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Blackpool has gained renown as a lesbian and gay destination (see Gay Blackpool), with clubs such as the Flamingo Club, Mardi Gras Bar, the Flying Handbag pub, and many gay-run hotels and guest-houses [3], with some catering exclusively for the gay community. These tend to be inland, nearer to the railway station "Blackpool North" than to the sea. There is also the world famous drag cabaret burlesque show bar, Funny Girls, (who have performed on television and for royalty), alongside the Flamingo in the building that was formerly the Odeon Cinema; the building retains many of its Art Deco features.[16]
[edit] Future
Blackpool is continually striving to improve its position within today's tourist industry. One controversial proposal, which had the involvement of the local council, was to transform Blackpool into a casino resort along the lines of Las Vegas and Atlantic City, making it the centre point of gambling in the UK. However, Manchester was unexpectedly selected for the initial trial by the Government's Casinos Advisory Panel.[17] Since this decision, Blackpool's council and MPs have lobbied Parliament extensively, claiming their bid was misunderstood. The local newspaper, the Blackpool Gazette, sent a petition signed by over 11,500 local residents and visitors demanding the decision be reconsidered. On 29 March 2007, the Advisory Panel's recommendations were approved by the House of Commons, but rejected by the House of Lords, meaning the bill must now be reconsidered by parliament.[18] This has led many in the town to feel that Blackpool has been given a "second chance" to prove its' case, and as of April 2007, the town's representatives are still heavily lobbying parliament to award the casino to Blackpool.
Other future projects include a £500 m scheme to build Storm City a proposed multi-themed indoor entertainment complex on a 30 acre site between Rigby Road and Central Drive.[19][20] Storm City would house:
- A 12,000 seated Arena
- Four World Class hotels
- Shopping areas
- Five themed entertainment areas
- Rooftop gardens
- Blackpool's own version of the London Eye.
In March 2007 Blackpool Council signed up to a three month deal to work exclusively with the developers of Storm City.[21][22]
A second scheme, which is primarily aimed at the local population, but will also benefit those holidaymakers travelling to the town by rail, named Talbot Gateway would be a £285 m Civic Quarter, for which International project management specialist AMEC has been chosen to transform what is at present a rundown area around Blackpool North railway station into a what Blackpool Council hope will be a world class gateway with new office and retail space as well as a public square, dubbed the Talbot Plaza. The development would be 'wrapped' around Blackpool North railway station so that rail passengers arrive at street level into the new plaza with views down to the seafront, making their arrival at Blackpool a much more pleasant experience that at present. The regeneration company behind much of the towns current and future development, ReBlackpool are working with Blackpool Council and AMEC to sort out the planning application.[23]
[edit] Landmarks & places of interest
Blackpool boasts some important landmarks, most of which appeared originally as part of the flourishing tourist industry.
[edit] Major attractions
Twin Climbing Towers, Blackpool Central
- Blackpool Tower, opened in 1894; it has been a dominant landmark of the Blackpool skyline since that time. Inspired by the Eiffel Tower of Paris, France, it is 158 metres (518 ft 9 in) tall. Beneath the tower is a complex of leisure facilities, entertainment venues and restaurants, including the world famous Tower Ballroom and Tower Circus.
- North Pier - The northernmost of Blackpool's three piers. It includes a small shopping arcade, a small tramway and the North Pier Theatre toward the end of the pier. The pier end also used to have a helicopter pad, but this was damaged at Christmas 1997 by a windstorm and it collapsed into the Irish Sea.
- South Pier - The southernmost pier. Almost directly opposite the Pleasure Beach, it houses a theme park.
- The Winter Gardens is a large entertainment and conference venue in the town centre. Includes the Opera House (one of the largest theatres in Europe), Pavilion Theatre, Empress Ballroom, Spanish Hall, Arena and Olympia.
[edit] Other attractions
- Beach - Stretching along the whole seafront. The main natural attraction for tourists.
- Funny Girls - World Famous Drag Cabaret Burlesque Showbar, located on the North Shore.
- Blackpool Zoo - provides a home to over 1500 animals from all over the world.
- Grand Theatre - Victorian theatre designed by Frank Matcham. Also now known as the National Theatre of Variety.
- Great Promenade Show - Series of modern artwork installations along Blackpool's South Promenade. Includes the Blackpool High Tide Organ an unusual musical monument which uses the movements of the sea to make music.
- Louis Tussaud's Waxworks - Waxwork Museum, featuring models of celebrities, musicians, sports personalities and the famous Chamber of Horrors.
