May 2024

Plans have been submitted for a new £45m office development in Blackpool’s Talbot Gateway.

Full planning permission is being sought for a 52,950 sq ft office building off Talbot Road, which would bring over 1,000 additional employees into Blackpool town centre.

The land, on the site of the former Apollo 2000 store, sits within the boundary of the Talbot Gateway development around Blackpool North train station and will bring an additional economic benefit to the town centre.

Blackpool Council and its development partner Muse are in advanced discussions with an organisation that wishes to develop and occupy a new office within the town centre.

This office would be the fifth phase of the £350m Talbot Gateway development, which is bringing over 8,000 workers and students into Blackpool town centre.

Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Levelling Up (Place) at Blackpool Council, said: “This is another major step forward in our plans to make Blackpool better and boost our local economy.

“The area around the train station was previously a desolate area in desperate need of regeneration. Over the last ten years we have regenerated it into a desirable location for businesses looking for quality office space on the Fylde coast. Our initial ambition and investment to build the earlier phases of the Talbot Gateway has led us to be in this position where more organisations are approaching us to help them move their jobs into the town centre.

“In turn, that has a huge potential for the private sector to continue to invest in Blackpool, creating more opportunities for business and creating more year-round, well-paid jobs for local people”

Alan McBride, Technical Director at Muse, said: “The fifth phase of Talbot Gateway will provide a further catalyst for Blackpool’s renaissance, helping to spur additional economic growth in the town by delivering yet more future-proofed workspace to benefit business in the region.

“Our long-standing partnership with Blackpool Council has already played a pivotal role in the regeneration of the town, and this development would mark yet another notable staging point on the journey towards reframing this iconic seaside destination.”

Phase one, including new Grade A offices, Sainsbury’s supermarket and an upgraded 650 space multi-storey car park, was completed in 2014. Phase two, a new 144 bed Holiday Inn hotel and Marco Pierre White New York Italian restaurant opened on 1 May 2024. A tramway extension, interchange with the train station and surrounding retail units are due to open next month.

Phase three, a Civil Service Hub office for over 3,000 government workers is under construction and expected to open in 2025, while planning consent has been granted for a Multiversity campus for Blackpool and the Fylde College in phase four, bringing up to 3,000 more students and staff into the area.

The Talbot Gateway is a sustainable development regenerating the heart of Blackpool around the main train station, which currently receives two million passengers per year, with the number expected to rise as new developments are completed.

The site is accessible via train, tram and bus, as well as a 650-space car park off Talbot Road. Plans for an additional car park at the corner of Church Street and King Street will be submitted later this year.

For more information on regeneration plans to make Blackpool better.

The Talbot Gateway continues to offer options for private businesses to invest, with development opportunities around the area, as well as retail opportunities in and around the new tramway interchange.

The Holiday Inn Blackpool has opened its doors to its first guests, as part of the second phase of the £350m regeneration of the Talbot Gateway.

The Holiday Inn Blackpool, managed by RBH Hospitality Management, is council owned and is part of the wider regeneration project, Talbot Gateway, developed by Muse Places in partnership with Blackpool Council.

The development is conveniently placed off the side of the train station, offering a central hub for both business and leisure guests arriving in Blackpool.

The hotel sits above an improved underpass connecting passengers from Blackpool North train station with a new tram stop and extension connecting to the Blackpool tramway along the Promenade. The new tram extension and underpass will open in mid-June.

In addition, retail units around the underpass are currently available to lease.

The wider Talbot Gateway programme is regenerating the town centre, by bringing 8,000 professional workers and students to the area in the coming years.

Coronation Street actor Jack P Shepherd, who has been coming to Blackpool since he was a child and says the town will always have a very special place in his heart, was there to cut the official ribbon to signal the opening of Holiday Inn Blackpool.

He said: “It was a real honour to be here today to meet everybody and open the new Holiday Inn. Who doesn’t love Blackpool? – it is a very special place and such a fun place.”

Jack joined staff from the hotel in the ribbon cutting ceremony, including General Manager, Mark Winter.

Mark said: “What a day it’s been opening our doors to all our new guests, with help from Corrie legend Jack P Shepherd who has added a real sense of occasion to the day. “The 144 hotel rooms and Marco’s New York Italian restaurant look fantastic – there’s a cool bar vibe where you really can feel like you’re in Ibiza! We can’t wait to welcome families, business travellers and food fanatics too – there really is something for everyone. “Here’s hoping for a wonderful summer season in Blackpool.”

The hotel and restaurant received almost 4,000 applications for the 70 roles available – showing how keen people are to work in the town. And the team has given 97% of all posts to local people in Blackpool.

Alan McBride, Technical Director at Muse, said: “The opening of Blackpool’s Holiday Inn realises a significant component of the Talbot Gateway scheme to the town and its wider regeneration.

“Alongside the new Marco Pierre White New York Italian restaurant, and situated next to Blackpool North train station, the hotel forms a critical part of our shared vision to deliver an even brighter Blackpool, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the town’s economy over the coming years.”

Blackpool Council, alongside Muse, has already developed the 125,000 sq ft Number One Bickerstaffe Square council office, a Sainsbury’s supermarket and a refurbished 650-space multi-storey car park, alongside extensive public spaces for the community to enjoy.

The third phase of the Talbot Gateway regeneration includes a new seven storey, 215,000 sq ft sustainable office building which will bring over 3,000 civil service workers into the area when it opens in 2025, while land is currently being acquired ahead of phase four, a new £65m Multiversity educational campus which will also attract up to 3,000 more staff and students to the area.