Hickory’s Smokehouse in Thornton-Cleveleys launched on 22 September 2023. The restaurant opened in the former Iron Horse pub on Fleetwood Road North. It’s described as an American-style BBQ restaurant specializing in Southern-inspired food and drink.
On Saturday, 1 July 2023, Club 3000 Bingo officially opened its latest venue at Festival Leisure Park in Blackpool, marking a significant milestone as the company’s 24th club across the UK. This new venue represents a £5 million investment, transforming the former Swift Hound Pub site into a modern, state-of-the-art bingo hall designed to offer an exceptional experience for both regular players and newcomers alike. The grand opening was a spectacular affair, drawing over 800 guests who enjoyed an evening filled with entertainment and celebration. Highlights included a captivating magic show by Craig Harper, as well as special appearances from… Read more »
For a true taste of Blackpool Metro heritage, you can visit the two historic trams now located at Brickhouse Farm Cottages, a family-operated holiday retreat dedicated to accessibility and inclusivity. The Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust had been seeking to find new homes for their trams for some time. While many were dismantled for parts, set 3 was fortunate to be preserved at Brickhouse Farm Cottages in Hambleton. On 6 December 2023, the final two 1930s Fylde Coast trams were saved from what has locally become known as ‘the tram graveyard’. According to a Facebook post, the trams, which were the… Read more »
Michael Davies is a versatile writer whose work spans stage, screen, radio, online platforms, and print. In October 2024, he released Thin Ice, the latest instalment in the Bill Kemp series, following Outback, which was published by HarperCollins in May 2023. The series features the protagonist Bill Kemp—described by Jeffrey Deaver as “part James Bond, part Philip Marlowe, and all hero”. Kemp originally appeared in Desmond Bagley’s posthumously published thriller Domino Island, which Michael was commissioned to complete in 2019. Outback serves as a spiritual sequel, honouring Bagley’s legacy in the centenary year of his birth. Desmond Bagley himself had… Read more »
Local writer David Hogarth hosted a soft launch of his memoir recounting his life growing up in Blackpool. David Simper popped along to find out more. After a little bus confusion due to one company’s real time information system announcing a bus that doesn’t exist, I caught the alternative service 61 down to town and walked down to the Tea Amantes cafe and gallery, for local author David Hogarth’s book launch. The word had certainly got round for this one and by the time I got there, the place was packed. I recognised David as a regular at the excellent… Read more »
Brassic cast members Michelle Keegan, Tom Hanson, Bronagh Gallagher, Aaron Heffernan, Carl Rice, and Muzz Khan run riot on a Blackpool pier and try their luck in the arcade in season 5. Reeling from the dramatic events of the Series 4 finale, Vinnie and the gang face big repercussions from their entanglements with the dangerous MacDonagh brothers and powerful drug buyer Manolito. With both criminal big-wigs now on his case, Vinnie needs to negotiate his exit strategy – and fast. But there’s a lot on his mind, especially as he’s still trying to figure out what the hell is going… Read more »
An unusual incident at Blackpool Tower on 28 December 2023 resulted in emergency services responding to what was initially thought to be a fire near the iconic structure’s viewing platform. However, the supposed flames turned out to be orange netting blowing in the wind, creating an illusion of fire. The situation escalated when images and videos shared on social media seemed to show flames at the top of the 158-meter-high tower. Lancashire Fire and Rescue, taking the reports seriously, dispatched six fire engines, a drone team, and climbing specialists to the scene. The police helicopter later clarified that no fire… Read more »
Kila Redfearn was officially appointed by the Squire of Lytham, Lord of the Manor on Sunday, 12 March 2023 at Lytham Hall. She has made history by becoming Lytham’s first female town crier. As a town crier, she will often need to get loud, but the post requires other more important qualities, such as having a big personality, a caring heart, an engaging sense of fun, and a love of fancy dress. As a 54-year-old mother of four children and two grandchildren, she most certainly fits the bill. She is also the head of charity for Blue Skies, the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals... Read more »
In 2023, a state-of-the-art £6 million Community Sports Village opened at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone, marking the completion of the first phase of the zone’s development. The Common Edge Community Sports Village is a flagship facility, boasting 14 new grass football pitches, a full-sized floodlit 3G football pitch, a floodlit rugby pitch with a dedicated training area, and a modern sports pavilion designed to support both athletes and the wider community. The pavilion features six spacious changing rooms, two officials’ rooms, two kitchens, and a large community room, offering a welcoming and practical space for teams and local residents alike…. Read more »
Abingdon Street Market in Blackpool reopened on 27 May 2023 after a long period of closure, bringing new life to the area. With its eclectic mix of independent food vendors, bars, and coffee shops, it has quickly become a popular destination for both locals and visitors. The market has exceeded initial expectations for footfall and business projections, and the operating team, The Little Blackpool Leisure Company, is excited to continue developing the space. Their focus is on expanding the market’s retail offerings and rolling out further phases of recruitment to attract more independent retailers, while continuing to offer unique entertainment… Read more »