- Doctor Who Exhibition The Biggest Doctor Who Exhibition in the UK - contains props and costumes from the long-running BBC TV series, including some from recently aired programmes.
- Sandcastle Water Park (now known as Waterworld) - An indoor swimming pool with slides and waves. Next to the South Pier.
- Stanley Park - Grade II Historic Park & Gardens with Golf Course, Cricket Club, Sports Arena, Lake, Art Deco Restaurant, Model Village, Gardens, etc.
- Odeon Cinema - Situated on a multi-complex site, on Rigby Road, with 10 screens.
- The Syndicate Superclub, holds just over 5,000 people.
[edit] Tall Structures in Blackpool
[edit] Transport
Blackpool International Airport operates regular charter and scheduled flights throughout the UK and Europe. The airport is actually just over the borough boundary into Fylde Borough, although a proposal to reorganise Blackpool's borders would see the airport incorporated into Blackpool Borough. This airport which was formerly known as Blackpool Squires Gate Airport, is one of the oldest in the UK and has been in use as an airfield since 1909. Airlines serving Blackpool include Jet2 and Ryanair.
In 1927 the local council announced that an aerodrome would be built near Stanley Park, which would become Blackpool Stanley Park Airport offering flights to the Isle of Man for £1.80.[32] The airport was officially opened by then British Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald in 1931.[33] However, with the opening of Squires Gate Airport a decision was made in 1936 by the Ministry of Transport to close the airport at Stanley Park. The airport closed a year later.[32] During the Second World War the airport was used as a Royal Air Force training station, known as No. 3 School of Technical Training. The land that the airport stood on now covers Blackpool Zoo as well as a hotel and golf course. The hangars from the old airport are still in use as the elephant enclosure for the zoo.[33]
[edit] Bus and coach
Blackpool's Talbot Road bus station and multi-storey car park.
Busses and coaches are operated by:
Facilities include -
- Blackpool Talbot Road Bus Station which was the main town centre bus station, but is now used by Stagecoach and National Express services, and is officially called Blackpool National Express Coach Station. Blackpool Transport stopped using the bus station in the early 2000s after a disagreement with Blackpool Council regarding the state of the bus station building. Blackpool Transport now use Market Street and Corporation Street as their bus interchange which is located in the heart of the town centre.
- Blackpool Lonsdale Road Coach Station the main coach station in Blackpool, is located in South Shore. This is mainly used by independent coach operators and also by some National Express services. The coach station has a cafe, shop and toilet facilities but is in a state of disrepair.
[edit] Railway
Train operators serving Blackpool include:
Stations in the town are, or were:
Blackpool once had two railway termini with a total of over 30 platforms, mainly used by excursion traffic in the summer. Blackpool Central, close to Blackpool Tower, was closed in 1964, whilst Blackpool North was largely demolished and rebuilt as a smaller facility. The route of the former excursion line into Blackpool Central is now used as a link road from the M55 motorway to the town centre. The line into Blackpool via Lytham St Annes now has a station serving Blackpool Pleasure Beach but terminates at Blackpool South station. The line into North station is now the more important.
The M55 motorway links the town to the national motorway network.
A double-decker balloon tram on the promenade at Bispham
-
Blackpool tramway runs from Starr Gate in Blackpool to Fleetwood and is the only surviving first-generation tramway in the United Kingdom (UK).[34] The tramway dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is run by Blackpool Transport as part of the Metro Coastlines, owned by Blackpool Council. The tramway runs for 11 miles and carries 6,500,000 passengers each year.[35]
The tramway was for a long time the only working tramway in the United Kingdom (UK) outside of museums. It was also the UK's first electric system. However there are now a number of other tramways including Manchester Metrolink, South London Tramlink and Sheffield Supertram.
On 1 February 2008 it was announced that the Government had agreed to a joint Blackpool Transport and Blackpool Council bid for funding toward the total upgrade of the track. The government will contribute £60.3M of the total £85.3 m cost. Both Blackpool Council and Lancashire County Council will each provide about £12.5M. The Government's decision means that the entire length of the tramway from Starr Gate to Fleetwood will be upgraded and also sixteen state-of-the-art trams will replace the current fleet.[36]
[edit] Filmography
View from the tower, looking south
- For a comprehensive list of Blackpool in television and film, see here.
