Category: 2026

Rebekah Warburton OBE: From Administrative Officer to National Honours Recognition

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Rebekah Warburton, from St Annes, has been awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to public service through her work at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Currently serving as Deputy Director for Health Transformation and Delivery, Warburton’s career is a remarkable example of progression, leadership and dedication within the Civil Service. Her journey began in 2004 when she joined the Department for Work and Pensions as an Administrative Officer within the Child Support Agency. Starting in an entry-level role, she steadily built her career through a combination of…

Alan Cavill MBE: The Man Behind Blackpool’s Modern Regeneration

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Few individuals have had a greater influence on Blackpool’s transformation during the past three decades than Alan Cavill MBE. As one of the leading figures behind the town’s regeneration strategy, Cavill has played a central role in reshaping Blackpool’s economy, infrastructure, tourism offer and public spaces, helping to drive investment worth billions of pounds into the resort. In 2026, his contribution was formally recognised when he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to regeneration in Blackpool. Born in February 1960 and raised in Blackpool, Cavill has spent…

Upside Down House Opens on Blackpool Prom

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The biggest Upside Down House has arrived on Blackpool’s iconic Promenade! Designed for visitors of all ages, this interactive photo experience invites guests to step into a world where nothing is quite as it seems – perfect for capturing mind-bending photos and unforgettable memories. With its striking sky-blue exterior inspired by its seaside surroundings near South Pier, this is one attraction you won’t be able to miss. But the real magic begins inside, where gravity is flipped on its head and every room offers a surreal twist on reality. From floors becoming ceilings to furniture defying expectations, prepare to see…

Snooker Shoot Out: Blackpool’s Fast-Paced Snooker Spectacle

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The Snooker Shoot Out has firmly established itself as one of the most distinctive and entertaining tournaments on the professional snooker calendar, and it will return to Blackpool from 9 to 12 December 2026 at the Tower Circus inside The Blackpool Tower. Unlike traditional ranking events, which are played over multiple frames and extended sessions, the Shoot Out uses a single-frame format with a strict 10-minute time limit per match. A shot clock operates throughout, typically allowing 15 seconds per shot during the first half of the frame and reducing to 10 seconds during the closing stages. The compressed format…

Tramtown Museum Set To Close

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Tramtown on Rigby Road has been ordered to close after an independent structural survey concluded that the building is unsafe. Lynn Williams confirmed that the museum’s public entrance had been deemed structurally unsound, stating that the council could not risk reopening the site while safety concerns remain. The announcement follows an earlier temporary closure caused by an electrical fault. While repair work was being carried out, a structural engineer’s inspection identified more serious issues with the building. Williams also said recent high winds had worsened the situation, tearing additional roof panels away and leading to further water ingress. All vehicles…

Blackpool South Beach Street Food Set For Summer

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The South Beach Street Food project represents a bold and modern addition to Blackpool’s South Shore, combining regeneration, independent enterprise and distinctive design in one vibrant coastal destination. Positioned close to South Pier and the Promenade, the development aims to transform previously underused space into a lively, year-round food and social hub that serves both residents and visitors. At the heart of the concept is its striking architectural approach: a collection of converted shipping containers repurposed into fully functioning street food kitchens. Rather than traditional brick-built units, the project embraces stacked and reconfigured steel containers, creating an industrial-style food village…

Tenpin Bowling Centre To Open in Blackpool

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Blackpool’s indoor leisure offer is set to expand significantly in 2026 with the opening of a major new Tenpin entertainment complex at the former Odeon building on Rigby Road, close to Festival Leisure Park. The project will bring new life to a long-vacant cinema site and is being described as one of the town’s largest recent investments in family-focused leisure. The development will be operated by Tenpin Ltd, one of the UK’s leading bowling and entertainment providers. Plans for the Blackpool venue include 24 full-sized bowling lanes, placing it among the larger centres in the region. However, the attraction is…

Lottery Winner Raymond Young Celebrates Thunderball Jackpot with Trip to Blackpool

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A Scottish lottery winner chose Blackpool as the setting for his celebrations after scooping a £500,000 Thunderball jackpot. Raymond Young, 63, from Edinburgh, landed the top prize in the 23 March draw using numbers he had played consistently since Thunderball launched nearly 25 years ago. Rather than opting for an exotic getaway, the recently retired British Gas worker headed straight to the Lancashire coast — a place he describes as his “home from home”. Young has holidayed in Blackpool since childhood, recalling days spent playing on the beach and returning over the years to stay with friends. For him, the…

Architects Reveal Phoenix Arena Vision for Blackpool

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Architects at Carters Building Consultancy have revealed concept designs for a major new arena at the Blackpool Central regeneration site. The independently developed proposal, named “The Phoenix Arena”, sets out a vision for a large-scale cultural and performance venue that could act as a catalyst for town centre renewal while creating a striking new civic landmark. A concept mockup of the proposed ‘Phoenix Arena’ in Blackpool Central. The Preston-based practice confirmed that the concept work was carried out at no public expense and is intended to encourage discussion about the long-term future of the site. At this stage, the proposal…