The Blackpool Lead

25/11/2025

An online plea has meant an elderly couple can enjoy one last visit to Blackpool’s famous Tower Ballroom where they used to go dancing.

The Tower Ballroom was a favourite haunt of Ron and Marilyn Hill for 20 years from the mid-1960s to the ’80s, when Ron was an entertainer at the resort’s Empire Hotel.

But sadly Blackpool-born Ron is “fading away” as he has Alzheimer’s disease and other health problems and will need to go into a care home.

So granddaughter Olivia Watts decided to approach Blackpool Tourism Ltd, which owns the Tower Ballroom, to see if the couple, who are in their eighties, could dance there one last time.

But the venue was booked up and it looked like she’d hit a brick wall – and then Olivia posted her plea on social media platform TikTok.

Fortunately, Blackpool Tourism spotted her message and reached out to her, saying the ballroom could be made available to them on Tuesday morning this week.

Olivia, Ron, Marilyn and other family members are travelling from their home in south Oxfordshire to Blackpool today, ready for their special date tomorrow.

A spokesman for the Blackpool Council-owned tourism group said: “We reached out to Olivia and were able to make the Tower Ballroom available in the morning . We were delighted to help when we read about what she was trying to do.”

Olivia, 28, said: “It will be incredible to see them on that dance floor. They told me all about their days at the ballroom and I used to go to Blackpool with the family when I was growing up.

“I will be there when they go onto the ballroom floor, it will be really moving to see them there. It will be a dream come true for me too – I can’t wait.”

25/11/2025

The former Merrie England Bar at the front of Blackpool’s famous North Pier is set to be transformed with a smart new makeover.

An application lodged with Blackpool Council’s planners was approved on November 21 by delegated decision, paving the way for a total transformation of the front of the pier.

Plans submitted on behalf of the Pier Company were seeking approval for internal and external refurbishment works to include removal of existing signage, render to front elevation, new windows and doors to the front elevation.

Works would also include repainting of metal work and new boundary treatment and decking to the front external seating area.

There will also be the installation of nine new lantern rooflights, new windows and timber and zinc cladding to north and west elevations.

While the front section of the premises is still in use, the majority of the premises to the rear is vacant.

A statement by Blackpool’s planning officer says: “ Overall, the forecourt proposals would offer a notable improvement over the existing situation which is lawful and therefore a valid fallback position.

“The alterations would be part of the wider scheme to redevelop that section of the Pier as opposed to a piecemeal addition or expansion. The proposals would have a positive effect on the character, appearance or significance of the Grade II listed building and its setting and would align with the desirability to retain the significant heritage asset.”

25/11/2025

Blackpool’s “foodbank of foodbanks” - which supplies 120 foodbanks, schools, homeless shelters, soup kitchens and families across the Fylde coast - is in danger of shutting down.

The number of people needing support to feed themselves in Blackpool is growing rather than decreasing

19/11/2025

The question everyone will need to answer before any plan goes ahead.

Plans for an arena in Blackpool are ambitious and not without obstacles - but there aren't many confident enough to rule them out

17/11/2025

Plans to extensively revamp an Art Deco pub on Blackpool seafront have drastically changed after the whole building had to be demolished.

The ambitious multi-million pound regeneration of the former Yates Wine Lodge, at 407-411 Promenade in South Shore, was expected to see much of the original, locally-listed building retained.

But chronic deterioration of the concrete and steel structure of the building meant that the original infrastructure could not be made safe.

It means that for the project to continue, not only will the pub have to be rebuilt from scratch but an entirely new planning application will have to be submitted to Blackpool Council on behalf of owner Raghbir Singh Basrai.

This week the pub’s Art Deco-styled front façade – and the rest of the building – has gone and diggers are flattening the rest of it.

Yates, a popular bar with locals and tourists alike, closed its doors to the public on March 19 2022 and after that the building fell into disrepair and became something of an eyesore.

But when plans were announced to restore it, enlarge it and get it back open for business, the news was welcomed by many in the town. Revised plans were given the green light by Blackpool planners.

