Mr B’s and Golden Mile Amusements

Mr B’s Golden Mile Centre opened its doors in 1968, marking a new era for Blackpool’s amusement scene as the town’s first purpose-built arcade. Prior to this, most arcades were makeshift structures—canopies or converted sheds attached to the fronts of old hotels and guesthouses. Located on Central Promenade, Mr B’s was a modern two-story building that boasted a variety of rides, including Waltzers and Dodgems, alongside a wide selection of slot machines and pinball machines, making it a major attraction for both locals and visitors. Tragically, on 2 July 2009, the arcade was devastated by a fire that completely destroyed the building, leaving the site in ruins. For nearly two years, the location remained closed as it was rebuilt and redesigned. Finally, on 1 May 2011, the arcade reopened under a new name—Golden Mile Amusements—restoring a beloved part of Blackpool’s entertainment landscape. However, the story of this iconic location didn’t end there…

Photo of Mr B’s provided by Alamy

In a major £40 million deal, Blackpool Council acquired the Golden Mile Amusements building, along with Blackpool Tower and the Winter Gardens. This move was part of a larger strategy to revitalise and take control of key attractions in the town. Following the sale, the arcade, which had previously operated next to the Sea Life Centre, found itself needing to relocate. With its former location now under council ownership, Crown Leisure, the company behind Golden Mile Amusements, sought a new venue.

The result was the opening of Blackpool Amusements, a rebranded arcade now located in the former Woolworths building on Bank Hey Street, which had previously been home to Poundland. Despite the relocation and rebranding, both Golden Mile Amusements and Blackpool Amusements continued to operate at the time of the Blackpool Timeline launch in 2024. The images below showcase the updated Golden Mile Amusements. Click to see photos of Blackpool Amusements.