Council seals £2.3m deal for new Blackpool promenade attraction

A new ‘world-class attraction’ on Blackpool seafront has been given the go-ahead.

Blackpool Council’s executive has agreed a scheme to redevelop part of the Golden Mile Centre on Blackpool’s famous promenade into a new £2.3m attraction.

Following an extensive procurement process Merlin Entertainments has been selected as the regeneration partner to transform and redevelop the key site.

Merlin will release details about the scheme early next year, and at this stage describes its plans as “family focused” and involving “a globally recognised brand”.

In the first phase of redevelopment the south end of the site, on the ground floor between Golden Mile Amusements and Funland, will be transformed, with a 2022 opening planned.

The Golden Mile Centre is adjacent to the site earmarked for development for the £300m Blackpool Central scheme.

Cllr Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, said: “I am delighted announce the redevelopment on this key site on the promenade.

“Merlin Entertainments already successfully operate a number of internationally-known brands in Blackpool and I’ve no doubt that this new attraction will be equally as popular.

“It is vitally important that Blackpool continues to develop and offer visitors new and different reasons to visit.

“Any new attraction will help the local economy in terms of job creation and increased visitor numbers so should be welcome news for local residents as well.

“I look forward to it opening next year.”

Kate Shane, regional director for Merlin Entertainments, said: “We are delighted to further evolve our strategic relationship with Blackpool Council by adding even more reasons to visit to our already strong Blackpool cluster of attractions.

“At Merlin we have some exciting global partnerships that we will be announcing in the coming months, which will firmly support Blackpool’s overall ambition to be the UK’s number one family seaside resort.

“By adding more globally-recognised brands, delivered with Merlin’s world class guest experience, we know this will provide compelling new reasons for visitors to come to Blackpool.”

Kate added: “The local community are at the very heart of these strategic plans, with the goal to deliver further jobs and economic benefit to both the town and the wider region.”