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 , 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 Leader, We have a clear and well-developed plan for action which is contained in this Steve Fogg Chair, 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. Shorter stay visits have created exacerbated by a high proportion of residents pressure on the sector to keep costs and wages with long term limiting illnesses and some of the low and jobs seasonal - disincentivising long-term poorest mental and physical health outcomes in the investment. country. With young people under-performing at GCSE level, aspirations in the town are frequently Former B&B’s are the biggest contributor to low. The corresponding low skills levels and low Blackpool’s mass of thousands of Houses of Multiple numbers of graduates remaining or returning to Occupation, three quarters of which are occupied by the town, provides little incentive for employers transient renters. Significant numbers of landlords with professional or technical careers to choose have a poor track record of maintaining these Blackpool as a place for growth. properties, profiteering from artificially high housing benefit levels, whilst unwittingly enabling the spread For most places, this story ends with terminal decline of a morass of social problems. The result of this is into stasis. But Blackpool has an energy which the greatest concentration of deprivation in England, even this complex combination of issues cannot with high numbers of incoming low-income and kill. The town has used every tool at its disposal in vulnerable people with poor social networks - the a bid to tackle these issues but there needs to be core intractable problem and one which leads to tailored solutions. The effort and resources spent extreme pressure on local public services. working within the existing legislative and policy environment leaves limited resource to develop The statistics are stark. Low wages, low employment further innovative projects and initiatives. This can rates, high levels of benefit claimants and high be achieved through a strategic partnership with exclusion rates from school mean that child poverty central government through an ambitious Town is unacceptably prevalent in the town. In inner Deal. Blackpool, 50% of households live in private rented accommodation, further de-stabilising communities as some move or are moved from place to place.

Page 8 | Blackpool Town Prospectus THE OPPORTUNITY

This Prospectus draws a line in the sand, daring Artist's impression: Blackpool's Central Leisure Area to dream about what Blackpool could become, strengthening its place at the centre of the Fylde Coast. Starting from a fresh, inspirational vision and narrative, it looks at the economic and social issues the town faces, the key projects already being delivered and some aspirational projects which require input and investment from other parties. These are then balanced against the 'asks' that are needed for these to happen. Taken together, there is potential path towards a new flourishing Blackpool with a healthier economy and a thriving community.

Blackpool Town Prospectus | Page 9 PLACE

THE VISION

Blackpool will be a buzzing, attractive town that residents are proud of, where Sub-standard buildings have been replaced and Blackpool’s further education business is thriving and there are career opportunities for all. It is a 21st century has been expanded with a city centre campus. There are a number of flexible year round leisure destination that appeals to everyone, from visiting workspace centres for SMEs and graduate entrepreneurs, attracted by conference delegates and high income tourists staying in the award-winning Blackpool’s ‘Silicon Sands’ reputation built on its future thinking town-wide 5-star hotels, to a younger, hipper crowd in search of a weekend away full digital infrastructure, connected to the transatlantic loop from New York. There of partying, music and fashion festivals. Families will enjoy the rejuvenated is high-quality, affordable accommodation, with well -resourced support centres promenade, markets and attractions. This is a green town which is carbon for adult training, education and drug/alcohol rehabilitation, including specialist neutral and enjoying the cleanest air in the country. help for children coming out of the care system. Local schools are well resourced and flourishing, whilst crime levels have been reduced. The town centre has been transformed with extensive covered walkways and an abundance of open, recreational space and all-weather activities. This has Blackpool remains the mecca for all ballroom dancing fans, and a year-round attracted new businesses and increased footfall. There are innovative family dance school attracts new and repeat visitors young and old, as well as feeding entertainment offerings, new and exciting independent retail shops as well as into the healthy living ethos for the ageing population. kids’ activities, a cinema/music venue and fun food options.

Page 10 | Blackpool Town Prospectus Photo: Look to the stars by I-Am-Sean PLACE

ARTS, SPORTS AND CULTURE

Photo: Art B&B by CJGriffiths Photography Photo: Ocean Boulevard after 'Painting the Town' by Casson Mann Artist's impression: Showtown, Dance by Casson Mann

Arts, Sports and Culture are an placing art at the centre of their activity. Alongside other innovative projects, to refresh the South Shore entrance to important element of transformation They commission and co-produce ‘Painting the Town’ is LeftCoast’s Blackpool. and regeneration. Blackpool has a rich large performances/festivals as well commercial range of 35 paint colours entertainment history with an Opera as delivering smaller community-led inspired directly by Blackpool’s Blackpool Council will soon open the House within the Winter Gardens projects with local people on estates people, places and climate. doors to its first museum, Showtown. complex and the Grand Theatre which where they live. The recently opened Developed from an original fine It will capture how Blackpool touched is the UK’s National Theatre of Variety. Art B&B is a legacy project and the art commission by Laura Shevaun the lives of millions as a favourite new home of the organisation. This Green, it is more than a paint range; it seaside resort and reveal how it plays Across the Fylde Coast since 2013, classic seafront hotel has been is a place-making campaign bringing an unrivalled role in the development LeftCoast has been bringing people completely renovated and reimagined people together through the medium of British popular entertainment. together through their work as by contemporary artists and offers a of colour. In 2020, the Pleasure Beach Open year-round, the museum “creative disruptors and joy makers,” high-quality B&B experience. painted the Ocean Boulevard in four will be fun, accessible and fully of the marine grade hues in the range immersive, filled with objects, film, Page 12 | Blackpool Town Prospectus Artist's impression: Showtown, Seaside by Casson Mann Photo: Hive Exhibition Space by Dawn Mander music and performance. It will mix the individuals. Located on Blackpool’s To support the creative community, the signature colours of tangerine best experiences of museums and Golden Mile, within the new 5-star Hive is a busy hub in the town centre and white in supporting the club’s visitor attractions and give visitors an Sands Resort Hotel, it will attract with a coffee shop on the ground floor nickname of ‘The Seasiders.’ opportunity to look behind the scenes 296,000 visits annually, deliver 39 FTE and two floors of exhibition space Blackpool Council and Blackpool at what it took to make Blackpool jobs and provide £13.16m of regional above which hosts events and major Football Club are developing special. Showtown will be divided into economic benefit. Showtown will have exhibitions. proposals in the Southern Quarter six themes: seaside, magic, shows, a dedicated education programme, of Revoe, to work with the local circus, illuminations and dance. It public programme, changing Pride in the local football club is an community to create a sports village will feature Britain’s first permanent temporary exhibitions and skills important part of Place. Blackpool with a mix of sports, educational and displays of circus, music, variety and development programme for staff and Football Club has a strong heritage residential uses. ballroom dance, utilising Blackpool’s volunteers. with its brand of ‘Backing Blackpool’ internationally significant collections connecting fans, business and the and loans from national partners and wider community. The brand uses Blackpool Town Prospectus | Page 13 ECONOMY AND ENTERPRISE

