Author: Ed

The Odeon Becomes Funny Girls

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The Odeon The current location of Funny Girls used to be Blackpool’s Odeon Cinema, which opened on the 6th of May 1939 with the film ‘Three Smart Girls Grow Up’. The Cinema was the largest of all the Oscar Deutsch built Odeon Theatres at the time and could accommodate over 3,000 people on its two levels, stalls and one circle. There was also a large cafe on the first floor, which would later be converted into a bar. Although the main entrance to the Theatre was on Dickson Road there was also an entrance to the front stalls on Springfield… Read more »

Over 120 Years of Tower Circus

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Blackpool Tower Circus opened on 14 May 1894 at the base of the Blackpool Tower. The Tower Circus is one of the only static circuses in existence in the United Kingdom and only one of two Victorian circuses, which are still in use today. The Blackpool Tower Circus is one of the two major auditoriums in the Blackpool Tower Complex, the other being the Tower Ballroom. Both were designed originally by Maxwell and Turk in 1894, but were redesigned by the renowned Theatre Architect, Frank Matcham in 1899, and are in different but equally lavish styles. After the redesign by…

The Mitre – Blackpool’s Smallest Pub

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Tucked away in the heart of Blackpool, The Mitre holds a distinctive place in the town’s social and architectural history. Often described as Blackpool’s smallest pub, this modest building represents more than just a curiosity of size; it is a surviving fragment of the town’s earlier streetscape, linking modern visitors with the character of nineteenth-century Blackpool. The structure stands on land once known as Dobson’s Row, an area that can be traced back to the late eighteenth century, when Blackpool was still developing from a small coastal settlement into a recognised seaside resort. By 1863, the premises were recorded as…

Regent Cinema Legacy

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Located in the heart of Blackpool Town, The Regent Cinema invites you to come and enjoy a movie experience like no other! Originally opening it doors in 1921, The Regent Cinema boasted 1092 seats and a retractable roof. It proved to be a popular cinema for decades before it was used for bingo during the week in 1969. Rewrite: In 1969 the Cinema went over to part time Bingo use and by August 1973, under Coral’s ownership, Bingo became full time. During its Bingo years several refurbishment took place, including leveling the stalls floor and knocking into the building next door… Read more »

B&M Bargains Success Story

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B&M is now one of the leading variety retailers in the UK and opened its first store in Blackpool in 1978. In 2004 B&M was acquired by Simon and Bobby Arora from Phildrew Investments, at which time the Company traded from just 21 stores. The business moved into a new head office and modern 620,000 square foot distribution centre in Speke, Liverpool. In 2012 B&M opened its 300th store in the UK. Clayton, Dubilier and Rice, one of the world’s leading private equity firms acquired a significant stake in B&M and Sir Terry Leahy was appointed and served as Chairman of B&M until March 2018…. Read more »

Meet The Funders Event

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The first Meet the Funders event was held at the The Fifth Floor, Blackpool Tower’s iconic new venue on Wednesday 27 September 2023. The event was very well attended and open to individuals and organisations from across the Fylde Coast. Blackpool-based artists, arts organisations, community organisations, registered charities, community groups, community interest companies (ClCs), non-profit limited companies by guarantee, social enterprises, churches, community-led charities and not-for-profit organisations were all encouraged to attend. More than 200 delegates from the VCFSE sector gathered at the iconic Blackpool Tower for a series of presentations by some largest grant funding bodies, regionally and nationally. The…

Coastal Radio Launch

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After gaining significant experience in the radio industry over the years, Paula decided to take the next step in her career by launching her very own station. In 2022, the opportunity arose when the newly established DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) multiplex became available for Blackpool, Wyre, and Fylde, and Paula saw it as the perfect platform to fulfil her long-held ambition of owning a radio station. On 26th September 2022, Coastal Radio officially went on air, marking a major achievement for Paula and her team. The launch of Coastal Radio provided a fresh, local voice to the community, offering a… Read more »

Great Promenade Show

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The Great Promenade Show is a unique outdoor art exhibition that stretches along Blackpool’s South Promenade. Created as part of an initiative to rejuvenate the town’s seafront, it showcases a series of large-scale, interactive sculptures and installations that celebrate Blackpool’s history, culture, and vibrant atmosphere. This open-air gallery, which runs between the South Pier and Squires Gate, is a blend of public art and tourism, offering visitors a free cultural experience as they stroll along the coastline. The artworks in the Great Promenade Show were commissioned from a variety of British and international artists. Each piece is designed to reflect… Read more »

Fylde Fracking Protests

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Reclaim the Power protesters outside the Cuadrilla Fracking Site on Preston New Road Little Plumpton. Amy Johnson Way, Lockheed Court, Blackpool. 18th August 2014. Protesters from the anti-fracking camp near the site of a proposed drilling rig at Westby, occupy Cuadrilla’s HQ at Lockheed Court in Blackpool, just above the local Chamber of Commerce offices. About 11 protesters have locked themselves inside the offices with scores of demonstrators dancing and singing outside the building.

Winter Gardens

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The Winter Gardens, a prominent entertainment venue in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, features a theatre, ballroom, and conference facilities. Established in 1878, it is a Grade II listed building. The Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited operates it on behalf of Blackpool Council, which acquired the property from Leisure Parcs Ltd in 2010 as part of a £40 million deal. Throughout its history, the Winter Gardens has been the venue for numerous significant events, including the annual Trades Union Congress, the Conservative Party Conference, the Labour Party Conference, and the Liberal Democrat Conference held twice a year. The venue’s management noted that every…