Author: Ed

Blackpool Business Leaders Group

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The Blackpool Business Leadership Group (BBLG) was formed in 2006 with the goal of fostering collaboration between the private, public, and third sectors to support Blackpool’s economic growth and regeneration. Initially a small collective of business leaders, the group has expanded significantly and now includes around 250 leaders from across the Fylde Coast. Its core mission is to drive engagement from the business community in the town’s regeneration and to simplify and enhance business support systems. It also aims to involve the private sector in broader enterprise initiatives. Under the leadership of Martin Long, following the long-standing tenure of Philip… Read more »

Murder on Blackpool Express

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Murder on the Blackpool Express is a 2017 comedy-drama television film written by Jason Cook. A parody of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, the film blends humour with a mystery narrative. It stars Johnny Vegas as Terry, a down-to-earth coach driver, and Sian Gibson as Gemma, the tour guide and his love interest. The film also features a star-studded cast, including Sheila Reid, Una Stubbs (in her final role), Griff Rhys Jones, Nina Wadia, Nigel Havers, Kimberley Nixon, and Kevin Eldon. The plot revolves around a bus tour designed for mystery novel enthusiasts, led by the pompous author… Read more »

Mel B Switches on the Lights

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Mel B expressed how privileged she felt to be chosen to switch on the Blackpool Illuminations, a moment she described as especially meaningful due to her deep connection to the resort. The Spice Girls singer, who once lived in Blackpool as a teenager, recalled her early days as a 16-year-old dancer in the Mystique show at the Pleasure Beach. This experience marked her first professional job before she rose to global fame with the Spice Girls. Reflecting on her childhood, Mel B shared fond memories of her family visiting the Illuminations every year in their “clapped-out car,” sitting in traffic…

Major Upgrade to the Ruskin Hotel

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In 2017, Tony Banks of Blackpool Promotions became the new owner of the Ruskin Hotel on Albert Road, a long-established 71-bedroom hotel that had been a staple of Blackpool’s hospitality scene for over 80 years. The Ruskin, which had been owned by the same family for decades, was sold as the owners decided to retire. Banks, who already owned four other hotels in the area, including The Royal Carlton, The Royal Seabank, The Boston, and Southbank, announced plans for a £500,000 investment to breathe new life into the hotel. His vision included the addition of spa facilities, which he hoped… Read more »

Yates’s Wine Lodge History and Fire

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In July 1861, the first-floor hall of the building was being promoted in the local press as soon to reopen as the New Theatre Royal. By August of that year, its manager, Watkins Young, had secured a theatrical licence, allowing performances to be staged during the summer months. The building itself boasted a long and intricate history, with its origins tracing back to 1868, when it first opened its doors as the Arcade and Assembly Rooms. In 1896, Yates Bros Ltd took over the property, converting the ground floor into Yate’s Wine Lodge, which remained in operation until the building’s…

Lady Gaga Performs at the Opera House

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On 7 December 2009, Lady Gaga delivered a performance at the Royal Variety Performance at Blackpool’s iconic Opera House that left the audience, including Queen Elizabeth II, utterly captivated. Known for her bold and avant-garde fashion choices, Gaga surpassed all expectations by appearing on stage dressed as Queen Elizabeth I in a striking red latex outfit. The ensemble, complete with an intricate ruffled dress and dramatic sparkly eye makeup, was a stunning blend of historical reference and modern eccentricity. Her performance was equally daring, featuring a massive, surrealist Dali-style piano that added an extra layer of spectacle to her already… Read more »

Will Smith Performing on the Promenade

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Hollywood star Will Smith headlined the final night of the 2017 Livewire Festival on Blackpool Promenade, performing with DJ Jazzy Jeff. This performance marked their only UK show that year, delighting fans with hits like Miami, Summertime, and Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It. Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff first teamed up in the 1980s and won a Grammy for their hit Parents Just Don’t Understand. Ahead of the festival, Smith posted a rehearsal video online, teasing fans with a simple message: “Y’all Ready??” Known for his successful acting career, Smith became a household name with his role in the 1990s sitcom… Read more »

Jimmy Tarbuck

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Jimmy Tarbuck, often affectionately called ‘Tarby’, is a well-known figure with a long history in British entertainment. A prominent supporter of the Conservative Party, he was particularly aligned with Margaret Thatcher and even baked a cake to celebrate her 60th birthday in 1985. A keen golfer, Tarbuck made a name for himself as a regular participant in televised pro-celebrity golf matches. He is also a passionate supporter of Liverpool Football Club. Tarbuck’s career began as a holiday camp entertainer, and he made his Blackpool debut in 1963, performing a week of cabaret at the Sands Club, Marton. He returned in… Read more »

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Course

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Founded in 1886, Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club is one of the most prestigious Championship links courses in the world, known for its challenging design and rich history. It has hosted eleven Open Championships, two Ryder Cups, and numerous other major tournaments, including the Women’s Open, Senior Open, and The Walker Cup. The course is renowned for its 174 strategically placed pot bunkers, which create formidable hazards and test even the most skilled golfers. While not directly on the coast, it is close enough to be affected by the sea breeze, adding an extra layer of difficulty. Surrounded… Read more »

Gracie Fields’ Love Affair with Blackpool

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Gracie Fields, the iconic Lancashire lass, maintained a lifelong connection with Blackpool, a place that held a special charm for her throughout her illustrious career. Her first encounter with the resort came as a young girl on an outing for underprivileged children from Rochdale. At just seven years old, she wandered under North Pier and became lost as the tide rolled in. By the age of 14, she returned with professional ambitions, running away to Blackpool in hopes of joining a juvenile performance troupe. Fields began topping show bills in Blackpool in the 1920s, performing in her husband Archie Pitt’s… Read more »