TOURISM

Blackpool’s brand is instantly recognisable for Tourism declined as a result of competition from To underpin the Resort Offer, Merlin Entertainments tourism, its primary industry but less so for other overseas package holidays in the late 20th century together with Blackpool Council created a significant sectors such as energy, aerospace and around 22 million people are ‘lapsed’ visitors, Destination Marketing Campaign to position the and advanced engineering, advanced materials citing preferred options elsewhere or travel to destination at the top of the agenda for families (including medical) technologies, further and higher Blackpool as issues. Nevertheless, the town has holidaying in the UK. Now in its seventh year, the education, food manufacturing, and business and recently seen a revival with visitor numbers back campaign continues to raise awareness and remind professional services. The loyalty of the Northern to around 18.2m. However, these visitors are less the British public of the world class attractions and and Scottish visitors to Blackpool is extraordinary but likely to stay overnight and average spend is low. amazing experiences to be had in the UK’s favourite the deprivation and social issues that uncomfortably Nonetheless, there has been a recent upturn in the Resort. sit alongside the visitor economy hinder attempts to number of overnight stays and construction of new attract new business investment. quality 4-star and 5-star hotels is currently underway, One of the most famous attractions is Blackpool tackling the legacy and perception of poor-quality Pleasure Beach, which is the UK’s most iconic theme 18.2 million visits per year, with an accommodation. park and home to the legendary Big One. economic impact of £1.58bn, supporting Merlin Entertainments has a key role in Blackpool, Blackpool Zoo operated by Parques Reundois, is 25,387 jobs operating the largest cluster of Merlin attractions home to animals from all over the world including globally and the only UK Madame Tussauds outside the Project Elephant Base Camp, a conservation of London. They have a clear vision for the number programme committed to securing a future for Asian of businesses they operate in the Resort further elephants. enhancing the appeal of the UK’s most popular seaside town. A Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) is being developed for promenade properties and other tourist attractions to complement the existing Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID).

Page 14 | Blackpool Town Prospectus

ECONOMY AND ENTERPRISE

THE WIDER ECONOMY

There is significant and ongoing investment in the Blackpool is reliant on the fortunes of its constituent fabric of the town centre. Blackpool’s retail offer like companies to expand and create job opportunities. Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone and most towns has suffered in recent years but there With a decline in business start-up rates, low growth Blackpool Airport has already delivered are ambitious plans to reinvigorate Blackpool as rates and no significant direct foreign investment, 1,520 new jobs and safeguarded the leading retail centre destination on the Fylde the engine of non-tourism job creation needs fuel. additional jobs by attracting 73 new Coast. The Houndshill Shopping Centre now owned Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone, provides a companies. by Blackpool Council, is to be extended to include fabulous opportunity to attract new and existing a 9 screen IMAX-style cinema and restaurants. A growth-oriented companies with a delivery plan now revitalised market will have a food court and high focused on establishing this as a premier business Businesses cite brand recognition, the quality retail and restaurant offerings. location, with the potential to host in excess of 5,000 catchment area and cost competitiveness jobs by 2040. as strengths. Transport enhancement includes the tram being extended to connect with the railway at Blackpool North, through an investment of £23m, to be completed by March 2021. This will be followed by a 4-star Holiday Inn hotel and restaurant and 'look and feel' improvements to the gateway. The enabling phase of the new Blackpool Central development will include a 1000+ space car park to replace the equivalent number of surface-level spaces.

Page 16 | Blackpool Town Prospectus INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENT

The Fylde Coast is a peninsula with limited maritime Other transport infrastructure plans for the next few services since the end of freight and passenger years include new access roads into the Airport Blackpool is a green town with the services from , leaving trade and Enterprise Zone, the upgrade of Seasiders Way and cleanest air in the country and the goal of access reliant on major road and rail links running improvements outside of the immediate area, linking being carbon neutral by 2030. eastwards. Whilst Blackpool has recently benefited St Annes and Lytham to the M55 more effectively. from investment in the electrification of the main A £150m scheme is underway to upgrade 5km Walney Extension off the coast of line to Preston to the tune of £255m, making the line of the A585 linking Fleetwood and the Hillhouse Blackpool is the world’s biggest offshore faster and more reliable for the future, there remain Enterprise Zone to the M55. weak rail links to the south (a single-track railway) wind farm generating 659 megawatts and and the north (the redundant Fleetwood/Poulton is capable of powering 590,000 homes line) of the Fylde Coast.

In conjunction with Fylde and Wyre Councils, Blackpool Council is proposing a Fylde Coast tramway loop. The loop aims to use the old rail track to and from Poulton for trams, while the Kirkham to Blackpool south line would be converted from trains to trams. The line would then connect to the existing Blackpool to Fleetwood tramway. This loop is critical to improving transport connectivity across the Fylde Coast. This would be supported by electric buses and green technology with the aim of having a fully electric bus fleet by 2025.

