/2025

Blackpool South MP Chris Webb is one of 13 Labour MPs who has written to Rachel Reeves to call on her to scrap council tax.

The Lead North called for the abolition of council tax earlier this year - now MPs are starting to agree

14/10/2025

A petition has been launched to replace Rolf Harris’ name on Blackpool’s Comedy Carpet with that of the resort’s popular stage hypnotist Ken Webster.

It follows a call by resident Eddie Fewings for the late Australian-born entertainer’s name to be removed in light of his conviction for s*xual offences against young girls.

Mr Fewings said it was no longer acceptable for the name to be included in a major family attraction in the town.

Blackpool Council says the name will not be removed, according to the wishes of the artist who created the Comedy Carpet.

Nevertheless, a campaign has been started to get his name replaced with the hypnotist’s.

Ken Webster, 61, has performed at Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s Horseshoe Bar for 37 years and the production is believed to be the longest running hypnosis show, in one venue, in the world.

The Scarborough-born entertainer has also appeared on Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.

The petition was started by ‘mind magician’ Joanathan Royle who said:” Ken Webster is a performer whose decades-long contribution to Blackpool’s entertainment scene has brought laughter and positivity to generations of audiences.

“He has humour, heart, and a lifelong contribution to Blackpool’s entertainment legacy, Surely he is far more deserving of a place among the town’s comedy greats.”

The Comedy Carpet, unveiled in 2011 and situated in front of the Blackpool Tower, celebrates over 850 names from the world of comedy.

Ken Webster said he was flattered by the campaign and joked that he would measure the letters and have his name printed out and stuck on, if the campaign failed.

He said: “I think I’m a bit more popular than Rolf Harris at the moment and I’ve been performing in Blackpool for 37 years without a break.

“I would love to have my name on the Comedy Carpet but it’s up to the powers that be.

“It can’t be right to have a s*x offender’s name on there. If not my name then someone else deserving.”

Blackpool Council says Rolf Harris’ name will not be removed , however, maintaining the same position following similar calls 11 years ago, after consultation with artist and carpet creator, Gordon Young.

A Blackpool Council spokesperson said: “After much careful consideration in 2014, Blackpool Council as commissioners of the artwork and Gordon Young as the artist that created the original design decided not to erase Rolf Harris’s name off the Comedy Carpet.

“Mr Harris’s acts were despicable but his name being on the carpet in no way condones those acts.

“At the time of the Comedy Carpet being created and installed there was no reason to question the inclusion of Rolf Harris. His name appears on the Comedy Carpet along with a thousand others due to his links to comedy sketches and songs. There are no references to his work other than his name.

“As commissioners of the artwork, we have respected the decision of the artist and are mutually in agreement not to erase Rolf Harris’s name. The artist felt that the reason he is there is because he wanted to reference all the comedians that had performed in Blackpool over the years and Harris was one of those performers, a fact that cannot be erased.”

13/10/2025

“It’s the most wonderful idea,” Claire Smith, who runs the Number One South Beach hotel and is president of Stay Blackpool told The Blackpool Lead. “They have done a great job.

“If the Illuminations are on and we have Christmas By The Sea, it gives us a really good out-of-season option.”

It has been welcomed by the businesses it aims to support - but there remains scepticism in the council opposition ranks

11/10/2025

As pop artist Olly Murs flicked the switch to launch another dazzling Lights season, he continued a tradition that - barring blackouts caused by the world wars and the Covid pandemic - dates back to 1879.

More than 20,000 people gathered on the Tower Festival Headland, opposite the Tower, to watch the free ticketed Switch-On on the last Friday night of August, with the concert also featuring The X Factor winner Louisa Johnson, rock band Toploader and local talent performing under the banner Blackpool Introduces.

Through autumn and winter, millions more will walk, drive, cycle and jog under the almost six miles of traditional festoons, tableaux and interactive features along the Promenade.

While the more than one million twinkling lights would have once been switched off again after 66 nights, they will now remain lit over the Christmas and New Year period before going dark on January 4 2026.

But what impact has the decision had? The FULL tale in tomorrow's newsletter.