The report, by Liz Meek, Regional Director of the Government Office for the North West, was commissioned by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears to measure progress against the recommendations of the Blackpool Task Force published last year.
The Task Force was chaired by Bryan Gray, Chair of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and included representatives from the Government Office for the North West, Blackpool Council, the urban regeneration company ReBlackpool and national regeneration agency English Partnerships.
Earlier this week ReBlackpool appointed Sir Howard Bernstein as its new chair to help drive forward the delivery and implementation of the Blackpool Masterplan
Key initiatives include:
- Government Office for the North West working with partners including the Northwest Development Agency to broaden Blackpool’s appeal to a wider range of visitors.
- Government investment of £35 million through English Partnerships to be delivered by ReBlackpool. Consideration is being given to replacing some sea front by mixed developments including hotel, residential, commercial and retail.
- ReBlackpools blueprint for the creation of a business district is forging ahead through the £220 million Talbot Gateway development.
- Blackpool and Fylde College is planning £90 million relocation to the town centre.
- The NWDA, through ReBlackpool, and the Higher Education Funding Council are funding a £10 million development of higher education with Blackpool and Fylde College