Blackpool Town Prospectus | Page 17 ECONOMY AND ENTERPRISE

INITIATIVES ALREADY UNDERWAY

Artist's impression: Winter Gardens Conference Centre Artist's impression: Winter Gardens Conference Centre Artist's impression: Sands Venue Resort Hotel Lobby

A new £26m Conference Centre is being built at The investment began with the Council bringing 800 The development of the Airport Enterprise Zone the Winter Gardens, expanding its capacity by an office workers into the centre of town. This has borne includes £28.8m of Council investment to develop additional 2,000 delegates to 7,000. Consultants fruit with a further 500 private sector office jobs new infrastructure to create opportunities for new 'Right Solutions' advised that 2,500 new branded relocating there – bringing a noticeable difference investment and build on the existing successes 3, 4 and 5-star hotel rooms were needed to to the year-round viability of restaurants, shops and including the Lancashire Energy HQ Training Centre. complement this new facility. Recently built hotels, attractions in the town centre. The offer of the significant fiscal benefits of Business 4-star Hampton by Hilton and the 4-star Boulevard Rate Relief (until 2022) and Enhanced Capital Hotel attract high occupancy rates. Construction is Long awaited private sector interest in all areas Allowances (until 2023), will help consolidate further underway for the 5-star Sands Resort Hotel, a 4-star of the economy has begun to emerge. This is jobs though these timescales need to be extended Holiday Inn, and a Premier Inn and others planned to particularly relevant with regards to leisure, retail to ensure that the momentum is established and include a linked conference centre hotel. and hospitality, with investment planned to reach maximised. £500m over the next 5 years.

Page 18 | Blackpool Town Prospectus Artist's impression: Premier Inn Artist's impression: Talbot Gateway Hotel Development

Low cost office facilities are available at Blackpool Council’s Enterprise Centre, and FYCreatives in the town centre, with some privately owned office/industrial workspaces on the business park. Secured debt finance for growth-oriented companies can be accessed through the Council’s £200m Business Loans Fund which facilitates economic growth and regeneration. It has been instrumental in supporting many key hotel, transport and housing renewal investments.

Through Blackpool Pride of Place, national and local ambassadors from the town have been recruited under the ‘Born and Bred’ campaign to actively promote the reputation of the town. Blackpool Town Prospectus | Page 19 ECONOMY AND ENTERPRISE

PLANNED INITIATIVES

• A new business-led conference centre additional visitors a year with a combined annual preparedness group is ensuring that the spend of £75m and will create up to 1,000 new I’m a ‘Born and Bred’ Ambassador conference centre targets new markets jobs because I grew up in Blackpool when the effectively and that wider facilities in the • The scope of the existing Business Improvement town was ablaze with tourism, theatre town are improved, including hotel provision, District is being reviewed, with a view to quality restaurants, Wi-Fi and mobile networks and business. It was, and still is, a great improving the quality, maintenance and (partly being introduced through additional place to live, study and work. Like every perceived safety of the public realm in the fibre alongside the tramway), way-finding and town centre. An integrated strategic plan for other town, Blackpool has problems; we improved public realm the marketing and delivery of events along the recognise them and I want to help solve • A feasibility study is proposed for a new whole of the Fylde Coast will be developed, them. architecturally-designed covered feature and including reviewing how to provide a more Sir Andrew Parmley attraction, sympathetic to the listed buildings, sustainable means of funding the illuminations Lord Mayor of London 2016 - 17 which will link the Tower, Winter Gardens, the • Blackpool is a key part of ‘Lancashire 2025’, the Grand Theatre, the Sands Resort Hotel and bid being made by Lancashire to be UK City of Showtown Museum, Houndshill Shopping Culture in 2025 Centre and its new IMAX cinema • It is recognised that social enterprise is a model • The £300m Blackpool Central development for better and more sustainable business in represents the biggest single investment in Blackpool. It will grow social enterprises by Blackpool for more than a century. Enabled by a embedding them in the supply chains of public land contribution from the Council, the site will and private organisations, by measuring the feature a range of indoor attractions including impact of social value in procurement. Blackpool the UK’s first flying theatre, virtual reality will become a beacon of social enterprise, experience, other themed attractions, new brought about by robust cross sector working hotels, restaurants, food market, event square, and by a bid for Social Enterprise Place status residential apartments and multi-storey parking. The development is expected to attract 600,000

Page 20 | Blackpool Town Prospectus SUPPORTING ECONOMIC DIVERSITY AND INNOVATION

• The approach to inward investment is being • Blackpool will play its part in the industrial • More office accommodation will be built in transformed with targeted business investment strategy grand challenge of 'clean growth' as the Talbot Gateway Central Business District, marketing, supported by a business led part of the North West’s energy coast, working enabling the creation of a Civil Service sounding board and the 'Born and Bred' alumni up proposals for an innovation zone with Hub (subject to government agreement) to network of leading UK individuals who are from Lancaster University connected to Big Data consolidate all Fylde-based civil service jobs in Blackpool and the Fylde Coast and new energy technologies. A significant central Blackpool expansion of higher education will be • Cutting edge technology will be available on the • Business start-up and grow-on incubator space encouraged so as to attract and retain talent Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone and there will will be expanded through further managed be more staff to help businesses settle and grow technology hub office space within Blackpool town centre

Blackpool Town Prospectus | Page 21 DIGITAL

Blackpool aims to be a Smart Resort using the latest digital technology adding value for residents and visitors alike. Blackpool is at the centre of the North Atlantic ultra-high speed data cable, connecting New York, the U.K. and Northern Europe. Landing at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone, the network is designed to support the needs of cloud-based networks, internet service providers and global media. Blackpool will be able to connect to New York 10 milli seconds faster than London.

The Cable presents an ideal opportunity for businesses to relocate to Blackpool, which need access to high speed connectivity including data centres, fintech, electronic gaming and shared business services. Investment in digital skills training will have led to a technology savvy employee base and enterprises leading the way in utilising technology to capture business opportunity. Blackpool is also one of the first locations to benefit from 5G technology with fibre optic cables that run the length of the promenade.

