Author: Ed

North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce

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The building on Amy Johnson Way in Blackpool, which serves as the headquarters for the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, was completed and opened in 2002. The road was named after the pioneering British aviator Amy Johnson and the building was built by Chris Hermolle and Ed Christiano of Encore Developments. This modern facility was strategically located to offer good accessibility near major transport routes and amenities. Equipped with contemporary facilities, the building features meeting rooms, conference spaces, and administrative offices designed to support the Chamber’s diverse range of business services. It acts as a central hub for… Read more »

LancsMUG Launch

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Lancashire Mac Users Group was first launched in 2011 at the new Chamber of Commerce building on Lockheed Court, Amy Johnson Way. From there it moved to FY Creatives on Church Street and then to a conference room at N-Vision at Squires Gate. Since 2013, it’s been meeting at Tesco’s flagship store called ‘Extra’. Everyone is welcome to attend meetings and try one on for size, or just to go as and when they need help. There is no cost or commitment required. So whether you’re an avid user or just beginning to use Apple products, members and visitors almost… Read more »

The Old Electric Theatre

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Just a short stroll from the promenade, Blackpool’s newest community arts venue provides a unique setting for creative activities. The venue aims to make arts and culture accessible to everyone in Blackpool, offering a range of shows, engaging activities, educational programmes, and varied experiences. The Electric Sunshine Project (TESP), founded in 2016, was established to nurture creative expression through workshops, events, projects, and performances. Their mission is to break down barriers and encourage children, families, and individuals to explore their creativity. The name ‘Electric Sunshine’ pays tribute to Blackpool’s historic achievement in 1879 when it became the first town in…

Grand Theatre

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The Grand Theatre in Blackpool is a historic venue that has been a central part of the town’s cultural scene for more than a century. Designed by the famous Victorian architect Frank Matcham, it first opened its doors on July 23, 1894. The theatre showcases Matcham’s distinctive style, blending Baroque, Rococo, and Gothic influences. Its lavish interior, adorned with intricate plasterwork and gold detailing, makes it an impressive and visually captivating space. Over the years, the theatre has seen several restorations to maintain its historic appeal while updating its facilities. It was saved from demolition in the 1970s by passionate…

Lisa Kudrow from ‘Friends’ in Blackpool to Film Netflix Series

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Feel Good is a British comedy-drama TV series that blends romance with personal growth, created by Mae Martin and Joe Hampson. It centres around Mae, portrayed by Mae Martin as a fictionalised version of themselves, and George, played by Charlotte Ritchie, Mae’s girlfriend. The show is a semi-autobiographical narrative that explores Mae’s journey with love, addiction, and identity. The first season, consisting of six episodes, debuted on Channel 4 in the UK on 18 March 2020, with all episodes made available for streaming on All 4 shortly after. Internationally, Netflix released the show on 19 March 2020. The series was…

Robbie Williams Promo Video at the Belle Vue Pub

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Robbie Williams filmed the music video for his song “Advertising Space” at the Belle Vue pub in Blackpool. The shoot took place in June 2005 and made the most of the pub’s nostalgic and traditional atmosphere to match the song’s emotional story. The Belle Vue Pub was chosen because it holds sentimental value for Williams, being closely linked to his late grandfather, Jack Farrell. The video shows various scenes inside the pub, highlighting its vintage character and adding a meaningful visual connection to the music. This choice of location reflects Williams’ appreciation for his roots and brings a personal touch…

Raikes Hall Hotel

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Raikes Hall, a grand mansion built by William Boucher in 1760, originally featured an elegant ground floor with three parlours, a servant’s hall, a butcher’s pantry, and a kitchen. The upper two floors included four guest rooms and additional quarters for servants. The estate also boasted gardens, orchards, stables, and various outbuildings. Legend has it that the name Raikes Hall came from the fact that Boucher was in fact involved in wrecking ships and plundering their cargo for profit; a play on ‘wrecker’ became ‘raikes’ – a raike was also a man of low morals and criminality so I will…

Royal Palace Gardens

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“To go to Blackpool and not visit the Royal Palace Gardens is to visit London and not visit the Crystal Palace or Westminster Abbey, or go to Rome and not visit the Vatican or the Coliseum!”London Weekly News – 1891 The Royal Palace Gardens was a world famous destination for variety and music hall stars and touring exhibitions and battle re-enactments like ‘Savage South Africa’ and the ‘Afghan War’. With its lavish Grand Opera House, Indian Pavilion and famous botanical gardens, conservatories and menageries, it covered an area of over 40 acres. It was the first of Blackpool entertainment complexes… Read more »

Steve Gomersall and the Premier Bowl

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The tenpin bowling centre on Central Drive in Blackpool opened on 1 October 1965, just a short walk from the seafront. It had thirty-six Brunswick lanes all on one level with A2 type pinsetters. The centre operated until the early 1970s when the Rank Organisation decided to close all its remaining bowling centres, although the Blackpool Mecca Building remained. In the 1970s, it became well-known for The Highland Room, which was a major Northern Soul music venue. From 1977, it hosted the Commonwealth Sporting Club but closed down in the 1980s. It’s not clear if the building was used in…

Arnold School Merges with King Edward VII and Queen Mary School

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In September 2012, Arnold School merged with King Edward VII and Queen Mary School in Lytham St Annes to form Arnold KEQMS (now AKS Lytham), and from September 2013 the new school was fully co-located at the Lytham St Annes site. Arnold School, a respected independent school with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1880, closed in 2013 when it merged with King Edward VII and Queen Mary School (KEQMS) in Lytham St Annes to form a new institution called AKS Lytham, as seen in the picture of its current state. The merger was designed to combine…