£220m development for Blackpool

A £220m deal has been struck to redevelop the seaside town of Blackpool.

Talbot Gateway is a joint venture between Blackpool Council and Muse Developments and will transform the jaded town centre and create a new business district.

Situated adjacent to Blackpool North Station and Talbot Road, the 10 hectare project will see the creation of 160,000 square metres of office and business space as well as a new supermarket, hotels, shops, cafes and restaurants.

Sir Howard Bernstein, chairman of ReBlackpool, which has been working on the scheme since 2006, said the agreement marks the culmination of three years of hard work and is s a significant milestone in the regeneration of Blackpool and its transformation into a year-round resort.

He said: “This project will transform a neglected and under-utilised area of the town into a welcoming family-friendly gateway, encouraging more people to visit, providing better services for local people and encouraging inward investment.”

Muse Developments was selected as developer in 2007 and since then has been working closely with ReBlackpool and Blackpool Council to refine the plans. 

Muse regional director, Mike Horner, said: “Talbot Gateway is an exciting scheme for Blackpool – it is much needed and will provide the town with a vibrant new civic focus comprising a mix of uses and buildings and a step up in quality for local residents and businesses alike. It is a scheme to help revitalise the town centre and help establish Blackpool once again as the principle commercial centre of the Fylde sub-region.”

Council Leader Cllr Peter Callow, added: “The Talbot Gateway development is a vital part of our regeneration plans to create a 21st century town.  It will completely transform this area of town and create hundreds of construction jobs for local people.”

It is hoped that work will begin on site in around two years time after a period of local consultation, followed by the submission of outline planning for the scheme and the gaining of planning permission.