The town’s local cooperative fibre network provides cheap direct access to high speed internet and is at the heart of the regeneration of the town. Digital transformation is fundamental to reviving Blackpool Town Centre to create an enhancing experience for residents, visitors and businesses. Smart transport will improve connectivity within the town and increase footfall into stores and local attractions.

Page 22 | Blackpool Town Prospectus

COMMUNITIES AND HEALTH

HOUSING OVERVIEW

Blackpool has the greatest concentration of deprivation in England, with 8 of the 10 most deprived neighbourhoods in the country in inner Blackpool alone. This is linked to very poor-quality housing and the way the housing market works. Thousands of people move to the town every year, often running away from problems for a new start at the seaside but finding themselves housed in dense, poorly converted small flats, which compounds their personal issues. The area has been in decline since the traditional holiday accommodation market started to fail from the 1970s, leaving a legacy of thousands of small privately rented flats and an on-going challenge of establishing balanced Photo: New Housing at Foxhall Village residential neighbourhoods. This problem is shared with other coastal towns but Blackpool has levels set and paid by Government through the Some property owners set up unregulated a greater concentration over a wider area because Local Housing Allowance regulations. These are set supported housing in the town, often bringing in of the historic scale of the resort with thousands of based on rents in a much wider area, which includes vulnerable people from other areas, enabling them traditional guest houses. more affluent resorts like . The to get access to high local housing association rents received by the landlords are not linked to the exempt rates of housing benefit. This is available In the inner area of Blackpool around two thirds of quality of the accommodation, nor to its real market to any organisation who can prove that they are residents are on Housing Benefit, with local property value but the artificially high rental yields make it providing support, regardless of local need. This owners and distant investors converting buildings expensive for public and private investors to buy further weakens local communities and puts even into as many small flats as possible for rent to up buildings for redevelopment into more positive greater pressure on local public services. maximise their returns. With little alternative market uses. for these flats, rents reflect the Housing Benefit

Page 24 | Blackpool Town Prospectus TACKLING DEPRIVATION

The objective is to reduce this concentration of Fundamentally, the town wants to create a deprivation, lifting these areas out of the most housing offer that supports community stability deprived decile in the following ways: and aspiration. There is the opportunity for a wider mix of family homes by the sea aimed at a mixture • Pilot an intensive neighbourhood approach of income groups, close to new town centre in Claremont Ward which encourages and co- employment, leisure attractions and an upgraded ordinates Public Service interventions to support public transport, whilst taking advantage of growth this community so that lessons learned can be in the wider suburban housing market to deliver rolled out more widely across the town and balanced, connected and popular neighbourhoods nationally around the heart of Blackpool. • Uplift the quality of homes and create a better balance of home sizes through Blackpool Housing Company and partners intervening Photo: John Simpson by CJGriffiths Photography in the housing stock, including acquiring, demolishing and refurbishing properties and the further development of family houses in the Foxhall Village area • Working with national government on a pilot to change the way benefits currently work, to end the perverse incentive for private landlords to attract more people with complex needs into the town and into the most inappropriate housing

Blackpool Town Prospectus | Page 25 COMMUNITIES AND HEALTH

INITIATIVES ALREADY UNDERWAY

There is significant voluntary sector activity Blackpool Housing Company has a different focus. mitigating the effects of deprivation, including Established in 2016, the company, wholly owned by the National Lottery Community Fund, Blackpool Blackpool Council, has been acquiring, converting, Carers, Aspired Futures, Blackpool Boys and or refurbishing homes for market rent in inner Girls Club, Street Angels, Fulfilling Lives and many Blackpool over the last two years. It aims to increase more. Current housing initiatives seek to deliver the pace of positive change, provide better quality the maximum amount of change within financial housing and improve management and control restrictions. Foxhall Village is a flagship example of lettings. It operates without subsidy, borrowing of regenerating a deprived area. The first 199 of through the Council and delivering better quality a scheme of 400 homes have been built via a housing by requiring a lower return than private development agreement with a private partner, 50% investors. To date it has delivered 400 homes and of which are affordable, with the others available to begun managing services for the wider rental sector. owner-occupiers at £125-185,000. It has established Existing market forces however, driven by the a distinctive and desirable new neighbourhood in yields on offer to private landlords offering a poor the country’s twelfth most deprived ward. product, restrict the ability of Blackpool Housing Company and other investors to acquire property at a sensible cost and then remodel it into the quality of accommodation that inner Blackpool and its population so desperately needs. Photo: Station Road

Page 26 | Blackpool Town Prospectus PLANNED INITIATIVES ASKS OF GOVERNMENT

• Expand the successful Foxhall Village • Continue wider housebuilding so that there is no Work with Blackpool to develop a new style of development. The first two phases have been net loss of stock and facilitate the introduction of 'Housing Action Zone' which pilots changes in a success, proving that people want to invest ethical investors policy, approach and associated funding, aimed at and buy in the centre of Blackpool if the quality tackling the inner area’s challenges: • Support this activity by a new coalition of is right. Blackpool Council is now working with housing providers, focused on improving the partners to take forward and complete the next • Inject £100m to leverage Council, housing quality and management of housing stock phases as well as options for the wider area. association and private investment in new across the inner area The Council and its partners such as Blackpool homes and enable Blackpool Housing Company Football Club and the local community have to access the Government’s Affordable Housing ambition in Foxhall for further residential OUTCOMES Programme to convert more existing buildings development and sporting community facilities. • Deliver with partners 3,000 quality eco homes of • Explore the feasibility of providing transition • Blackpool Housing Company to acquire and mixed tenure in the inner area funding of up to a year from the home authority renovate an additional 100 homes a year in the when those in receipt of social care move to inner area • Reduce the concentration of deprivation so that Blackpool Blackpool is no longer in the bottom decile – a • Introduce new area plans to tackle public realm rise of 33 places • Use Blackpool as a pilot for local regulation of and place making supported housing that is funded through higher • The physical quality (look and feel) of inner local housing authority-exempt housing benefit • Work with Central Government to pilot changes Blackpool as assessed by a residents' survey - to public subsidy that remove perverse will match that of the rest of Blackpool incentives for landlords and instead incentivise investment in quality private rented housing • Transient renters in the inner area as measured by MOSAIC to be trending down from 74% to the • Test innovative interventions to provide housing average for Blackpool (currently 22%) for professionals and retirees and mixed leisure/ residential options