However the project has proved more challenging than expected.

A spokesperson for the Abbott Hull Ltd, who drew up the designs, said of the plans: “The original intention was to retail the building, repair it and add to it.

“But it soon became clear that the steel and concrete had deteriorated so much that it would not be safe to keep it.

“The plans are now to rebuild it, like for like, with those original Art Deco features.

“It will mean submitting a new planning application for an entirely new building, in the style of the original.”

It is expected that the new work will add to the budget for the overall multi-million project.

Apart from regenerating the building, the original plans entailed the creation of an 18 bedroom hotel and an extension of the property.

The distinctive building, which is locally listed, has previously been one of the resort’s most popular bars for decades.

The full planning application lodged with Blackpool Council was for permission to change the use of the building from a drinking establishment with food provision to a drinking establishment with expanded food provision and hotel, with ancillary restaurant and event space.

The original architectural statement by Abbott Hull Ltd said of the plans: “The redevelopment of the former Yates Wine Lodge presents a unique opportunity to bring a prominent and locally listed Art Deco building back into active use.

“The building has stood vacant since 2022 and is currently at risk of long-term deterioration. The proposed development seeks to restore its architectural character while introducing a vibrant mix of complementary uses that will secure its sustainable future.

“The scheme comprises a ground-floor restaurant, family bar, a sports bar, an upper-floor restaurant, and an 18-bedroom hotel—designed to operate as a cohesive, high-quality hospitality destination.

“The proposed works are extensive and include the er****on of an additional floor to the existing building, a front canopy with a first-floor roof terrace, a second-floor front-facing roof terrace, a three-storey rear extension and a single-storey rear glazed covered seating area.

“Each use supports and enhances the others: the hotel benefits from on-site dining and leisure facilities, while the restaurant and bars attract both local patrons and visitors, helping to drive year-round footfall.”

13/11/2025

Women and babies being operated on at one of Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s two maternity theatres have been at risk of death by “electrocution and catastrophic equipment failure”, it can be revealed.

Bosses at the Vic, in Whinney Heys Road, closed the theatre and are now poised to spend more than £250,000 putting the issue right

10/11/2025

This was particularly disruptive to the eldest daughter in the family who was studying at college to convert her nursing qualification to British standards as part of her efforts to adapt to British life.

The Blackpool Lead can exclusively reveal that the family were moved 24 hours after speaking with ITV - leaving their eldest daughter's nurse training in disarray

07/11/2025

The multi-million pound regeneration of a much-loved Art Deco pub in Blackpool has seen a large part of the structure being demolished.

The ambitious plans for the former Yates Wine Lodge, at 407-411 Promenade in South Shore, includes the creation of an 18 bedroom hotel and an extension of the property.

The distinctive building, which is locally listed, has previously been one of the resort’s most popular bars for decades.

It closed its doors to the public on March 19 2022 and since then the building has fallen into disrepair and become something of an eyesore.

However, ambitious proposals to regenerate it were given the green light by Blackpool Council’s planners on August 7, meaning work could finally press ahead.

Preliminary work began in September and now work has progressed, although it is clear that little of the original building will remain.

This week, the rear of the property and much of the middle had been broken up, with the front façade remaining intact, although it will require considerable restoration.

Many in the town have welcomed the plans to revive the site and owner Raghbir Singh Basrai’s ambitious plans for the building.

The full planning application lodged with Blackpool Council was for permission to change the use of the building from a drinking establishment with food provision to a drinking establishment with expanded food provision and hotel, with ancillary restaurant and event space.

An architectural statement by Abbott Hull Ltd said of the plans: “The redevelopment of the former Yates Wine Lodge presents a unique opportunity to bring a prominent and locally listed Art Deco building back into active use.

“The building has stood vacant since 2022 and is currently at risk of long-term deterioration. The proposed development seeks to restore its architectural character while introducing a vibrant mix of complementary uses that will secure its sustainable future.

“The scheme comprises a ground-floor restaurant, family bar, a sports bar, an upper-floor restaurant, and an 18-bedroom hotel—designed to operate as a cohesive, high-quality hospitality destination.

