BLACKPOOL is transforming its fortunes with soaring visitors and a £90million regeneration boost.
Despite being one of the UK's poorest and most deprived resorts the famous Lancashire town is experiencing a resurgence.
Earlier this month Blackpool Council unveiled the first phase of the £90million Government funding plan to demolish about 400 properties no longer fit for purpose and replace them with up to 280 bigger homes.
Now, new data show 21.5million tourists visited in 2023 - a 6% rise on 20.3million in 2022.
Vegas
The figures also showed full-time jobs in tourism and hospitality hit 23,419 - up 5.3% from the previous year.
Council leader Lynn Williams said: "Blackpool welcomed large crowds thanks to a diverse programme of major events, the launch of new attractions, a two-month extension of the autumn illuminations season, and the expansion of the hugely successful Christmas by the sea village.
"All of these factors, combined with strong partnerships and impactful marketing, reinforce our commitment to keeping Blackpool as the UK's most visited seaside resort and firmly establishing it as a thriving year-round destination." In 2023, the illuminations switch-on returned to the Promenade for the first time in three years with singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor flicking the famous switch.
A multi-media marketing campaign featured "resort ambassador" Nigel C Gull, a seagull puppet voiced by comedian Johnny Vegas.
Other investments in 2...
Despite being one of the UK's poorest and most deprived resorts the famous Lancashire town is experiencing a resurgence.
Earlier this month Blackpool Council unveiled the first phase of the £90million Government funding plan to demolish about 400 properties no longer fit for purpose and replace them with up to 280 bigger homes.
Now, new data show 21.5million tourists visited in 2023 - a 6% rise on 20.3million in 2022.
Vegas
The figures also showed full-time jobs in tourism and hospitality hit 23,419 - up 5.3% from the previous year.
Council leader Lynn Williams said: "Blackpool welcomed large crowds thanks to a diverse programme of major events, the launch of new attractions, a two-month extension of the autumn illuminations season, and the expansion of the hugely successful Christmas by the sea village.
"All of these factors, combined with strong partnerships and impactful marketing, reinforce our commitment to keeping Blackpool as the UK's most visited seaside resort and firmly establishing it as a thriving year-round destination." In 2023, the illuminations switch-on returned to the Promenade for the first time in three years with singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor flicking the famous switch.
A multi-media marketing campaign featured "resort ambassador" Nigel C Gull, a seagull puppet voiced by comedian Johnny Vegas.
Other investments in 2...
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Daily Express (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 20, 2025