The Blackpool Lead

27/05/2026

The installation of 17 rock headlands of Blackpool’s beach will create a level of risk to millions of tourists that cannot be protected against.

RNLI's objection must be addressed properly if plans are to have any public confidence

27/05/2026

The number of people visiting Blackpool every year is in dispute - with the town’s new tourism boss calling for more accurate estimates.

Some 68.6m people are said to have arrived in the resort in 2024, up from 66.7m the year before, according to figures from Marketing Lancashire.

But members of the local authority’s tourism committee have questioned the stats and “raised concerns” about their reliability and the methods used to produce them.

23/05/2026

A popular bus service that’s helped thousands of visitors make the most of holidays on the Fylde coast is set to return ahead of the summer season.

First launched last year, the ‘Resort Rider’ buses proved a huge hit with both tourists and local residents alike by bringing the year-round Service 1 and seasonal Service 2 buses together under a single brand.

Offering easy access to top attractions from the Cala Gran Holiday Park and hotels along the promenade, the service is now set to return bigger and better than ever before.

Jamie Swift, the operator’s Head of Commercial, said: “From June 20, Resort Rider 1 will run along the promenade as far as St Annes, with Route Resort Rider 2 serving Fleetwood, Cala Gran, and all the Piers before running on to Blackpool Zoo.

“Between them, the routes serve all the best places to visit in Blackpool and beyond, including the Tower and Pleasure Beach, and anyone who climbs aboard a Resort Rider bus knows they are heading in the right direction for all the world-famous sights.”

Although the Resort Rider brand is primarily targeted at tourists, residents can also be able to take advantage of the services, which run every hour and offer a combined 30 minute frequency between Fleetwood and Blackpool’s piers.

Mr Swift added: “By improving transport links in the town, Blackpool becomes an even more attractive place to visit, live or work, and we will continue to review routes and services to meet the needs of customers and local businesses, including our fantastic tourist attractions.”

23/05/2026

A major bank which is one of the few to have Fylde coast branches still left open has announced a raft of closures across the UK.

Although Halifax has not included the branches at Blackpool (Church Street) and Cleveleys (Victoria Road West) in the list of confirmed closures in May and June this year, there is concern over their future.

The bank group, which blamed the decision to shut the branches on customers shifting away from banking in person to using mobile services, has designated 46 branches across England for permanent closure throughout 2026 and 2027.

The closure announcement is causing concern to those, including many older people, who do not use internet banking and still rely on an ‘over the counter’ service.

Halifax bank is owned by Lloyds Banking Group and operates as a trading division of Bank of Scotland plc, which was acquired by Lloyds during the 2009 financial crisis

Despite the widespread closures of branches by other banking organisations in recent years, Halifax has kept branches open longer than any of its counterparts.

The branch at Poulton Street in Fleetwood was the last one standing in the town before it too closed last year, on June 25,, while the St Annes branch closed its doors earlier on June 12 and was similarly the town’s last remaining bank outlet.

The closure was seen as the "end of an era” and turned both towns into a “banking desert”.

Customers at Fleetwood were reassured that they could still visit the branch in Cleveleys, approximately three miles away, or the branch in Blackpool, some eight miles away from Fleetwood. The Blackpool branch is just over five miles from St Annes but accessible through direct public transport links with both towns..

However, the shadow of closure is now hanging on the last surviving branches too

22/05/2026

Blackpool’s Armfield Academy has been granted planning permission to build a new classroom block on the site.

The South Shore school will now press ahead with plans to create three new classrooms on the Lytham Road site.

The new developments at the school,which were granted planning consent on Tuesday May 19, will support its SEN (Special Education Needs) provision, proposals state.

The application for certificate of lawfulness was submitted to planners at Blackpool Council earlier this month, with amended designs after a similar scheme needed to be shelved, despite being granted planning permission..

A supporting document by Claire Parker, on behalf of architects Cassidy and Ashton, stated: “A certificate of lawfulness has recently been issued for a similar proposal at the school (ref: 25/0661) which has not been constructed.

“Since this time the location of an existing drainage soakaway has been identified on site and so the layout of the extension has been redesigned to meet appropriate regulatory distances.

“The previous certificate was granted based upon the previously issued drawings and so a new certificate is required to be applied for to confirm that the updated scheme also complies with permitted development rights.

“The extension would have a footprint of 109.8sqm. It would be located to the rear of the main school building and comprise three new classrooms, to support the school’s SEN provision.

“As existing, the site of the proposed extension comprises hardstanding and part of a grassed area, within the playground, which is not utilised for any formalised outdoor recreational activities. “

The school first opened on the former Arnold School site in 2018, catering for 1,180 youngsters aged two to 16, It was named after Blackpool FC legend Jimmy Armfield, a former pupil at Arnold.

22/05/2026

Transwaste has been banned from accepting any waste at Jameson Road landfill that breaks down or makes a smell, The Blackpool Lead can this morning report.