Blackpool Town Prospectus | Page 27 COMMUNITIES AND HEALTH

THE CLAREMONT PROJECT

Claremont Ward forms around a quarter of Blackpool’s inner area Fewer than half of residents and suffers from intense deprivation, are in employment, and there facing challenges of high rates of is a higher proportion of NEETs unemployment and crime combined than other Blackpool wards with poor health outcomes and low average household incomes. Its Over 28.8% residents suffer townscape is mainly densely packed streets of poor quality privately rented from a long term limiting illness houses, many of which are in multiple occupancy. The last three years has seen the development of a strong Claremont Over 14% of households are team of community residents, public service agencies, business leaders, overcrowded, double the civil society organisations, young Blackpool rate people and council representatives meeting regularly to tackle these 508 HMOs make up 36% of issues. It has concentrated on privately rented properties, three themes: housing, health, and young people. Each team is led by compared to a national Photo: The Magic Club by CJGriffiths Photography average of 2% a prominent business leader from within the town who are together contributing to the overall Pride of Place project in Blackpool.

Page 28 | Blackpool Town Prospectus INITIATIVES ALREADY UNDERWAY

The Claremont team has developed school the Claremont team has joint working relationships with hosted a community drop in advice key public service providers within evening which ran alongside the Claremont. Working in collaboration parents evening. They also hosted a with the GP practice, social prescribers successful careers event for year 5 and Public Health England has and 6 pupils. The mini police cadet ensured that the health professionals scheme has been successfully are working more closely with the introduced at the school developing community and other connected deeper knowledge of the work of organisations such as housing the police. The GP surgery has also providers. facilitated several health sessions for pupils and the wider community. The housing group continue to develop training for landlords and The Claremont team is determined tenants, completing street walks to develop opportunities for the around the neighbourhood identifying community to build their own futures properties of disrepair and any by supporting stronger, vibrant environmental issues. Working and well-resourced community with local councillors the team has organisations in Claremont like, supported rubbish amnesties to Claremont First Steps Community Image: Claremont postcard by LDA Design, Lambert Smith Hampton improve the environment of the area. Centre, Claremont Community Park Centre, and other successful initiatives Westminster Academy, which is such as the ‘Chatty Bus’, tackling social a primary school within the ward, isolation, community engagement and Unity Academy, both part of and improving health and support to the Fylde Coast Academy Trust, tenants. continue to support the young people and their families. Working with the Blackpool Town Prospectus | Page 29 COMMUNITIES AND HEALTH

PLANNED INITIATIVES

The aim is to back the plan submitted to Homes England which advocates a wider approach to the regeneration of the area, such as greening and pocket parks, reducing the density, improving the connectivity to the rest of Blackpool, focusing on the conversion of existing units as well as some demolition of derelict sites to provide new affordable housing units, reducing single occupancy and creating safe space for children and families.

To develop a research project with Lancaster University based on the ‘Born in Bradford’ project to understand the Health outcomes of those who live within Claremont and to improve these.

Continue to develop and encourage all community groups such as Blackpool Residents in Claremont (BRIC), Claremont First Steps Community Centre, uniformed organisations and the varied groups that meet at the Claremont Park Community Centre. Image: By LDA Design

To develop a project led by the Police to analyse Building an innovative and long-term programme Building the partnership between the Youth Work the immense number of Police call outs to HMO’s with Blackpool Opportunity Area and senior and the Schools of Claremont, enlisting the work of which a significant number were registered as divisional police leaders, which will develop this of Blackpool Football Club Community Trust, the supported living, which attracts a higher rate of vision for the Claremont team and find the resources private sector and civil society, so as to continually benefit payment to fund that holistic vision. support young people’s leadership in tackling social isolation, improving health and accessing employment opportunities. Page 30 | Blackpool Town Prospectus IMPACT STORY OUTCOMES ASKS OF GOVERNMENT

Regeneration of the area with the focus on the • An aspiration to create a body of evidence The Magic Club works with 7 to 16 year Homes England Community Housing funding, through a pilot project in Claremont that will be olds at four youth club sessions a week listening to views of the community envisages a rolled out across Blackpool and beyond, and greener Claremont, connected to the Beach, an used to inform future Government policy enterprising place and a fun place to live, proud of Over 200 members and welcoming 110 • Help to facilitate the sharing of data across being an inclusive and cohesive community, with young people to the club each week government departments to allow a common strong access to employment opportunities and evidence base to be created, which can be used high quality housing. Sharp decline in youth Anti-Social to develop evidence-driven collaboration Behaviour reported by the Police since Challenge and identify the pressure on both the • Support investment to the Opportunity Area and opening in Claremont Police and the Council’s Housing officers. The work other funding to build capacity in Claremont to by Blackpool Coastal Housing, My Blackpool Homes develop, manage and co-ordinate operational The work of the Magic club is the key to and local Housing Associations with The Blackpool activity that reflects the agreed strategy development of and engagement with the young Pride of Place partnership is making a compelling • Support for creation of a Public Service people of Claremont. Established in 2018 it has seen case for tackling the unsustainable transience in Partnership Board to drive the pooling is numbers grow to over 200 members offering trips, Claremont housing. of budgets over a 5 year period to tackle residentials, The Duke of Edinburgh programme prevention/early intervention and project work including entrepreneur skills, arts Many more young people in Claremont will be and drama. These are all provided free of charge. safe, skilled, supported and helped into work, with • Support the implementation of a vision for Holidays schemes are now in place supported by improved resilience, self-sufficiency and aspiration Claremont developed in conjunction with the Blackpool Opportunity Area and the Magic to continually support young people’s leadership Homes England club is continuing to support the wider community, in tackling social isolation, improving health and • Support for Youth Futures funding for NEET developing volunteering and training opportunities accessing employment opportunities will continue prevention post Opportunity Area and Youth and increasing the number of young people to drive the vision of the Claremont team. Endowment funding to tackle crime prevention who can access exciting opportunities they may not otherwise have access to and developing partnerships to improve outcomes for members.

