A Blackpool investment collaboration between Nikal Ltd, and Media Invest Entertainment will see £300m being spent over 8-9 years on what is currently a car park, the former terminal for the Central railway station which closed in 1964.
Attractions to be placed there will have themes based on space exploration and ancient civilisations, such as the Pyramids. The Blackpool Central scheme's aim is to provide high-quality family entertainment.
Entertainment will include the UK’s first flying theatre, the world’s first multimedia exhibition of its kind and the most advanced virtual reality experience, said to be on an epic scale. The development will also include 2 new hotels totalling 400 bedrooms, restaurants, food market, event square, residential apartments and multi-storey parking.
The masterplan was approved in December 2018. The Blackpool Council agreed to lease the land for 250 years to Nikal Ltd and Media Invest Entertainment. It's a 17 acre plot, and planning applications are due to be submitted. 10 acres will need to be compulsorily purchased by the Blackpool Council including numbers 13 to 39 Central Drive, a former cinema, a pub, and several retail units.
In this video, Jane Littlewood from Visit Fylde Coast, gives a colloquial interpretation of what is going to happen at this site, July 2020
The wider development site also includes the law courts on Chapel Street, subject to leases held by Her Majesty Justice’s Service, and several units that front the promenade including Madame Tussauds, SeaLife Blackpool and Golden Mile Amusements [source].
It is estimated that the development will attract 600,000 additional visitors a year with a combined annual spend of £75m. It will also create 1,000 new jobs for people in Blackpool.
The site is between the Sea-Life Centre and Central Drive. My pictures below show what is currently there. Click to enlarge.
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| This former picture house on Central Drive would be compulsorily purchased. |
In Area 14 currently is a ground level car park, covered in graffiti. Keep up with daily posts of the graffiti on this Facebook Group.
In Area 4 is currently Bonny Street Market, which will have to go, although it's all locked up while we're on lockdown from COVID-19 pandemic.
5 May 2021 - £300m Blackpool Central development area could be transformed for new food hall
It is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs and boost annual spending in the town by £75m.
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