Blackpool History, Mystery, Heritage and Hauntings

Taken back in 2013 ( please forgive the dreadful HDR ! )  Jan 2019 I wrote the following post on #The scheme for the Cedar Tavern in Cedar Square, which is currently closed, has been given the go ahead by Blackpool Council using delegated planning powers. Resort-based architect Joseph Boniface has drawn up the designs which include a roof extension to form a rooftop seating area giving customers views over the town centre. Alterations will also be made to the existing facade to lower the sills and enlarge the three windows onto Wood Street. The building, which dates back to the 1930s and was originally used as an insurance centre, is locally listed and sits within the town centre conservation area. A design statement, which accompanied the application, says the town centre “currently lacks quality drinking establishments” and the aim is “to cater to a market which is currently under-represented.” Work will include restoring parts of the facade which have been damaged ...

 You may remember my last blog from June of this year  https://juliettegregsonheritagephotographer.blogspot.com/2020/06/george-pub-2020_12.html  Have a quick read to remind yourself of the history if you wish.. Well the pub is now being knocked down as I type this , the Blackpool Gazette ran a story on Monday , I went down Tuesday and a third of the building was gone !   Very glad I went down to be honest as I think  this historic building will be gone by the end of the week.  If you fancy some video's have a gander at my youtube channel  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxBRm9kXrZorhmD_aKlcvrw   At the moment no one seems to know what will happen with the land after, a car park was mentioned ! Flats or new houses ,, when I find out I will of course let you all know... so some more stills from another piece of heritage that is nearly gone .... Around 1893 it was demolished for the George Hotel, a great centre for fisticuffs from the unruly e...

OOOOhhhh ! more houses ! Planning Permission has/had been granted for the construction of 25 residential units in a mix of houses and apartments on Talbot Road Road/Coleridge Road,  Blackpool. In addition, the development will include associated hardstanding, parking, drainage infrastructure, and gardens - was the planning permission discription. Thus making use of the space and land left behind by *Beneast* back in 2014. Just to remind you ... Six years ago the old buildings were torn down.. Now building is nearly complete in  the newly renovated area ..seems some folk have even moved in..

Bit of a long read..however fingers crossed that we get some of this funding for he town ! Blackpool Council is ready to bid for significant government funding up to £25m that will help to renovate, transform and strengthen the future of the town centre as the next phase of its ambitious Town Centre Regeneration Strategy. Blackpool is one of 100 towns that has been shortlisted across the UK to develop plans to reinvent the high street, where a portion of the £1bn Future High Streets Fund could be used in a number of ways: To improve transport and access to the town Convert empty retail units into new homes, workplaces or places of leisure Upgrade vital infrastructure such as new public spaces or improving new smart digital technology for a vibrant, modern retail and leisure experience The Future High Streets Fund is a government scheme launched in 2018 as part of the £6.5bn Towns Fund designed initially to support and fund 50 local areas’ plans to make their high st...

Regeneration and more Hotels... Whilst out on my heritage travels I came across the following information. Erection of a four/ five storey building with a raised rotunda at the northern end of the site to provide a bar, restaurant and hotel reception incorporating a cafe at ground floor level with hotel accommodation above comprising 119 en-suite bedrooms, with associated car parking and servicing arrangements, following demolition of the existing buildings. LOCATION: 115-123 PROMENADE, BLACKPOOL, FY1 5BD DATE OF APPLICATION : 24/08/17 APPLICATION NUMBER: 17/0489 I researched a bit more and found out what was going to happen to the land, buildings and area. The site is located on the Promenade directly opposite the entrance to Central Pier surrounded by Chapel Street, Foxhall Road and York Street. The existing building has a variety of mixed uses comprising of a parade of small Fancy Goods Stalls, a fas...

Blackpool Council has said that it will take around five months to bring down the former Dickson Road store and car park.  I was lucky enough to be givern permission back in March to take interior shots ( glad I did before the official closing date due to lockdown ! ) Blackpool Council has confirmed that work will begin on the demolition of the town centre Wilko store in August this year.  ( however doesn't say which end of August - one bets that it will be the end to match when all the school's reopen.. )  After months of uncertainty around when work will commence on bringing down the derelict store and attached car park, the next stage of the plan has been laid out. The most recent announcement outlines the next phase of the Talbot Gateway regeneration scheme. It will pave the way for a new Holiday Inn Hotel and completion of the tramway extension following nearly two years of delays. The tramway is now due to be ...