The rules, which come into force today (22 May) as a result of the Environment Agency varying the licence at the site but only after thousands of complaints over an extended period, mean that the site can only accept inert waste (such as soil and bricks), that the southern area of cell 6 must be capped and that a plan for continuous hydrogen sulphide monitoring must be submitted.

Crucially, monitors must be placed at four or more locations around the site’s boundary.

If Transwaste appeals the variation, the terms remain in place while a decision is made.

Lorraine Beavers, MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood, said: “This toxic stench, caused by hydrogen sulphide from Jameson Road Landfill, continues to cause harm while local people fear the long-term health impacts for themselves, their children, and their family. When speaking to staff from a local care home recently, I heard how this stench leaves residents feeling too nauseous to eat, putting vulnerable and elderly residents at risk of malnutrition. Local businesses also continue to see customers leave and never return.”

She continued: “This is not the end, but I am absolutely thrilled by this news, it is a huge step forward and the move to inert waste will finally hit Transwaste where it hurts, in their pockets.”

John Neville, Area Environment Agency at the Environment Agency, said: “The community should not have to tolerate odour pollution and we have made this clear to Transwaste. This permit variation will reduce future odour risk by preventing wastes being landfilled that cause the odour experienced by the community.

“We continue to press the operator to permanently cap two landfill cells as quickly as possible to control odour. If we do not see improvements, we will not hesitate to take further action.”

Dr Barbara Kneale, from the Close Jameson Road Landfill group, said: “I am pleased that the EA has decided to vary the environmental permit to limit the type of waste that Transwaste can accept and to instruct them to install continuous hydrogen sulphide monitoring. This is a step forwards and actions we have been calling for .

“However, I am not confident in Transwastes’ abilities to reduce the odour to an acceptable level given their performance over the last two years. Is it appropriate that they conduct their own air monitoring or will it be conducted by an independent, professional organisation ?

“We can only hope that the EA will audit the type of waste entering the site and the air monitoring results on a regular basis. This needs to be published and transparent to the public, I look forward to updates at the Community Liaison Group meetings.”

And campaigner Jess Brown, from Action Against Jameson Road Landfill, said: “This is such good news - and very welcome. I have concerns about Transwaste being in charge of the hydrogen sulphide monitors - this should be done by the Environment Agency.

“If Transwaste does appeal, I would like to think they wouldn’t win given their record and impact on our lives over the last two-and-a-half years.”

22/05/2026

A positive report, say the school. But lots to do.

The school was placed into special measures in 2024 - how have things gone since then?

21/05/2026

New owners of an entire block of retail units on one of Blackpool’s busiest streets will see the creation of 18 new serviced accommodation flats on the upper stories, if plans get the green light.

The Queen Street property includes the Blackpool branch of popular cocktail bar/restaurant Slug & Lettuce, among other retail units on the ground floor.

A planning application has been been submitted to Blackpool Council for the er****on of a dormer to the rear, replacement windows, installation of new entrance at ground floor and associated works and use of premises as altered as 18 serviced holiday apartments at 8 – 20 Queen Street.

A Design and Access Statement, from Joseph Boniface Architects, said: “In 2025, Maurice Investments (Blackpool) Ltd purchased the property at 8-20 Queen Street, Blackpool.

“The aim of the project is to create 18 new serviced accommodation units on the first, second, and third floor level while providing viable commercial units on the ground floor. The distribution of units while be a variety of 1, 2, 3, and 4 bed units.

“The site is located within Blackpool Town Centre on the western section of Queen Street close to Queen Square. The building itself is an imposing property and dominates the north side of the street.

“The property is characterised by a three storey facade in regular bays split with flat stone columns and horizontal floor to ceiling windows at first and second floor.

“The most prominent of the ground floor commercial units is the Slug & Lettuce pub at the western end of the property.

“Elsewhere along the frontage, recessed entrance ways provide access to the other ground floor commercial units and upper floor access. Above pavement level, a glass canopy runs the length of the building supported by an steel / iron framework.

“The scheme proposes self-contained holiday units on the upper floors along with two reception areas at ground floor.

“The submissions do not specify whether these would be staffed and no staff areas are shown on the submitted plans. Each holiday unit would contain at least one bedroom, a bathroom and a living room-kitchen-diner.”

It is understood that the Slug and Lettuce and existing ground floor business will not be affected by the developments upstairs.

During development of a pre-planning application the adjacent property was destroyed by fire and has since been demolished but this does not affect this application.

20/05/2026

Blackpool’s Armfield Academy has submitted fresh proposals to build a new classroom block on the site after an earlier scheme was shelved.

The project entails the creation of three new classrooms at the South Shore school.

The new developments at the school, on Lytham Road, will support its SEN (Special Education Needs) provision, proposals state.

Last year planners approved a similar application, on a certificate of lawfulness basis, which meant that the school did not need planning permission.

However, despite the green light being given, the discovery of an underground drainage system meant that those proposals had to be shelved.

