Blackpool Regeneration and ReBlackpool (Blackpool Urban Regeneration Company)
Ever since the railways placed it within easy reach of the masses, Blackpool's reputation as the country's leading holiday destination was assured. Each summer, when the factories shut down for a week, hundreds of thousands of ordinary working class families would set off in search of an extraordinary time. And they found it - on sandy beaches, along spacious promenades, in lively music halls, and on top of a Tower that never failed to astonish.
As Blackpool's popularity grew so did its ambition. Eager to capitalise on its, by now, national reputation as a premier hotspot, guest houses and holiday cottages mushroomed, followed by a plethora of major developments such as the Illuminations, Pleasure Beach, Zoo and tramway system. All resulting in the Blackpool we know today - an action-packed coastal resort that still manages to capture the imagination even after all these years.
However, it's not the past that concerns ReBlackpool. Although our roots do start there.
Back in February 2005, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister approved the establishment of an Urban Regeneration Company for Blackpool. Funded by and working closely with the North West Development Agency (NWDA) and Blackpool Council, that company is otherwise known as ReBlackpool. Our vision is this:
To create a year-round economy that delivers a totality of experience focussed around quality at all levels and at all scales in product, environment and service. The imperative is to deliver a range of world-class facilities that responds to the dynamics of the leisure market, while delivering unparalleled economic and social improvements to the residents of Blackpool.
In short, we have been tasked with planting the foundations for sustainable regeneration and the creation of a world-class visitor destination. 2009 is our completion date target, up until which time we aim to remodel and rebuild the seafront (Central Seafront project), prepare and release key town centre and seafront sites for development (Talbot Gateway), obtain the UK's sole regional casino licence (Casino & Conference Quarter project), and forge strategic partnerships with inward developers and investors.
With some 30% of the resort's core earmarked for radical development, it promises to be a monumental not to mention demanding challenge for ReBlackpool. Still, there'll be plenty of time for fun and games later on. We'll make sure of that.
Download the Taskforce report
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