Outdoor arena gets Government stamp of approval
Blackpool's ambitious plans to develop a spectacular open air arena in the shadow of Blackpool Tower are to go ahead.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport today confirmed that the town had been successful in bidding for £4m of funding that will see the building of a 20,000 capacity events space on the proposed Tower Festival Headlands on the promenade.
The project will cost in excess of £11m and will receive additional funding from the North West Development Agency.
Work on the new headlands site will commence in the autumn with a view to getting the performance area opened by April 2010.
The Tower Festival Headlands project was put together following the failed People's Playground bid that would have resulted in all of the new headlands being turned into a surreal outdoor playground.
The events area is likely to incorporate the "comedy carpet" - a celebration of Britain's comic talent - that was part of the original People's Playground bid.
It will be adaptable for a wide range of events including music, dance and circus, and will build on the innovative entertainment that is already being developed through Blackpool's 365 events programme. It will also be used for major events including the Illuminations switch on ceremony.
The plans submitted to Government include the building of removable wind shields to protect the performance area, and a realignment of the road and tramway to faciltate closure of the roads when events are underway.
Cllr Maxine Callow, portfolio holder for tourism and regeneration on Blackpool Council, described today's funding decision as "crucial".
She added: "It takes us one step closer to realising our dream of becoming an innovative, inspirational and world-renowned destination."
Sir Howard Bernstein, newly appointed chairman of Blackpool's regeneration company, ReBlackpool, added: "This is another step forward in the transformation of the town.
"We are determined that this first step will lead to further investment by both private and public sectors."