Blackpool Town Prospectus
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BLACKPOOL TOWN PROSPECTUS Photo: By Gregg Wolstenholme, @wolstenholmepic 2030 AGENDA FOR ACTION FOREWORD We are proud to be jointly sponsoring this Prospectus. Its purpose is to articulate We now ask the government to create a long term strategic partnership with a collective vision and agenda for Blackpool, leveraging the full force of our Blackpool through a Town Deal, as set out in this Prospectus and the supporting resources to develop the town’s many strengths and address its complex Town Investment Plan. pattern of deprivation in a strategic and cohesive way. We want people in and outside of Blackpool to be proud of this special town. Simon Blackburn Leader, Blackpool Council We have a clear and well-developed plan for action which is contained in this Steve Fogg Chair, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Prospectus. It has been created by the Blackpool Pride of Place, a unique partnership of local government, business, and the voluntary sector. The Christine Hodgson CBE Chair, Blackpool Pride of Place, Chair, Severn Trent partnership was created in 2018 and has made great progress to understand Blackpool’s challenges and has set out a clear plan to address the issues. The Blackpool Pride of Place partnership, supported by Business in the Community, continues to champion the delivery of this ambitious agenda, especially by leading the Towns Fund Board. The renewal of Blackpool is a prominent objective in the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s Strategic Economic Plan, and this document will be a contribution I spent a fascinating and moving couple of days in Blackpool to the new Local Industrial Strategy. At a national level, the UK’s Industrial where I was born as a wartime refugee. It has some of the Strategy includes the visitor, cultural and heritage sectors as being important to future economic growth. worst social problems in the UK, but it also has teams of deeply impressive, dedicated people who are working hard to solve We know that the Covid-19 crisis will have long lasting effects on the people them. of Blackpool, especially those in poverty or with special needs, who will have been the most excluded through lockdown. While some health and care sectors The Blackpool Pride of Place partnership’s plan to regenerate the may have been protected from an employment point of view, the economy, town over the next 10 years gives “real grounds for optimism". especially Tourism, will greatly suffer. The levelling up of Blackpool will start from a much lower base but we are confident that with collaboration from Government John Simpson CBE we can make a significant contribution to economic renewal in the UK. BBC World Affairs Editor Page 2 | Blackpool Town Prospectus INDEX 4 HEADLINE OUTCOMES BY 2030 24 - 37 COMMUNITIES AND HEALTH - HOUSING OVERVIEW 5 KEY ASKS OF GOVERNMENT - TACKLING DEPRIVATION - INITIATIVES ALREADY UNDERWAY 6 - 13 PLACE - PLANNED INITIATIVES - INTRODUCING BLACKPOOL - OUTCOMES - THE CHALLENGES - ASKS OF GOVERNMENT - THE OPPORTUNITY - THE CLAREMONT PROJECT - THE VISION - INITIATIVES ALREADY UNDERWAY - ARTS, SPORTS AND CULTURE - PLANNED INITIATIVES - OUTCOMES 14 - 21 ECONOMY AND ENTERPRISE - ASKS OF GOVERNMENT - TOURISM - HEALTH OVERVIEW - THE WIDER ECONOMY - EDUCATION - INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENT - INITIATIVES ALREADY UNDERWAY - INITIATIVES ALREADY UNDERWAY - PLANNED INITIATIVES - PLANNED INITIATIVES - EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING - SUPPORTING ECONOMIC DIVERSITY AND INNOVATION - OUTCOMES - ASKS OF GOVERNMENT 22 - 23 DIGITAL 38 - 39 GLOSSARY, PRIDE OF PLACE NATIONAL AND LOCAL BOARDS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Blackpool Town Prospectus | Page 3 HEADLINE OUTCOMES BY 2030 Create and safeguard at least 10,000 jobs and grow the economy by £1bn through turbocharging tourism, building on existing and emerging economic strengths and innovating Tackle the concentration of deprivation in the inner area (the worst in England) raising it out of the bottom decile and creating 3000 new quality homes Achieve top quartile employment rates for 16-24-year olds compared to other Lancashire Local Authorities through a particular focus on health and well-being and work readiness Establish the national perception of Blackpool as a 'can do' place with a buzz, attracting graduates, families and business visitors, recognised as an established and credible business investment location, with increased local pride Page 4 | Blackpool Town Prospectus KEY ASKS OF GOVERNMENT Our primary ask is for Government to agree a long-term strategic partnership with Blackpool, to develop the economy and tackle deprivation. As part of this, Blackpool should receive a Town Deal worth £500m to address the problems and exploit the opportunities set out in this Prospectus. The funding would come from bids under the Towns Fund, the Future High Streets Fund and additional funding, as set out in the Town Investment Plan. The plans in this Prospectus require a shared strategic approach by all concerned and will ultimately create