Category: 2011

Establishment of Defence Business Services in Thornton-Cleveleys

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The Defence Business Services (DBS) building in Cleveleys wasn’t built as a single entity but rather evolved from existing structures. It was established on 4 July 2011, by merging several Ministry of Defence (MOD) executive agencies. Whilst the exact date of the physical building’s construction is not known to Blackpool Timeline, it is clear that the entity known as DBS was formed on that date.Defence Business Services (DBS) operates a facility in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire. The facility’s full address is: Tomlinson House, Norcross, Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 3WP. DBS provides a range of corporate services to the Ministry of Defence (MOD), including… Read more »

Danny Howard Wins BBC Radio 1 Role as Superstar DJ

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Danny Howard, born on 14 July 1987 in Blackpool, is a British DJ, dance music producer, and the current host of Radio 1’s Dance Party. He studied sport and exercise science at Edge Hill University, where he also began developing his career as a DJ. During his time at university, he held a residency at The Syndicate, one of the UK’s largest nightclubs, based in Blackpool. Following his studies, he spent three months DJing for Ministry of Sound in Egypt, gaining further experience in the industry. Howard’s breakthrough came in August 2011, when he won the BBC Radio 1 Superstar… Read more »

Anthony Cocker Becomes CEO of E.ON UK

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Anthony David Cocker, born on 26 April 1959 in the Borough of Fylde, is a prominent figure in the energy sector. He served as the chief executive of E.ON UK, one of the UK’s “Big Six” energy providers, and is also the chairman of Infinis Energy Management Limited. Cocker attended Kirkham Grammar School and has a younger brother. He married Madeleine Parker in September 1991 in Oxford, and the couple has two children: a son, born in November 2000, and a daughter, born in August 1998. They currently reside in Warwickshire. Cocker studied mathematics at Lincoln College, Oxford, where he… Read more »

Craig Parkinson in The Line of Duty

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Craig Parkinson was born on 11 March 1976 in Blackpool. He began acting at an early age in school plays. He studied at Blackpool and The Fylde College before moving to London aged 17 to attend the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Parkinson is 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) tall. In his youth, he lived in Camden and Crouch End before moving to Gloucestershire with his wife. He was married to actress Susan Lynch and they have a son but they separated in 2019. He has played Shaun in the E4 series Misfits, twins Jimmy and Johnny Kray in the… Read more »

Nikki Hesford Appears on Dragon’s Den

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Nikki Hesford appeared Dragon’s Den in 2011, with her fast fashion brand that made clothing and lingerie for bigger busted women. Nikki was born in October 1985 in Rochdale, the daughter of former rugby star Steve Hesford, who used to play for Warrington Wolves, and niece of former Blackpool goalie Iain Hesford. She left Rochdale and moved to Lancaster where she set up a lingerie and clothes business called Miss Fit UK. She exited this business in 2015 and now runs The Small Business Academy, a support hub for the next generation of entrepreneurs to tap into trustworthy advice and… Read more »

Moor Park Health & Leisure Centre

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Moor Park Health & Leisure Centre was opened in June of 2011. The facility is situated in the heart of Bispham in the North of the town and brings together a range of different services all under one roof. In addition to all our leisure facilities listed below, Moor Park is also home to a Library, Cafe, and numerous health services. • 25m 6-Lane Swimming Pool • Family Learner Pool • Gym • Exercise Studio • Indoor Cycling Studio • Feel Good Factory • Sports Hall • Family Swimming Pool Changing Rooms • Health & Fitness Changing Rooms • Outdoor Basketball… Read more »

Newton Drive Health Centre

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Newton Drive Health Centre in Blackpool has been a cornerstone of community healthcare since its establishment in 1950. In 1982, it merged with the Yates Street Practice, pooling resources to better serve the growing local population. In August 2011, the practice moved to a modern, purpose-built facility on Newton Drive. This new centre was designed to accommodate the needs of contemporary healthcare, featuring advanced infrastructure and spaces optimised for efficient medical care. With over 8,000 registered patients, the practice offers a comprehensive range of services, including chronic disease management, preventative care, travel vaccinations, and smoking cessation support. Specialised clinics are… Read more »

The Blackpool Tower Dungeon

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The Blackpool Tower Dungeon offers an exciting and immersive experience that takes visitors on a journey through the dark and often grisly history of the region. Located beneath the iconic Blackpool Tower, this unique attraction combines live actor-led shows, thrilling special effects, and interactive exhibits to bring historical events to life in a way that’s both entertaining and spine-tingling. The Dungeon features a series of themed areas, each telling a different chapter of Blackpool’s past, from medieval tortures to the infamous Lancashire witch trials. Visitors can expect to encounter characters from history, including notorious criminals, witches, and characters from local… Read more »

Nickelodeon Land at the Pleasure Beach

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In 2011, the Thompson family and Blackpool Pleasure Beach entered into a landmark agreement with Viacom, the owners of the global Nickelodeon brand, to transform a section of the park into Nickelodeon Land. This 4-acre, £10 million redevelopment was aimed at creating a fun-filled, immersive experience for younger visitors. It replaced the former children’s area, Beaver Creek, which had closed in 2010. The new area was not only a fresh take on the park’s family offerings but also included several major updates to existing attractions. For example, the park’s Rollercoaster was completely rethemed and reopened as Nickelodeon Streak, while the… Read more »

Madame Tussauds

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Madame Tussauds Blackpool is a celebrated wax museum that opened its doors in 2011. It took over from the former Louis Tussauds Waxworks and now showcases more than 80 lifelike wax figures of celebrities, TV and film stars, athletes, and musicians. The museum’s most recent addition, as of April 2024, is a wax figure of Alison Hammond. In March 2010, Blackpool Council and Leisure Parcs struck a major deal to acquire several of Blackpool’s most iconic landmarks. This £38.9 million agreement, backed by both national and local governments, included Blackpool Tower, Winter Gardens, Louis Tussauds Waxworks, and the Sea Life… Read more »