“The proposed works are extensive and include the er****on of an additional floor to the existing building, a front canopy with a first-floor roof terrace, a second-floor front-facing roof terrace, a three-storey rear extension and a single-storey rear glazed covered seating area.

“Each use supports and enhances the others: the hotel benefits from on-site dining and leisure facilities, while the restaurant and bars attract both local patrons and visitors, helping to drive year-round footfall.”

The extent of the demolition has surprised some.

Resident Michael Marlow commented: “I would say that the demolition work had left very little left as the workers finished for the weekend.”

He said he hoped the original Art Deco façade would be sympathetically replicated if the whole building were to be demolished.

07/11/2025

Ambitious plans to bring thousands of skilled hi-tech jobs to Blackpool have taken a major step forward.

Silicon Sands at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone is aimed at taking advantage of connectivity provided by undersea Trans-Atlantic fibre cables which come ashore in the town.

Blackpool Council is planning the flagship digital infrastructure project for the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.

A report to the council’s Executive recommends the next step on the project, which has the potential to support thousands of high-value jobs across the region both directly and indirectly, through investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI) data infrastructure, renewable energy and innovation led growth.

Planning permission for a 6MW carbon friendly data centre and 20,000sqft office and research space is set to be submitted before Christmas, following significant interest from private sector investors.

The Silicon Sands plan builds on the arrival of the transatlantic Aquacomms cable and aims to position the Fylde Coast as a leading location for sustainable data centres and digital innovation.

Unlike other data centre projects around the world, Silicon Sands aims to tackle the climate crisis at the same time.

Data centres would be powered by renewable energy, use liquid immersion cooling to improve efficiency and re-use heat to act as an energy source for other properties.

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, said: “Silicon Sands is a transformational opportunity for Blackpool. It can create thousands of well-paid jobs, attract investment, and put us at the forefront of sustainable digital development.

“That vision is proven by the significant interest we have had from the private sector already.

“Silicon Sands is about so much more than just data centres though. We are carefully managing the programme so that we can create data centres which are carbon friendly, and can even supply waste heat back to local communities.”

The first data centre would be at the site of the old fire station and engineering yard at Blackpool Airport, which was demolished in 2023, as well as on the site of the airport’s old administration offices and security point.

A new administration and security point for the airport opened earlier this year.

The Council has secured £2m in funding from the Lancashire Devolution deal, while Silicon Sands is also one of Lancashire Combined County Authority’s strategic sites in its latest Growth Plan.

The council has also submitted a bid for AI Growth Zone status, which remains under consideration by the government.

06/11/2025

A popular Blackpool restaurant which was ordered to take its extension down has lodged a new planning bid to keep it.

Last year, planners at Blackpool Council turned down a bid by the Eating Inn Steakhouse to keep its glazed extension, saying it conflicted with policies designed to protect the character of the Promenade.

The popular restaurant, in South Shore, had hoped its revised application would be accepted by town hall planners who had already refused a previous scheme for the venue.

The retrospective application for the development, which was built to enable the business to continue trading during Covid, said improvements had been made to the glazed dining area including creating a more solid roof.

But the scheme was refused by the council using delegated powers which means it did not have to go before members of the Planning Committee. The decision meant the extension remained under enforcement action to remove it.

A report last year by the council’s planning officer said the extension represented ‘piecemeal development’ and “would project significantly beyond the established building line formed by the rest of the properties in the row. ”

A year on, the restaurant is still desperately trying to keep the structure, stating that its removal would have a devastating effect on the business, including loss of jobs.

There has even been an online petition, backed by regulars and other supporters, to try and get the order to remove the extension rescinded. It currently has 2,675 signatures.

Now a new retrospective planning application has been submitted to planners at Blackpool Council, presenting another revised design which is is hoped will be deemed more acceptable.

The application, on behalf of owner Mr Ben Sharrock, is for the er****on of a single storey front extension (retrospective application) at 463 Promenade, Blackpool.