stronger communities and reduce pressure on the public purse. Some of our principal asks are: • £500m in Town Deal funding for Blackpool to turbo-charge • Invest in building a new university campus in the town the economy, create jobs and to tackle deprivation in centre in conjunction with Blackpool and The Fylde inner Blackpool, which would involve selective clearance, College and Lancaster University remodelling of existing properties and the creation of • Extend the deadline to 2026 for both business rates relief green spaces and enhanced capital allowance in Enterprise Zones to • Ensure a Civil Service Hub is created in the town centre ensure that growth is consolidated which would deliver a major boost to the High Street • Invest in and support the Fylde Coast Tram Loop economy • Pilot an intensive neighbourhood approach in Claremont • Support the economic potential of Blackpool’s ultra-high Ward which co-ordinates Public Service interventions and speed data cable connection to New York as part of the ensures that lessons are learned which can be rolled out North Atlantic Loop more widely • Extend the Opportunity Area programme and funding until • Work with the town to rebuild the economy, reduce 2030 unemployment and tackle mental health following the Covid-19 crisis Blackpool Town Prospectus | Page 5 PLACE INTRODUCING BLACKPOOL Photo: Blackpool Illuminations Blackpool acts as the civic centre Park, which was voted the best park in advanced materials technologies, endures through a culture of tackling for the Fylde Coast. It is one of the the UK. food manufacturing and digital problems in a nimble way, and also most densely developed boroughs technologies, as well as energy- has a mentality which constantly in Britain, with 140,000 residents. Blackpool’s international profile as related businesses drawing upon seeks positive change rather than Blackpool’s past and present are a centre for entertainment means it the strength of the North West in this maintaining the status quo. inextricably linked with the tourist continues to be one of Britain’s most sector. industry. The town was originally visited destinations. There are over 18 Arguably the highlight of the Blackpool developed as a health resort and million visits annually to enjoy cultural Placed in context it is the scale, calendar is the arrival of the BBC and holiday destination following the and visitor attractions such as the speed and ambition of Blackpool's the Strictly Come Dancing team. Every arrival of the first trains in 1846 and historic Blackpool Tower and Winter historic development – together year in November, numerous vehicles the increased prosperity and leisure Gardens conference complex, the with the constant adaptation to meet arrive on the Promenade and over a time of the working class. This brought three piers, the promenade, a lively the changing desires of demanding five day period the BBC teams create with it an epic physical transformation, events programme including the Air audiences – that has consistently the famous set within the Blackpool with the first Illuminations in 1879 and Show and Fireworks Festival, theatre served to elevate Blackpool from Tower Ballroom, for one of the most the opening of the tramway in 1885 and art through the Grand Theatre being a typical coastal resort. popular episodes in the series. catalysing the development of the and Grundy Art Gallery, family fun Blackpool is a true British icon, the only town’s iconic attractions. Despite a at the Blackpool Illuminations and urban seaside resort with 150 years of The strategic relationship with the decline in visitors prompted by the rise heart-pumping action at the Blackpool heritage, the first working class holiday BBC is hugely important to the town, of cheap package holidays abroad Pleasure Beach. resort in the world and one with an not only because of the show’s from the 1970s, Blackpool continues unshakeable vitality. positive coverage of the Resort but to retain a unique place in the nation’s The resurgent visitor economy more importantly their endorsement of imagination and is now experiencing is creating new opportunities for Blackpool’s story is one of continual Blackpool has a significant impact on growth once again in its visitor local residents. At the same time, reinvention. Driven by the desire for the civic pride of the local community. economy, with renewed interest from Blackpool’s economy is diversifying. progress and the need to respond Heads are held high when the investors and holidaymakers alike. Some of the greatest future growth to the effects of an ever-evolving celebrity and pro dancers talk of their Blackpool, renowned as famous for potential exists within emerging society, the town seeks new ways of ambition to make it to Blackpool! fresh air and fun, officially has both the sectors such as aerospace working and innovation. Blackpool’s cleanest air in England and Stanley and advanced engineering, unmistakable entrepreneurial spirit Blackpool Town Prospectus | Page 7 PLACE THE CHALLENGES Blackpool’s profile, however, comes with social and Together, this has led to an economic malaise further economic costs.