Plans for £25m Blackpool conference centre under spotlight

PLANS for a £25m venue, which could herald a “dramatic new chapter” for Blackpool’s conference history, are to be discussed next week.

Blackpool Council Executive will discuss plans for the new facility at the historic Winter Gardens Complex on Monday.

If it agrees to progressing the plans, the council will formally submit bids for external funding to build the venue on the former split level car park site on Leopold Grove.  

Plans will include a conference hall for 2000 delegates, a 1200 sq m exhibition hall and break out spaces as well as catering facilities.

The building will be directly linked to both the Empress Ballroom and the Opera House to form a flexible venue with joint capacities of up to 7,000.

Started in 1878, Blackpool Winter Gardens developed to become one of the most important entertainment centres in the country and after World War II, conferencing became a core part of the offer, with all the major political parties holding their annual conferences at the venue. This changed in 2007 with all parties moving their national conferences out of Blackpool.  

Blackpool Council has commissioned outline designs from architects Bissett Adams, which has worked in Blackpool previously designing the refurbishment of the Central Library.  

Cllr Simon Blackburn, leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Since Labour took control of the Council in 2011, we have been working on options to secure large-scale business tourism and conferencing facilities for the town.
“The recent demolition of the car park at the Winter Gardens has provided a rare opportunity to build on land the council already owns and which directly connects to two of our most iconic venues.”

He added: “Much of the detail is yet to be resolved – but behind the scenes we have been talking to agencies like Historic England to make sure the development of designs protects the historic significance of the building whilst delivering the biggest economic impact possible.

“Through the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, and the Lancashire Combined Authority, I am hopeful that we can gain up to £20m in funding towards construction costs – but these are highly competitive bidding processes, which will need support from businesses and other councils across Lancashire.  Huge amounts of work are being undertaken, by me and others, to try and turn this dream into reality.  If we are successful, this will herald a dramatic new chapter on Blackpool’s long and proud conference history.”