Blackpool arena plans not ruled out, council says

Blackpool Council insists it has not ruled out the prospect of an arena for the town, despite the proposals not being explicitly included in an update on its ambitious Blackpool Central proposals.

The council was responding to questioning about whether the proposals for the 20,000-seat amenity fitted in with its own Blackpool Central regenerations plans.

The Blackpool Central project is a major £300m leisure-led regeneration scheme on the former Central Railway Station site just off the Golden Mile.

Plans were delayed last year, however, following the collapse of the previous developer, Nikal Ltd.

Now the council is being recommended to find a new developer and investor.

The arena is not included in the plans, despite the announcement this year of a £20m government concept to explore the idea in the same Blackpool Central area.

A Blackpool Council spokesperson said: "We have never ruled out an arena as a potentially good option, and this has already been the subject of discussions with developers.

"The next stage is about identifying and selecting the right developer and investment partner, and that process must come before decisions are made on the specific details of any future development.

"It is also important that any proposal delivers year-round use and is commercially viable."

MP Chris Webb, who has supported the idea of an arena, previously said: "A modern arena would help bring major concerts, sporting events, exhibitions and conferences to Blackpool throughout the year, supporting local jobs and businesses in the process.

"As Blackpool prepares its bid to become UK City of Culture we should be thinking big about what our town can achieve."

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