Blackpool Town Prospectus | Page 31 COMMUNITIES AND HEALTH

HEALTH OVERVIEW

High rates of smoking cause high rates of lung disease and cancer, whilst drug deaths, alcohol-related harm, significant levels of mental health issues and a high suicide rate all contribute to people in Blackpool living shorter lives with fewer healthy years. The disparity is caused and exacerbated by deprivation, creating a social situation with low work expectations and aspirations which impacts directly on our potential to develop a skilled, resilient workforce and all of the health benefits which go along with stable, well-paid good employment. Dysfunctional domestic relationships contribute to high levels of risk of spousal and child abuse, with young people at a higher risk of Adverse Childhood Experiences than elsewhere. Blackpool has the highest rates of children in need and looked after children in the country, minimising health risks for hundreds of young people, but leading to poor educational outcomes.

Areas with healthy economies and higher rates of employment have been shown to have lower rates of poor health, and low life expectancy within their populations and fewer years living with disability. Essentially if we improve the economy in Blackpool then people here will live longer, healthier lives. Dr. Amanda Doyle Chief Clinical Officer, Blacpool CCG, Fylde and Wyre CCG and West Lancashire CCG Photo: HeadStart

Page 32 | Blackpool Town Prospectus The National Lottery Community Fund is investing £60m in community programmes: The male suicide rate in Blackpool is the 5th highest in the country • A Better Start (improving life chances of 0-3 year olds primarily in the 7 most deprived wards) 66.5% of adults in Blackpool are overweight or obese • HeadStart (improving mental health of 10-16 year olds) • Fulfilling Lives (supporting people with complex health needs) The number of children in need and looked after children remains the highest in the country Starting from this context, it is little wonder that Blackpool’s young people trail on educational outcomes, with the gap widening as they progress through 31% of pupils are below average on the mental toughness scores the system despite recent gains. Blackpool has roughly the same number of 16/17 year old NEETs and Not Knowns place Blackpool in the 'outstanding' or 'good' early years providers as the national average, whilst bottom quintile and more than twice the national average figures for children 'achieving a good level of development' at Foundation Stage are only a little lower. The picture at Key Stage 2 has recently improved, assisted Current Ofsted ratings, attainment and progress rates are by having a higher than average proportion of pupils in 'good' or 'outstanding' significantly below national averages for secondary schools primary schools - in 2016 just 37% of Blackpool’s disadvantaged pupils and 48% of all pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics, compared to 54% nationally but by 2017 the 'all pupils' figure had Blackpool is home to some of the nation’s best Sixth form and risen to the national average, although the previous performance still carries an further education provision implication for future skills levels. £6m core Opportunity Area funding has been granted to improve social mobility

Blackpool Town Prospectus | Page 33 COMMUNITIES AND HEALTH

EDUCATION

The plan is to focus on two particular approaches, to Over 15,000 meaningful employer complement and draw on the wide range of activity encounters in schools, exceeding national in the health and education spheres. Together these target should ensure that NEETs and unknowns by 2030 have reduced so that Blackpool is in the top quartile The difference becomes more marked at secondary for Lancashire school level. Over half of Blackpool pupils attend secondary schools which 'require improvement' • Firstly, the intention is to increase the resilience compared to 10% nationally, although some move of youngsters through tracking those entering to schools outside of the town. This is reflected in primary school in 2019 through to adulthood. attainment figures, with the second lowest rate of This will focus interventions on the full range of pupil progress in England, and only 48% achieving health needs, including improving mental health, grades 9-4 in English and Maths at GCSE. 4% fewer tackling obesity, substance abuse and teenage of these pupils then go on to sustained education, pregnancy employment or training, despite the town benefiting • Secondly, to concentrate in particular, on work from two 'outstanding'-rated tertiary colleges, readiness in schools so that those entering the which in turn impacts on a 16/17 year old NEET and workplace by 2030 will be more eligible to take destination unknown figure of roughly 3 times the on the full range of jobs available in Blackpool national average. Despite this, post - 16 provision is and beyond some of the best in the country, with Blackpool and the Fylde College achieving the highest possible gold rating in the Government’s new Teaching Excellence Framework.

Photo: Round table discussion by LDA Design, Lambert Smith Hampton

Page 34 | Blackpool Town Prospectus INITIATIVES ALREADY UNDERWAY

It is recognised that an effective approach to The focus of the Blackpool Pride of Place • HeadStart picks up the mantle when young improving health in the town is to tackle the causes, partnership is on young people, supporting their people transition into secondary school, taking not the symptoms. However, as new people with health and enabling them to take advantage of their a universal approach to building mental health existing issues continue to come to Blackpool, a education. There are three substantial projects resilience, supplemented by targeted initiatives balance of both is needed to prevent progress from aimed at achieving lasting change in how to develop to help those with greater needs such as those faltering. All of the initiatives outlined elsewhere young people in Blackpool, two funded by The who are self-harming and looked after children in this Prospectus seek to deliver prevention, with National Lottery Community Fund and one by DfE • The town has been chosen to be one of 12 immediate need dealt with by existing statutory with the Careers and Enterprise Company. By Opportunity Areas nationally, with a focus services and a wide range of voluntary sector integrating these streams, the plan is to shape the on how the school system can improve support. In addition, the Council’s public health whole environment and system around achieving social mobility, looking particularly at ways team commissions services across alcohol and better life outcomes: to raise progress and attainment – including tobacco harm reduction, drug prevention, healthy professional development, supporting weight initiatives, mental health and well-being and • A Better Start focuses on 0-3 year olds, vulnerable children and families to improve sexual health services amongst others – but tackling improving social and emotional development, attendance and reduce exclusions and to these challenges puts huge pressure on the public communication and language skills, and diet improve advice and support for young people purse, including failure leading to imprisonment and and nutrition to ensure that children are ready when moving between school and into work. pressure on police/public order services. for school. Although the primary focus is the Key initiatives include tailored support to town’s most deprived wards, other funding and improve English and Maths outcomes, funding the holistic approach has enabled the project to leadership qualifications for teachers, a project provide a town-wide approach, on key issues looking at how pupils transition to secondary such as extending the Health Visitor scheme school (in tandem with HeadStart) and Enterprise to cover more visits including a dedicated pre- Advisers to ensure that all young people receive school visit four high quality experiences of the world of work each year

