Showtown Blackpool unveils March 2024 opening date

Backpool’s Showtown: the museum of fun and entertainment, will open its doors to the public on March 15, 2024.

Tickets will go on sale this autumn.

When open, Showtown will offer a world-class interactive museum, celebrating the seaside, circus, magic, shows dance and Blackpool’s world-famous illuminations, as well as some of the show people who have helped make the town famous.

The opening announcement comes alongside the appointment of Elizabeth Moss as chief executive of the Blackpool Heritage and Museum Trust, the charity that will operate Showtown.

Blackpool Heritage and Museum Trust aims to deliver engagement programmes which foster knowledge, understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the history and heritage of Blackpool and the maintenance and preservation of the Blackpool heritage collections.

This also includes the operations of the Showtown History Centre, located at Blackpool Central Library, which is currently closed for renovation.

Liz joins the Showtown team from her role as chief executive at Heritage Trust for the North West and was previously chief operating officer at Lakeland Arts.

Showtown: the museum of fun and entertainment is set to attract more than 200,000 visitors each year with its six interactive, fun and family-friendly galleries, making a positive contribution to Blackpool’s economy through job creation and tourism.

Liz Moss said: “This is such an exciting time to join the Showtown team, as we near the official opening for what will an incredible, interactive celebration of Blackpool and the fun and entertainment industry that made it famous.

“The establishment of our charity, the Blackpool Heritage and Museum Trust, also known as Showtown, is an important step and provides a great platform from which we will be able to share the full breadth of Blackpool’s rich heritage with residents and visitors alike.”

She added: “Not only that, Showtown will also offer a centre for research, learning and education which will contribute to the wider understanding and appreciation of this great town.

“I have been very impressed by the commitment, knowledge and professionalism of my new colleagues and supporters from across Blackpool, and beyond, who have been working together to bring this ambitious project to life.”

Chair of Trustees for Blackpool Heritage and Museums Trust, Spencer Phillips, said: “Liz’s appointment will help steer us towards the final steps of the delivery of Showtown museum project, as well as well as the re-opening of the Blackpool History Centre next year.

“Liz’s mix of commercial, cultural and heritage experience will be a huge asset and we were very impressed with her commitment to our audiences and to offering incredible, accessible experiences and opportunities for learning.”

Leader of Blackpool Council, Cllr Lynn Williams, said: “The Showtown museum has been a vital regeneration project for Blackpool and will enable culture-led economic growth, offering a new kind of experience to complement the incredible attractions for which the town is already known.

“We are passionate about continuing to support the full and exciting programme of fantastic community projects that the Showtown team have been leading on, which includes tours, talks and family activities across Blackpool.”