The resort is featured in the 1934 film Sing as We Go, starring Gracie Fields, as well as other cinema and TV productions, including Hindle Wakes (1952) and Funny Bones (1995) starring Lee Evans and Oliver Platt and directed by St. Annes born Peter Chelsom, as well as The Parole Officer (2001) starring Steve Coogan.
The Japanese film Shall We Dance (1996) closes with a scene at the World Ballroom Dancing Championships in Blackpool. All the hair styling for the film was completed by Blackpool born and bred hairstylist Eileen Clough, who has been in the trade since the 1960s. In the Hollywood remake of the film (2004) Blackpool is mentioned but not shown. The remake was also directed by Peter Chelsom.
Blackpool is the setting for Bhaji on the Beach (1993) directed by Gurinder Chadha. The film Like It Is (IMDB) (1998) directed by Paul Oremland was also partly filmed in Blackpool. The opening scenes were filmed in the Flamingo. The 2005 television comedy/thriller series Funland revolved around the fictionalized, seedier aspects of Blackpool.
Rick Steves' Europe introduced the viewer to the resort, explaining the history and its attractions.[citation needed]
The town of Blackpool also features heavily in the BBC television serial Blackpool starring David Morrissey, Sarah Parish and David Tennant, first broadcast in 2005 along with the one-off follow-up Viva Blackpool, broadcast in June 2006.
The Jimi Hendrix - Experience video and DVD features concert footage of Hendrix's performance at Blackpool's Opera House in 1967.[37]
In 1964, the Rolling Stones were banned indefinitely from performing in the town after a riot broke out during their concert at the Empress Ballroom. Forty-four years later, however, the ban was lifted.[38]
Newspapers that cover the Blackpool area include the Blackpool Gazette which is the daily evening newspaper covering the Fylde Coast area, known locally as The Gazette. They also publish a free weekly newspaper, the Blackpool Reporter, which is delivered to householders in Blackpool. The Gazette also publishes a daily online version in Polish, Witryana Polska (Polish Gazette) to cater for the local Polish community.[39] The Blackpool Citizen is a free weekly newspaper covering the Fylde Coast area, which is delivered to householders. The Lancashire Evening Post is a daily evening newspaper covering the county of Lancashire.
Local radio is provided by Radio Wave, a commercial radio station based on Mowbray Drive in Blackpool which covers the Fylde Coast area. The radio station broadcasts on 96.5FM and is owned by media company UTV. Blackpool also falls in the coverage area of BBC Radio Lancashire, Rock FM, Magic 999, Smooth FM 100.4 and 105.4 Century FM.
Television is provided by Granada - the ITV franchise holder for the North West region, which covers Blackpool and BBC North West the regional BBC station for the North West region, which covers Blackpool.
[edit] Boxing
The Tower Circus Arena held regular professional boxing shows for a number of years. However, for many years boxing shows have been few and far between in the town, with events being promoted on an irregular basis including one in 2005 at the Hilton hotel. However, on 16 February 2008 professional boxing returned to the 2,000 capacity Tower Circus Arena.[40] The show is to be filmed by Manchester television company Channel M for screening on 1 March.[41]
[edit] Cricket
Blackpool Cricket Club. They last won the League Cup in 2005, and were National Champions in 1990. Also between 1973-1996, they won the Lancashire Cup on eight occasions and were League Champions fourteen times. Their home is in the grounds of Stanley Park.
[edit] Football
Blackpool Football Club, also sometimes known as the Seasiders or the Tangerines, is the town's professional football club. Their most notable achievement was winning the 1953 FA Cup Final.
The club's stadium is Bloomfield Road, which is currently being redeveloped and modernised in stages.
Several professional footballers were either born in the town or have lived there. These include:
- Jimmy Armfield - former captain of Blackpool and England; still lives in the town.
- Dave Durie - born in the town; played over 300 league games for Blackpool in the 1950s and '60s.
- George Eastham - born in the town.
- Herbert Jones - born in the town; later won six caps for England.
- Matty Kay - born in the town; youngest player to make Blackpool F.C.'s first team.
- Gavin McCann - born in the town.
- Joe Smith - Blackpool F.C.'s longest-serving manager; lived and died in the town.
- For other people associated with Blackpool, see here.
Other football clubs in Blackpool:
[edit] Rugby League
Blackpool Panthers Rugby League Football Club. Their home ground is Woodlands Memorial Ground in the neighbouring town of Lytham St Annes, which is also the home to Fylde Rugby Union Football Club
[edit] Rugby Union
Blackpool Rugby Union Football Club. Their home ground is Norbreck Rugby Ground.