Now a new application for certificate of lawfulness has been submitted to planners at Blackpool Council, with amended designs.

A supporting document by Claire Parker, on behalf of architects Cassidy and Ashton, stated: “I am writing in respect of the above site, and a certificate of lawfulness application for the proposed construction of a new single-storey extension to Armfield Academy to be used for educational purposes.

“A certificate of lawfulness has recently been issued for a similar proposal at the school (ref: 25/0661) which has not been constructed.

“Since this time the location of an existing soakaway has been identified on site and so the layout of the extension has been redesigned to meet appropriate regulatory distances.

“The previous certificate was granted based upon the previously issued drawings and so a new certificate is required to be applied for to confirm that the updated scheme also complies with permitted development rights.

“The extension would have a footprint of 109.8sqm. It would be located to the rear of the main school building and comprise three new classrooms, to support the school’s SEN provision.

“As existing, the site of the proposed extension comprises hardstanding and part of a grassed area, within the playground, which is not utilised for any formalised outdoor recreational activities. “

The report says that the school has not undertaken any extensions or alterations which have increased the footprint of the existing school buildings on site since April 21 2021.

The school first opened on the former Arnold School site in 2018, catering for 1,180 youngsters aged two to 16, It was named after Blackpool FC legend Jimmy Armfield, a former pupil at Arnold.

20/05/2026

The world-famous Red Arrows will not be taking part in this year’s Blackpool’s Air Show, it has been confirmed.

The spectacular display team performed to hundreds of thousands of people who packed the Prom last August for the annual Air Show.

But the Red Arrows will be in North America this summer for a 13-date, month-long tour.

The tour is expected to generate more than £2.5bn in direct foreign investment for the UK.

But the absence of the Red Arrows is a major blow for tourism bosses in Blackpool who will be confirming a suitable replacement in the near future.

The show will be bolstered by the other key attractions, however.

Will Myles, Head of VisitBlackpool, said: “Unfortunately the RAF Red Arrows will not perform at the 2026 Blackpool Air Show due to other commitments.

“We know how much residents and visitors look forward to seeing the team over our seafront. We fully respect the important role they play in representing the UK at home and around the world, and we look forward to welcoming them back in future years. The Royal Air Force are still supporting Blackpool with their Typhoon and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight displays teams.

“The Blackpool Air Show remains one of the most iconic free events in the UK. In the coming weeks, we will reveal the full programme of high‑impact displays, crowd favourites and exciting new additions that will ensure the event continues to deliver the world‑class experience our visitors expect.”

The Red Arrows’ return to the US will mark the first significant deployment to North America since 2019.

The RAF has been approached for a comment.

The Red Arrows have been enthralling audiences at the Blackpool Air Show since the 1990s and are expected to make a return next year.

19/05/2026

One of the most distinctive features of Blackpool’s Stanley Park is being renovated to coincide with the park’s centenary later this year.

The Cocker Memorial Clock Tower is a 26-meter (85-foot) tall, Grade II-listed landmark opened in 1927 to honour Dr. William Henry Cocker, Blackpool’s first mayor and a key figure in the town’s 19th-century development.

Designed by Lionel Budden, it acts as a focal point linking the park’s south gate to the Italian garden.

Visitors to the park, which is also Grade II-listed, will notice the tower is currently supported by scaffolding.

A spokesperson for Blackpool Council said: “Restoration and maintenance works include the clock mechanism being fixed, and the clock face restored.

“The scaffolding is to enable access to the clock face. There have also been some internal improvements to the inside of the tower, including some lighting and redecorating.”

A schedule of maintenance and restoration works at the park will be delivered throughout the year, with Blackpool Council investing a massive £500,000 in additional maintenance during the anniversary year, including £50,000 raised by the Friends of Stanley Park.

This includes the repairs to the Cocker Clock and the water fountain feature within the Italian Gardens, supporting the ongoing preservation of key historic assets and ensuring the park continues to be enjoyed by residents and visitors for generations to come.

The aim is for works on the Cocker Clock Tower to be completed by later this summer.

Major celebrations – backed by the £500,000 investment – are being planned this year to mark the centenary year of the park.

They will include a two day event in October and an ongoing programme of special activities throughout the year.

The park, which covers 390 acres, was officially opened on October 2 1926 by the 17th Earl of Derby.

Designed and built under the eye of Thomas Mawson, an eminent garden designer and landscape architect, it has often been called the jewel in Blackpool’s crown and has also attained national recognition and importance.

With its Italian Gardens, Art Deco Cafe, swan lake and band stand, the park also has an upgraded BMX track, skate park and play area.

Now the special two-day centenary celebration is being planned for Friday October 2 and Saturday October 3 to ensure the town is able to make the most of the milestone, along with the other activities.

A steering group is already in place, which includes the Friends of Stanley Park, the focus of which is to put together a programme of events and attract investment in the physical infrastructure of the park in the lead up to the centenary date.