Blackpool reveals £300m entertainment complex plans

[Scarlett.]

https://mm.aiircdn.com/76/5c0a15e4923d3.jpeg

£300m leisure development includes VR experience, Roller-coaster diner, gaming zone and UK's first 'flying theatre.'

It is estimated that the development will attract 600,000 additional visitors a year with a combined annual spend of £75m.

It will also create around 1,000 new jobs.

The 17-acre development site, which currently includes one of Blackpool’s biggest surface car parks alongside the magistrates’ court building and the former police station, was once earmarked as the site of a Vegas-style super-casino.

The first major phase of the project will incorporate several key components including:

Enabling Work:

This will provide a new multi-storey car park with more than 1000 spaces replacing the existing open air car park as well as new coach drop off facilities.

The UK’s first Flying Theatre:

The attraction will provide an 'unparalleled flying sensation.'

The indoor theatre will be fully immersive with on-board special effects including wind, fog, water and scents, with state-of-the-art projection and surround sound.

https://mm.aiircdn.com/76/5c0a15a9920bf.jpeg

Virtual Reality Experience:

The most advanced 'VR' experience on an epic scale with free roam, multi-player capability, body tracking, and motion simulators for unmatched realism in game-play.

https://mm.aiircdn.com/76/5c0a15adc31c9.jpeg

Greatest Mysteries:

The world’s first multimedia exhibition of its type exploring extra-terrestrial influences on the great ancient civilisations.

A fully immersive educational and entertaining experience created with leading-edge technology.

https://mm.aiircdn.com/76/5c0a15a9a8663.jpeg

Adventure Land:

Expansive in door family entertainment centre incorporating a series of physical and mental challenges including free-fall hang gliding, rope courses, adventure trails and interactive climbing walls.

https://mm.aiircdn.com/76/5c0a15a59d1be.jpeg

Thrill & Gaming Zone:

Fully themed gaming zone, with thrill and family rides, arcade games, laser tag arena, bounce park and bumper cars.

https://mm.aiircdn.com/76/5c0a15ad5e2b2.jpeg

Alien Diner:

Themed bar and event restaurant concept with “roller coaster” service, hourly special effects shows and exploration tours.

https://mm.aiircdn.com/76/5c0a15a594385.jpeg

This first phase, due to open in Spring 2024, will be complemented by the development of an Artisan Food Hall accommodating up to 30 outlets and an event square incorporating a stage and video wall which will be used to host themed markets, open-air concerts and events.

A new 150-bedroom promenade hotel is also planned.

Phase Two will include apartments, further food and drink outlets, a second hotel comprising 250 bedrooms, with additional landscaped public open space.

Future phases to the southern end of the site will include further leisure attractions, residential apartments and a music venue and nightclub.

https://mm.aiircdn.com/76/5c0a15b21d324.jpeg

Cllr Blackburn added:

“I am delighted to be able to announce this hugely significant milestone in the redevelopment of the Central Station site. This really is a once in a generation opportunity that has the potential to alter the face of our town.”

“These new attractions are of ground-breaking international quality and their cutting edge technology will take Blackpool’s tourism offer to another level.

https://mm.aiircdn.com/76/5c0a15b58f718.jpeg

This looks brilliant, it's crazy how much Blackpool has changed in these past ten years, they seem to be making a real effort.

The site as it currently stands
https://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_700,f_auto,ar_3:2,q_auto:low,c_fill/if_h_lte_200,c_mfit,h_201/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/webimage/1.8246726.1479483221!/image/image.jpg

[Crimson Dynamo]

woo hoo


Love Blackpool

[Nicky91]

Blackpool, UK's very own Las Vegas :amazed:

[arista]

I bet the building costs will go up.
Delay it.

[Jack_]

I love Flight of Passage: Blackpool Edition

[Scarlett.]

I bet the building costs will go up.
Delay it.

I can see the first few phases definitely happening, I hope the latter stages happen too though

[Toy Soldier]

It sounds amazing but it will inevitably be ****.

[Glenn.]

I love Flight of Passage: Blackpool Edition

Tea

[hijaxers]

This looks brilliant, it's crazy how much Blackpool has changed in these past ten years, they seem to be making a real effort.

The site as it currently stands
https://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_700,f_auto,ar_3:2,q_auto:low,c_fill/if_h_lte_200,c_mfit,h_201/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/webimage/1.8246726.1479483221!/image/image.jpg

Are they planning a homeless hostel ?

[Oliver_W]

There's something about Blackpool and Great Yarmouth were no matter how much money is spent on something, it looks like pure tack.

Disclaimer - I love the area around GY, particularly Winterton!

[Underscore]

Nothing can save Blackpool.

[Beastie]

Blackpool is da bomb!

[Alf]

That's right, get our seaside's built up for Brexit Britain.

Make holiday's great again

[Nicky91]

That's right, get our seaside's built up for Brexit Britain.

Make holiday's great again

how :conf:


Blackpool has already been great with the large amount of tourism there each year

[Toy Soldier]

how :conf:


Blackpool has already been great with the large amount of tourism there each year

Have you ever been, Nicky? It's ****ing horrible. I mean it's interesting, sort of like a zoo, because it's so unique but it's like getting in a time machine to the 70's and everything is dirty and old.

It's marginally better since they cleaned up the front and built the steps - because you can sit down the bottom of the steps and the view is lovely (I sat there at sunset once with my wife and our eldest asleep in the buggy when she was just one year old :hee: ) BUT it's specifically lovely because you can't see Blackpool from the bottom... just the view along the beach and out to sea :joker:.

[Scarlett.]

There's quite a few projects happening atm, like the trams will soon go up to the area around North Station, which is getting a total revamp, there's a few regeneration projects happening along the promenade too, it's taking a while, but they are slowly getting rid of the more run down parts.