Blackpool Town Centre Forum originated from consultations and discussions between Blackpool Council, major and individual town centre retailers, Blackpool Police and various other stakeholders covering Blackpool town centre. Over a two year period, these initial consultations were headed by Robin Wood, the council’s Chief Officer for Executive Services. Chris Hurley, the then manager of Midland Bank, was to take on the Chairmanship of the Forum’s steering committee. The objective was to create a town centre management partnership to address the challenges facing the town centre in terms of retail and commercial decline, security, cleanliness and environmental issues, all highlighting the need to develop and implement a strategy aimed at revitalising and improving the town centre. It was set up as a limited company in 1996.
In November 1994, Nigel Hanson was appointed as the partnership’s Town Centre Manager, initially for a period of 3 years for which partnership funding had been provided and promised to support the appointment. During this period, one of his tasks was be to generate further support and funding to continue and expand the initiative. Shortly after its inception, the Forum was incorporated as a limited company which would facilitate the way it could implement the range of activities and projects it was to develop. One of the driving forces in seeking to improve the town centre’s attraction was to appeal to the local and regional residents to become increasingly involved with and use Blackpool town centre. On the basis of initial, extensive surveys carried out with Blackpool residents, and the town centre businesses, an Action plan was drawn up which would guide the programme of activities the partnership would develop and undertake.
Over the years, numerous initiatives were implemented such as the development and operation of retail and licensed trades radio link systems, the introduction of town centre wardens, the staging of festivals and events such as the annual ‘Puppet Up – the Blackpool festival of puppetry and visual theatre’ (which drew in the involvement of schools and colleges), the town centre loyalty card and regular media campaigns. In August 2005, under Nigel Hanson’s leadership and after extensive consultations with town centre businesses, organisations and other stakeholders, followed by a substantial vote in favour, Blackpool’s first Business Improvement District was created, covering the town centre. This was the first Business Improvement District created in the North West.
The Town Centre Forum produced a series of four leaflets promoting shopping and dining opportunities within Blackpool town centre.
In December 2007, Nigel Hanson retired but he continues to live on the Fylde coast, and has become a published crime fiction writer since 2020. His three books are available in local bookstores and online through the links below:
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