[edit] Religion
Christianity
Blackpool has a number of Christian churches. As well as eighteen Church of England and ten Roman Catholic churches there are also four Baptist, one Bible-Pattern Church Fellowship, one Christadelphian two Congregationalist, ten Methodist, one Elim Pentecostal, one Christian Scientist, one Unitarian and three United Reformed churches as well as two Salvation Army halls.[42]
Other christian groups in the town include Blackpool Christian Centre, Blackpool Community Church, Kings Christian Centre, Liberty Church, part of the LGBT Christian Community connected to the Metropolitan Community Church and New Life Community Church.[42]
Buddhism
The Keajra Kadampa Buddhist Centre is a residential Buddhist centre located in North Shore. A member of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union.[42]
Islam
The Central Mosque and Islamic Community Centre is located on Revoe Street providing prayer facilities for local Muslims as well as a community centre with kitchen and classrooms where Islamic education is taught to children.[42]
Hinduism
Fylde Coast Hindu Society meet on the last Sunday each month.[43][42]
Humanist
The Lancashire Secular Humanist group, based in Blackpool.[42]
Jainism
There is a local Jain group in Blackpool.[42]
Judaism
The Blackpool Reform Jewish Congregation is located on Raikes Parade with a synagogue hall and classroom facilities; a purpose built sanctuary hall and assembly room. Blackpool United Hebrew Congregation is located on Leamington Road with a synagogue hall and community centre.[42]
Mormonism
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Blackpool chapel.[42]
Religious Society of Friends
The Quaker Friends meeting house is located on Raikes Parade with two meeting rooms.[42]
Sikhism
There is a local group in Blackpool to cater for the small local Sikh community.[42]
Spiritualism
Albert Road Spiritualist Church is located on Albert Road.[42]
Blackpool Faith Forum
The Blackpool Faith Forum was established in 2001 in conjunction with Blackpool Council to provide interfaith dialogue between the various faith groups in the town, to raise awareness of the various faiths in the town and to promote a multifaith community. It is linked to the Interfaith Network of UK.[44][45] In February 2007 a youth forum was established, Blackpool Faith Forum for Youth (BIFFY).[46]
[edit] Shipwrecks
-
The coastline around Blackpool has been a graveyard to a number of vessels over the years. The most recent occurrence has been the grounding of the Riverdance in January, 2008. Famously, in 1897, HMS Foudroyant, Nelson's flagship prior to HMS Victory, was grounded close to North Pier in a storm.
[edit] Areas, districts and estates
[edit] Notable people
Blackpool has been the birthplace and home to many famous people, including:
- Ian Anderson - musician Jethro Tull
- Jo Appleby - soprano singer with Amici Forever
- Pat Astley - actress and porn star
- David Atherton - conductor
- David Ball - musician (Soft Cell)
- Zoë Ball - English TV and radio presenter
- Ronnie Baxter - Darts player
- Lennie Bennett - comedian
- Charlie Cairoli - famous clown, born in Milan but became famous in Blackpool where lived from 1939 to his death in 1980
- George Carman - barrister
- Frank Carson - comedian
- Violet Carson - Coronation Street actress who played the part of Ena Sharples.
- Ronnie Clayton - British Featherweight Boxing Champion 1947-54, twice Lonsdale Belt winner
- Jimmy Clitheroe - British comedy actor, lived most of his life in North Shore, Blackpool, where he died in 1973
- Jenna-Louise Coleman - Emmerdale actress (Jasmine Thomas)
- Alistair Cooke - journalist and commentator
- Steve Croft - cricketer
- Raine Davison - actress
- John Evan - musician Jethro Tull
- Dan Forshaw - Jazz musician
- Jeffrey Hammond - musician Jethro Tull
- Roy Harper - musician
- Barney Harwood - TV presenter
- Edwin Hughes - ("Balaclava Ned") (1830-1927), the last survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava in the Crimea lived in Blackpool and is buried there.