Blackpool Town Prospectus | Page 35 COMMUNITIES AND HEALTH

PLANNED INITIATIVES EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

The work with Lancaster University will continue The project in Fleetwood is one of seven projects The primary focus of the Blackpool Pride of Place supporting activity which includes: across the UK undertaken by The Prince’s partnership will be to support the work readiness Foundation to coincide with The Prince’s 70th strand of activity of the Opportunity Area, supported • The continued development of community-level birthday in 2018 in a campaign known as 7 for 70. by the new Careers Hub. multi agency hubs such as Talbot and Brunswick Spearheaded by communities and supported by Children’s Centre and @theGrange and roll out The Prince’s Foundation, the seven projects focus • The Local Enterprise Partnership and Careers of Integrated Primary and Community Care plans on landmark buildings and sites, whether neglected, and Enterprise Company will build an Enterprise in need of a new use, or requiring construction. Advisor Network across all secondary schools, • The new Lancaster University Health Innovation Work has been underway for eighteen months to facilitating significant engagements for all Campus will explore new ways of improving transform this derelict building into a Community secondary school students, and then extend into skills in health and social care. Hub, which aspires for the top two floors to be home Primary Schools • An innovative pilot to sustain people with to an Intermediary Care Ward. The ground floor • A ground-breaking inclusion package will seek musculoskeletal conditions in employment, will be a centre of community, with voluntary sector to reduce the number of young people not in supporting them and their employers to look at organisations collaborating to ensure the whole mainstream education and build capacity in the suitable adaptations or alternative duties or roles building has a holistic impact on health and well- school system to sustain this. This will include a being. • Integration 2020 is about building a new village place-based approach to wrap around support to improve community health and prevent ill- for families delivered through school family hubs health through integrated public, private and • The Transition Hub Initiative – a pilot project voluntary sector provision. It uses co-production to ensure that the move between primary and to empower people and communities to take a secondary schools is seamless, facilitating more active, sustained role, resulting in tailored the sharing of individual student records on approaches which are owned and acted on by educational issues, family issues, and enterprise local people and organisations experience • A Tertiary Transition initiative - managed by Blackpool Sixth Form College will facilitate a seamless transition from secondary school into college or work

Page 36 | Blackpool Town Prospectus OUTCOMES ASKS OF GOVERNMENT

The Fylde Coast Responsible Business Network Today’s youngsters and future generations will be • NHS England to establish a task force to (RBN) will continue to encourage and support local more resilient, skilled and employable in 2030, concentrate on the serious mental health businesses to help in schools. The Fylde Coast measured by the employment rates of 16-24 year challenges in the town, including: RBN was launched in October 2018 with a mission olds being in the top quartile across Lancashire. • Providing sufficient beds to inspire and engage businesses to become more Also: responsible and tackle some of the area’s key • Effective signposting and coordinated care challenges as set by the Blackpool Pride of Place • Blackpool residents will have the skills to benefit of vulnerable people with complex needs partnership. The RBN is already making a difference from higher earning jobs in the town and more and chaotic lifestyles and has gone from a standing start to a thriving local jobs will go as a first step to local residents • Providing a mental health diagnosis before network of over 60 local businesses which share • The average standard across Blackpool schools leaving those with drugs and alcohol misuse insights, expertise and knowledge of how best to for English and Maths GCSE will equal the problems to self-medicate support the community and its key campaigns, national average which are: • Provision of access to information between • All schools will achieve all 8 'Gatsby' NHS health and local partners to better • Helping young people prepare for the world benchmarks (which define world class careers monitor and track the effectiveness of of work (in partnership with the Careers and provision), from a current base of 3 initiatives on health outcomes and how joined up approaches can best support Enterprise Company) • There will be further investment and expansion individuals • Helping unemployed people back into work into Higher Education in central Blackpool, (in partnership Positive Steps). In its first year, making it more prominent in the town • Extension of the 3-year Opportunity Area members of the RBN contributed to schools programme until 2030 and continued support within the Blackpool Opportunity Area achieving for 'tilt' of relevant national funding programmes 92% on Gatsby benchmark 5 (encounters with towards its objectives, in particular: employers) and 56% on Gatsby Benchmark 6 • Support and funding for teacher recruitment (workplace experience) and training • The reputation and impact of the RBN has not • Authority and funding for reviewing the gone unnoticed with the network now being quality of home education replicated in neighbouring Lancaster • Essential life skills training

