ONE of the UK’s most popular seaside towns is upgrading its major tourist attractions.
Blackpool‘s Winter Gardens first opened in 1878, with the huge entertainment complex home to 12 venues now Grade II listed.
And the attraction is now getting an upgrade in two areas – The Olympia and The Arena, with works expected to cost £495,000,
The Arena, which opened in 1896, was once an Indian-inspired lounge and a cabaret bar, before being turned into a venue space.
And the Olympia, which opened in 1930, is used for exhibitions.
Both are being improved with better bars and facilities as well as new flooring and walls.
Winter Gardens managing director Michael Williams said: “Since 2022, we have embarked on a phased improvement of our bars and catering facilities.
“The benefits of these investments are now evident in the Empress Ballroom and other refurbished areas, improving both customer experience and operational efficiency.”
Parts of the Winter Garden have already been improved, with £1.7million put towards the bars at the Empress Ballroom and Opera House.
The Opera House is one of the largest theatres in the UK, which has welcomed famous stars such as Judy Garland, Charlie Chaplin and Frank Sinatra.
Newer acts have included Tom Jones and Peter Kay.
And a new museum and conference centre at also set to open at the Winter gardens.
It’s not the only new addition coming to Blackpool.
A £300million development is to transform Blackpool‘s Golden Mile.
First announced in 2021, it includes a huge indoor entertainment complex, with rides, restaurants and bars.
A new tram extension and tram stop opened after a £23million project, as well as the £13million new Showton Blackpool museum.
A new hotel is opening at the seaside theme park Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
In addition to the current two hotels – Big Blue Hotel and Boulevard Hotel – the third will be near the casino building.
And the theme park’s Ice Blast is reopening after a year-long closure, and will be even faster.
Mum Catherine Lofthouse visited Blackpool last year with her family, here’s what she thought…
Bumbling along the beach in Blackpool, with the iconic tower as a backdrop, it feels like we’ve stepped inside a postcard, capturing the very essence of the great British seaside.
Whether you love a back-to-basics bucket-and-spade beach break, want a thrill a minute at one of the UK’s oldest theme parks or fancy a night on the tiles, there’s everything you need at Blackpool.
As a Strictly fan, I’d wanted to pay homage to the home of ballroom, but didn’t find much else to make me break out in song and dance.
But this summer, it feels like Blackpool is on the up.
Everywhere I look, there’s building taking place and existing attractions being spruced up.
There’s been investment along the seafront, with Merlin, the company behind Alton Towers and Legoland, recently opening its eighth attraction in the town with the arrival of the Gruffalo Clubhouse for little ones.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is redeveloping some of its big name rides too, like Valhalla, which draws in theme park enthusiasts from across the UK and beyond.
Away from the beach, work is taking place to restore the historic Winter Gardens and their surrounds to their former glory.