- John Inman - actor
- Augustus Kenderdine - landscape and portrait painter
- Cynthia Lennon - wife of John Lennon
- Jacqueline Leonard - actress
- Ian Levine - songwriter
- Syd Little - comedian, Little and Large
- Brian London - boxer
- Joe Longthorne - singer
- Chris Lowe - musician - (Pet Shop Boys)
- Nick McCarthy - musician (Franz Ferdinand)
- Stacey McClean - singer S Club 8
- Vic McGlynn - radio presenter
- John Mahoney - actor (Frasier)
- Pauline Moran - actress
- Janet Munro - actress
- Graham Nash - (The Hollies, Crosby, Stills & Nash (and Young))
- Bernadette Nolan - singer and actress
- Coleen Nolan - singer and TV presenter
- Chris Patten - politician and former Hong Kong governor
- Daryl Peach - World Pool Champion
- Jodie Prenger - singer and actress
- Maddy Prior - singer (Steeleye Span)
- Peter Purves - TV presenter
- William Regal - (WWE wrestler)
- John Robb - musician (Goldblade), presenter, music critic
- Nikki Sanderson - actress Coronation Street
- Michael Smith - Nobel Prize-winning chemist
- Robert Smith - musician (The Cure)
- Andy Summers - musician (The Police)
- Frank Swift - footballer (Manchester City and England)
- David Thewlis - actor (Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter film series)
- Ricky Tomlinson - actor (Jim Royle in The Royle Family)
- Roger Uttley - rugby union player
- Daniel Whiston - ice skater (Dancing on Ice)
- Shelly Woods - elite wheelchair athlete
[edit] Twin town
Blackpool is twinned with:
[edit] References
- , http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=276900&c=macclesfield&d=13&e=13&g=428795&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1206541359765&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1812
- , About Blackpool BHGHA
- , Who were the Setantii?. amounderness.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
- , "Blackpool History", Blackpool Tourist Office. Retrieved on 2007-03-18.
- , Regional Gross Value AddedPDF (1.79 MiB), pp.240-253.
- , Components may not sum to totals due to rounding
- , includes hunting and forestry
- , includes energy and construction
- , includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured
- , BBC NEWS | Business | TVR to move car production abroad
- , Conference destinations: Blackpool | Politics | guardian.co.uk
- , Alan Cowell, Postcard From Ailing British Coasts: Wish You Were Here, The New York Times, April 12, 2007.
- , BBC NEWS | UK | England | Lancashire | Blackpool: 'It's like someone has died'
- , Holidays - Table 2
- , Dr Who to switch on Blackpool lights
- , Blackpool Gay Scene Guide
- , BBC NEWS | Politics | Manchester wins super-casino race
- , BBC NEWS | Politics | Lords scupper super-casino plan
- , Storm over theme park plan - Blackpool Today
- , Storm City: The public's plan B - Blackpool Today
- , Nothing here to rival Storm City - Blackpool Today
- , Council's exclusive Storm City 'deal' - Blackpool Today
- , £285 m plan for Blackpool gateway unveiled - Blackpool Today
- , Welcome to Blackpool Tower and Circus Official Website - five floors of family fun!
- , Pepsi Max Big One (Pleasure Beach, Blackpool)
- , Tallest skyscrapers / Emporis.com
- , Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Ice Blast
- , Tallest skyscrapers / Emporis.com
- , Tallest skyscrapers / Emporis.com
- , Tallest skyscrapers / Emporis.com
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- , a b History of Blackpool Airport. Blackpool International Airport. Retrieved on 2007-10-05.
- , a b Control Towers: RAF Stanley Park Airfield. Control Towers. Retrieved on 2007-10-05.
- , Blackpool trams. thetrams.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
- , "Anger over tram network", Fleetwood Weekly News, 2004-03-26. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
- , Parkinson, Shelagh. "m-for-trams.3734967.jp Blackpool gets £85 m for trams", Blackpool Gazette, 2008-02-01. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
- , Experience Jimi Hendrix (2001) (V) - Filming locations
- , "Resort lifts 44-year Stones ban" - BBC News
- , "Polish Gazette in the TV spotlight", Blackpool Gazette, 2006-11-13. Retrieved on 2007-10-05.
- , "Countdown to knockout night", Blackpool Gazette, 2008-01-25. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
- , "Ring masters", Blackpool Gazette, 2008-01-15. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
- , a b c d e f g h i j k l Blackpool Churches/Faith Groups. Blackpool 4 Me. Retrieved on 2008-01-18.
- , Ettridge, Lisa. "Hindu gifts boost cause", Blackpool Gazette, 2007-08-25. Retrieved on 2008-01-19.
- , Welcome to the Faith Forum homepage. Blackpool 4 Me. Retrieved on 2008-01-18.
- , "Group to put its faith on the web", Blackpool Gazette, 2006-12-01. Retrieved on 2008-01-19.
- , Butler, Heather. "Youngsters have faith in reducing ignorance", Blackpool Gazette, 2007-02-19. Retrieved on 2008-01-19.
[edit] External links
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