A planning statement, by Lee Fenton Planning Services said: “ This planning application is submitted on behalf of Mr Ben Shorrock for a single storey front extension to the existing restaurant in the form of a fully glazed canopy with a slimline anthracite grey aluminium frame.

“The application seeks retrospective permission as the work has already been carried out to enable space for the business to keep trading during the Covid restrictions.

“Changes to the structure have taken place since the original planning application and the structure now has a solid roof, more in keeping with the materials of the host building.

“The structure is subject to enforcement action. It is considered that the application should be approved and the enforcement action halted.

“This is primarily due to the economic factors associated with the loss of the structure. The business employs 25 permanent staff, all of which are local people.

“Should the structure be removed, this will halve the available floor space inside the restaurant and the knock-on effect would be that staff numbers will have to reduce accordingly.

“The structure was initially erected during COVID for social-distanced outside dining. The lasting impact of COVID has led to an increased requirement for personal space in public settings, with people larger eateries.

“This puts more pressure on smaller establishments such as the Eating Inn and it’s therefore imperative they are able to retain the proposed structure.”

The statement concludes: “ It is considered that the planning policies relating to ‘piecemeal’ forecourt development are outdated and do not reflect the pressures put upon small businesses from Covid and the subsequent years.

“This should therefore be given limited weight in the overall assessment. This proposal represents the expansion / sustainability of an existing business and as such should be supported by the LPA (local planning authority).

06/11/2025

An innovative £500,000 scheme in Blackpool which allows traffic lights to better respond to road conditions and keep vehicles moving has a won a top award.

Traffic queues are an ongoing nightmare and Blackpool certainly has its share – but the town’s Smart Traffic Corridor scheme has been hailed for improving the situation.

Blackpool Council scooped half a million pounds in government cash last year to optimise its traffic lights using a high-tech system.

Now the scheme has won national recognition as Blackpool Council, in partnership with 4way Consulting, won the Sustainable Environment through Technology Award at the 19th Annual Intelligent Transport Systems UK Awards.

Fully funded by the Department for Transport’s Green Light Fund (£567,000), Blackpool’s Smart Traffic Corridor scheme uses innovative technology to improve the flow of traffic in high congestion areas across the town.

The council says this project has transformed five of Blackpool’s most important transport corridors into digitally enabled, data-driven routes.

These include The Promenade, Preston New Road, East Park Drive, Plymouth Road, and Central Drive, all of which are key routes in the town and experience high levels of traffic.

Traditional approaches to traffic management struggle to cope with the high volumes of traffic that Blackpool often encounters, especially during peak holiday season and major events.

Using smart technology to create a near-fully adaptive traffic management system will make the traffic lights work better, by enabling traffic light sequences to adjust their frequency based on traffic demand.

Judges at the awards, which celebrate the best of the transport technology sector, said of the scheme: “Instead of relying on fixed-time traffic signal plans or reactive manual intervention, Blackpool now uses a real-time system that actively reduces congestion, improves air quality, and supports low-carbon modes of travel. The judges saw this project as an excellent example of how technology can support a more sustainable environment.”

Cllr Paula Burdess, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Street Scene and Neighbourhoods, said: “I’m delighted that Blackpool is leading the way in using smart traffic management systems to provide a more efficient and sustainable road network for local residents, businesses and visitors.

“With over 330 miles of roads across the town, our highways team are always looking for innovative ways to help keep our roads running smoothly. By collaborating with expert partners, we’re using technology to create a greener, smarter town.”

Shane Collins, Smart Cities Sector Lead, 4way Consulting, commented: “By harnessing modern open-data systems and implementing data driven interventions the Blackpool road network is increasingly able to respond in real time to the unique challenges it faces around fluctuating demand.

“The technology creates the potential for better outcomes for road users and local stakeholders by reducing journey times and the environmental impacts of congestion.”

06/11/2025

“We welcome the High Court’s decision. We are clear that that any form of sexual misconduct has no place in healthcare. At the fresh tribunal we will argue once again, that erasure is the appropriate sanction in this case.”

Foy-Yamah's conducted was initially found to have not quite crossed the line for 'erasure from the medical register'