Blackpool Town Prospectus | Page 37 GLOSSARY

BetterStart An NSPCC-led partnership funded by National Lottery Community Fund, working closely with the Early Intervention Foundation on the health and development of 0-3-year olds. Blackpool Housing Company Owned by Blackpool Council, refurbishing flats and providing a tailored service to support tenants to set up home and maintain their tenancies. Born and Bred Network A network of alumni for Blackpool and the Fylde Coast to influence nationally and drive activity locally. DFE Department for Education Careers and Enterprise Company An organisation to inspire young people for the fast-changing world of work. Energy HQ One stop shop for all of the energy sector’s training needs, delivering the next generation of engineers and technicians for the renewable and oil and gas energy sectors. Working with the energy industry to upskill its workforce. Enterprise Zone Blackpool Airport EZ is a 144-hectare site including the existing airport and surrounding commercial areas. Hillhouse International EZ is a former chemical production facility located on the Fylde Coast. Claremont First Steps Community Based in the Claremont ward of Blackpool. A community centre for all ages, responding to the needs of the community. Centre Fulfilling Lives National Lottery Community funded initiative run by Addaction charity, helping people with chaotic lifestyles towards productive lives. Future High Street Fund Future High Streets Fund will support and fund local areas’ plans to make their high streets and town centres fit for the future. Gatsby A set of benchmarks for good career guidance. HeadStart A multi-agency National Lottery Community funded programme aimed at building resilience in young people across Blackpool. HMO's Houses of Multiple Occupation Houses of Multiple Occupation. Often ex Bed and Breakfasts housing people on housing benefit. Integration 2020 A co-produced approach to community health improvement based on local assets and leadership. NEETs A young person who is no longer in the education system and who is not working or being trained for work. Opportunity Area 12 areas funded by the Department for Education to improve social mobility. The aspiration is to raise education standards by creating partnerships with early years providers, schools, colleges, universities and businesses. Positive Steps is a Blackpool Council service designed to get unemployed people back into work and, at the same time, help local businesses to recruit local people into their jobs. Pride of Place Board (PoP) is a group people from business, voluntary and public sectors who have come together to promote economic development and tackle some of the area’s challenges. Progress 8 Benchmarks An accountability measure introduced by Government in 2016 to measure the effectiveness of secondary schools. Responsible Business Network Local businesses committed to making tangible interventions in the community, in schools and to develop and support people into work including apprenticeships. Selective Licensing A scheme seeking to improve the management and condition of rented properties. SME Small and medium-sized enterprises. The Magic Club A new youth facility for young people aged 8 – 16 in the heart of Claremont, Blackpool. TfN Transport for the North Town Deal Towns across England will work with the government to develop innovative regeneration plans.

Page 38 | Blackpool Town Prospectus PRIDE OF PLACE BLACKPOOL PRIDE OF PLACE BOARD MEMBERS NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

Dr Amanda Doyle OBE Chief Clinical Officer for Blackpool CCG, Fylde and Wyre Amanda Mackenzie OBE Chief Executive Officer, Business in the Community CCG and West Lancashire CCG Sir Andrew Parmley Former Lord Mayor of the City of London Alan Cavill Director, Communication and Regeneration, Andy Charles Project Lead, Blackpool Pride of Place, Blackpool Council Business in the Community Andrew Darron Chief Executive Officer, Groundwork Carrie Longton Co-founder, Mumsnet Andy Anderson Head of Research and Development, Victrex Charlie Eckton Managing Director, Occ Psychs Andy Charles Project Lead, Blackpool Pride of Place, Christine Hodgson CBE Chair, Blackpool Pride of Place partnership, Business in the Community Chair, Severn Trent plc Antony Lockley Director of Strategy and Assistant Chief Executive, Baroness Jo Valentine Place Director, Business in the Community Blackpool Council Neil Jack Chief Executive, Blackpool Council Anna Blackburn Managing Director, Beaverbrooks Oliver Pauley Managing Director, Bunhill Limited Christine Hodgson CBE Chair, Pride of Place Board, Chair, Severn Trent plc Paul Smith Special Projects Director, Business in the Community, Duncan Nicholson Head of Regional funding for North East and , Chair, Blackpool Towns Fund Board National Lottery Community Fund Stuart Noble Former Police Commander, , Graham Cowley Chair, Blackpool Opportunity Area Consultant, Business in the Community Frank Heald Chair, Wyre Dock Development Stuart Snaith Managing Director, Fotofit Productions Helen Boughton MBE DL Managing Director, Danbro Lord Tom McNally Chair, Fleetwood Trust Jed Sullivan Chair, Council for Voluntary Services Lady Wendy Parmley Former Lady Mayoress of the City of London John Ainsworth Chief Operating Officer, Business Transformation Services, Atos Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO CBE Vice Patron, Teach First, Chair, Claremont Steering Group Kate Shane Managing Director, Blackpool Cluster, Merlin Entertainments Group Linton Brown Chief Commercial Officer, Blackpool Football Club ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Mark Adlestone OBE DL Chair, Beaverbrooks Neil Jack Chief Executive, Blackpool Council With grateful thanks to the Department for Work & Pensions for the secondment of Susan Brown to help prepare this Prospectus and to Scott Butterfield of Blackpool Council for his support. Thanks Paul Smith Special Projects Director, Business in the Community, to Michelle Walker, Laura James and Tony Depledge from the Blackpool Pride of Place team. Chair, Blackpool Towns Fund Board Thanks also to The Connectives for facilitating the community consultation on the vision and to Sebastian Bull Managing Director Property Development, Joseph Boniface Architects and Nick Moss of Blackpool Council for help with the maps. To Georgie Associated British Ports Ireland and Steven Donnelly from Visit Blackpool and Paragon Customer Communication for Stephen Young Executive Director of Growth, Environment, printing the Prospectus. Transport & Community Services, Lancashire County Council Stuart Noble Former Police Commander, Lancashire Constabulary, COPYRIGHT Consultant, Business in the Community Steve Fogg Chair, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, We acknowledge copyright of photographs from the following sources: BBC, Casson Mann, Chair, Responsible Business Network CJGriffiths Photography, Gregg Wolstenholme, HeadStart, Sean Conboy, Dawn Mander and Dame Sue Black DBE Pro-Vice Chancellor for Engagement, Lancaster University VisitBlackpool. LDA Design, Lambert Smith Hampton. Tara McDaid Client Director, BT Account, Cisco Blackpool Town Prospectus | Page 39